Every single penny raised for Candlelighters really can make a huge difference to peoples’ lives.

While the overall aim is to raise lots of money and have fun, there are a few things to bear in mind to ensure all participants stay safe and operate legally.

We’ve compiled a list of five key areas to think about when organising your event:

1) Health and Safety
Use common sense. While health and safety concerns will vary depending on the size and type of your event, where appropriate follow equipment instructions and the advice of any professionals supervising your event.

Please make sure you are adequately insured if you are taking part in a potentially dangerous activity e.g. bungee or parachute jumping, abseiling etc.  Most insurance policies exclude such high-risk pursuits and Candlelighters cannot accept liability for any injury you may sustain as a result of fundraising activities.  

For events involving food and drink – ensure you and your participants practice good food hygiene.  

For more information, visit the Health and Safety Executive at Hse.gov.uk or the Food Standards Agency at Food.gov.uk

2) Lotteries
Lotteries, such as raffles and tombolas, have associated gambling laws.  Get in touch with your local authority before holding any type of lottery.   For more information, go to Lotteries and raffles

 3) Data protection
You may record people’s details during your fundraising event, but it’s important to make use of this information in accordance with the Data Protection Act.  Rules include: not keeping information about people any longer than necessary and not sharing it with others without permission. 
For full details, visit: Lco.gov.uk

 4) Get permission
Most people will be very courteous when they know a worthwhile fundraising event is taking place, but always ask permission, especially if holding an event in a workplace, venue, public place etc.  Before organising a walk, run, cycle ride etc. you should contact the police and local authority to ensure they have no objections.

 5) Fund-gathering
If you would like to raise funds on our behalf, please write to us to obtain written permission.  Once this is done, you should show the Candlelighters Registered Charity No.1045077 on all posters, advertisements etc. If you are dividing the profits between more than one charity, this and the percentage of the split should be shown on all printed documents and announced at the event. Keep a simple Income and Expenditure Account and save the receipts for any payments you make in connection with the event.

Street collections and house-to-house collections usually require a permit or licence from the appropriate local authority.  Collection boxes must have tamperproof seals and be returned to us unopened - please make sure you have permission from the manager\owner when organising a collection on private premises e.g. supermarkets, shopping centres, theatres, public houses etc. 

Collecting boxes at private events should be returned unopened to Candlelighters.  The exception to this is if you are organising a special collection for which we have given permission for the boxes to be opened and the contents counted.  Permission will usually be granted if the collection is part of a special event.  Two or more of the committee organising the event should be present when the boxes are counted and the amounts countersigned.

For further information on how to organise your own event log on to How2fundraise.org. This website has lot of ideas and information about fundraising to help you get started.