Successful fundraising for charities relies on ‘attention seeking’

Having recently been accused in the media of being for 'attention seekers,' one iStudent argues why charity work is fun and important for fundraisers to get credit for their input

(Flickr (Howard Lake))

By its very nature, fundraising for charity is ‘attention seeking’. Whether it be running a marathon, bungee jumping, or hitchhiking. In order to raise a good amount of money the, fundraisers must attract attention. This can be done by taking part in fancy dress, doing something extreme, scary, or disgusting. The aim of the game is to shock, surprise, and humour. Why else would this kind or fundraising be so popular and successful?

Universities across the UK hold a huge fundraiser called Jailbreak where participants must attempt to get as far away from their university as possible - in 36 hours - without spending any money on travel. Participants’ success is down to the sheer kindness of the general public, who are encouraged to let the participants hitch a ride, buy them tickets for transportation, or donate money towards their travel expenses. Participants are also allowed to tweet or email celebrities and companies in advance, requesting free travel.

As the event takes place, competitors are encouraged to tweet, blog, Instagram, Facebook, Periscope their journey to the world, attracting attention and, hopefully, more donations over the 36 hours. Not only this, but they dress up in eye-catching onesies, or as famous landmarks. Spreading out across the world in a weekend, not only do they captivate the public, but they raise money and awareness.

Recently, Jailbreak has been accused of being an event for “attention seekers.” The event is a chance for groups or friends to have fun, bag a free vacation all the while getting credit for their charitable work.

Yet, the argument in favour of Jailbreak - or other such fundraising events - is surely quite obvious. The element of fun and adventure has such wide appeal that competitors raise money for charity just for the chance to take part. The more people, the more money raised.

Those who do not take part keep up-to-date with competitors via social media, creating wider awareness for the cause, the charities - and the event itself. More people will want to get involved in years to come and smaller charities get recognition.

The Red Lipstick Foundation was one very small charity which benefited from this year’s Jailbreak and Jacqui Missen, the founder, praised fundraising. The charity began just over a year ago and helps families and individuals suffering from the aftermath of a suicide. Based primarily in Southampton, Missen emphasised the local help the charity gives.

Despite being local, the charity still needs wide awareness and money for counselling, amongst other things. The wider the awareness, the more money donated. The more money donated, the more of a difference the Red Lipstick Foundation can make.

Missen said: “Something like Jailbreak raised so much awareness for us as a charity. I’ve had a number of messages saying what we’re doing is great - because people have lost somebody - and a lot of that has come from the people who have done Jailbreak and various other fundraising events.”

Missen also expanded on the idea that certain fundraisers may attract people who simply want some fun rather than to raise money for a good cause: “My personal opinion is that, if someone fundraises for a charity, it has to be fun for that person as well.”

If you take away the fun from a FUNdraiser, many would not will take part. It doesn’t matter why people do it - as long as they do it. Besides, you should not question the success of this kind of fundraising. Southampton RAG raised more than £11,000 for Jailbreak 2015, something not to be looked down at.

All in all, what harm does taking part cause? Evidently, it does more good than bad and charities - such as the Red Lipstick Foundation - benefit in more ways than just donations.

Twitter: @alicetotheskies