Taking part in an event for charity is the perfect way to combine a challenge with fundraising. We have rounded up ten of the most popular to give you some ideas and inspiration.
1. Run a marathon
Running the gruelling 26.2 miles (42.16km) of a marathon will be an experience you remember for the rest of your life, and raising money for charity while you do it will only serve to make the day even more special. If you start your fundraising well before your race then it’s possible to raise a huge amount of money, and your chosen charity will offer much needed help and encouragement along the way in return. As an added bonus at the end of your marathon journey you’ll be stronger, fitter and healthier, burning off over 2,000 calories in the race alone.
2. Charity fun run
If you want to run to raise money for charity but don’t want to jump in at the marathon deep-end there are still plenty of options open to you. A 3k or 5k fun run is the perfect distance for novice runners, and these are often set up directly by charities themselves. The next step up would be a 10k or even a half marathon; both tough events but still very doable if you put the training in. You never know, you might find yourself loving your charity fun run experience so much that you are inspired to run a full marathon.
3. Charity trek
Not many people can say they’ve trekked along the endless winding expanse of the Great Wall of China or tackled the dramatic slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro, and even fewer can say they did it while raising money for a good cause. Taking part in a charity trekking expedition is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and if you’ve got the time and dedication to take on the challenge then it’s an absolute must for adventure lovers who want to make a difference.
4. Swim for charity
Make a splash for your favourite charity by taking part in a sponsored swim. This can be done in an indoor pool, or for the more adventurous amongst you there is the option of a challenging open water swim. Not only is swimming a great money-raising challenge for charity, as a non-load bearing activity it is also the perfect way to recover from any injuries you might have, as well as reducing stress levels.
5. Cycle for charity
It helps you get fitter, can be done relatively cheaply all over the world and allows you to raise funds for a cause of your choice – what’s not to love about a long distance charity cycle ride? The miles you will be covering are also a great excuse to get a friend involved in the challenge as well, which will mean you don’t get bored on the long rides and the charity gets double the money – everybody’s a winner!
6. Triathlon for charity
If running, swimming or cycling seem too easy on their own, why not take on the three all at once? The triple-headed challenge of a triathlon is not to be taken lightly, but if you can put the time and effort into your training it’s a hugely rewarding experience and a highly effective charity fundraising method. Remember to balance your training equally between the three disciplines, unless one is particularly weak and needs some extra work.
7. Walk for charity
Charity walks are the perfect family fundraising event, and they give you a great chance to experience the great outdoors in the process. Don’t make the mistake of thinking all walks are for the faint of heart though. As well as the shorter events there are some truly tough long distance walks out there you can take part in for charity, which will test even the fittest of participants.
8. Skydive or bungee jump for charity
Attention thrill-seekers: why not raise money for charity when you take on your next adrenaline-fuelled challenge? Throwing yourself out of a plane or off a cliff takes some serious guts, so hopefully your family and friends will respond in kind with some generous donations. This is an especially effective fundraising technique if you are the kind of person who would normally never do something like this, as people will be impressed that you are taking the plunge and letting out your inner daredevil.
9. Attend an event for charity
For the less active of you out there you’ll be happy to hear that not all charity events require you to shed some sweat. Charities regularly hold events such as gala balls , shopping trips and concerts where your ticket price and any donations will go directly to the charity’s fundraising efforts. Events like this are also a chance to meet other likeminded people who support charities, which could come in handy for hearing about other events in the future.
10. Corporate charity challenge
Businesses are always looking for ways to promote bonding and teamwork within the company, so why not impress your boss by suggesting a corporate charity challenge? Corporate charity challenges can be anything from white water rafting to hikes – anything that will get you out the office and bonding as a team. Team building exercises are always a good laugh and by the end of your challenge you’ll have raised loads of money for charity and found out more about your colleagues.
Feeling inspired? Why not view our list of Partner Charities and pick a great cause to support.
