Community Christmas Hub
Fundraise for your local air ambulance charity this Christmas
Are you thinking about fundraising this Christmas, why not do it in aid of KSS. We have a number of fun festive ways you can support us, from lighting up your house, hosting a festive cuppa or organising a tractor parade. Every day we’re here for millions of people across Kent, Surrey and Sussex, can you help keep us flying and saving lives this Christmas. Get in touch today and let our community team know what you will be doing this festive season, we can’t wait to hear from you! Rachel, Ruby, Fran and Emily.
Fundraising ideas
Christmas bauble raffle
Christmas light display
Tractor run
Christmas quiz
Afternoon tea
Xmas fairs/market
Santa Grotto
Host a Roast
Christmas tree festival
Xmas Wear Red / Xmas Jumper
Want to check out what our brilliant supporters are getting up to this Christmas?
Interested in fundraising for us? Fill out the form below to gain access to a wealth of fundraising ideas, assets, and support.
Fundraising FAQs
Cash handling
If cash will be taken at an event, make sure that you have plans in place to keep and count it somewhere safe and secure. When collecting or taking payments, make sure that the cash is secure by using a sealed collection bucket/box or a lockable cash box.
Wherever possible, have two people available to count or transport cash, and take it to the bank as soon after the event as is convenient. If you need to transport the cash we suggest concealing any charity branding where possible.
To avoid handling cash, online donation platforms such as JustGiving can be used to collect sponsorship and donations. People can also pay directly to us on our website www.aakss.org.uk/donate – just make sure they reference your event as the reason for donating.
Collections
Public collections are those that will take place on public land – such as, public roads. These are governed by strict legal requirements and must be licensed by the Local Authority/Council. Before you approach your local authority for a licence we suggest contacting our fundraising team who can offer advice.
Private collections take place on private premises and do not need the permission of the local authority. If you’re organising a private collection, for example inside a train station or at a supermarket, you need the permission of the owner of the premises.
Suppliers
If you’re planning to use any external suppliers for equipment or services, please make sure you use a reputable company and ask to for a copy of their Public Liability Insurance, risk assessment and food hygiene certificate etc. in advance. If anything looks unsafe on the day, stop the activity immediately.
Data protection
Make sure any electronic or paper record you keep about people involved in a fundraising event complies with data protection law. Don’t keep information about people any longer than you have to, and don’t share information or data about someone without their permission. More information can be found at the Information Commissioner’s Office.
Event, alcohol and public entertainment licenses
If your event involves the sale of alcohol and/or live or recorded music, dancing, showing of a film or performance of a play, an indoor sporting event you may need a licence.
You can check whether your event will require a public entertainment or alcohol licence on the Government’s website. Your event venue may already hold a licence, but if not, you will need to apply for a ‘Temporary Events Notice’ (TEN) via your local authority. This comes at a small cost. You can begin the application process online.
First aid
Depending on the number of people involved at the event, the type of activity they’re doing and what first aid facilities may already be provided at the venue, you may need to consider first aid provision at your event. If you think you might need first aid support, check with an organisation such as St John’s Ambulance or the Red Cross. They will be able to advise you further and can also provide first aid support for your event, should this be required.
Food hygiene
Please take great care when handling food and work to basic rules for safe preparation, storage, display and cooking.
The Food Standards Agency provides guidelines for preparing, handling and cooking food. This section of their website is useful for people organising charity and community events involving food. If you are using a caterer, you will need to ensure that they have a food hygiene certificate and public liability insurance. Further information can be found on the NHS Choices website and from your local authority.
Health and safety
KSS cannot accept liability for any loss, damage or injury suffered by yourself or anyone else as a result of taking part in an aid of event.
Events need to be adequately risk-assessed to identify, reduce and control any risks to members of the public who may be attending. It is best practice to complete a risk assessment form to show that you have considered and mitigated any potential risks around your event, but it is not a legal requirement unless the organiser is an employer.
For further help on how to complete a risk assessment or health and safety guidance please visit Health and Safety Executive.
In addition to health and safety issues, please consider possible risks to KSS’s reputation. If the nature of your event may be considered controversial by some, contact our fundraising team on 01634 471900.
Insurance
By organising your own fundraising event in aid of KSS, you’re responsible for ensuring that the event poses no risk to others. Please check that any buildings or equipment that you hire are covered it can often be included in the hire fee.
You may need to consider arranging public liability cover for some events particularly for public or hazardous events, which will protect you against claims made by third parties for injury or property damage as a result of negligence. For private events this may not be necessary. Please seek advice if you are unsure.
Publicity materials
Please ensure that all promotional materials for your event specify that it is ‘in aid of’ KSS. You will find an in aid of logo in the pack to download.
Raffles, lotteries and prize draws
There are strict legal requirements about the organisation of raffles, lotteries and prize draws. Information about these rules can be found at the Gambling Commission however below is some simple guidance that may prove useful:
Incidental raffle – If you’re planning a raffle or other game of chance (such as a tombola or duck race) as part of a fundraising event, this would be an incidental lottery/raffle and does not require a licence, providing tickets are sold on that day. Further advice can be found on the Gambling Commision’s website or by clicking here
Selling raffle/lottery tickets in advance
If you wish to sell tickets in advance, or to people not attending the event, you need to ensure you check the guidance offered by the Gambling Commision here or speak to your local authority regarding a local lottery licence.
A lottery has these three elements:
- Payment to enter
- Chance determines the winner (could be a tombola or draw)
- Prize if you win
If you wish to sell tickets in advance you must remove one of the three elements by:
- Make the tickets available for a donation only – known as a free prize draw. You should always let people know there is a free route of entry and avoid using minimum donation
- Introduce an element of skill – known as a prize competition such as answering a question
Free prize draws and prize competitions are regulated by Advertising Standard Authority CAP Code and should always have terms and conditions.
PLEASE NOTE – It is not possible for supporters to use our KSS lottery licence as this is used for our main lottery draw.
If you’re planning a raffle and unsure of the regulations please don’t hesitate to contact the fundraising team beforehand, we’ll be able to help and advise.
There is further useful information on organising your own event on the following websites Fundraising Regulator, Institute of Fundraising and UK Government
