I've signed up to run an event for charity, but I'm struggling to raise enough money. How can I let more people know about my challenge?

The simple answer is, there’s no substitute for getting out there and telling people! The more people you contact the greater your chances of getting people to dig deep into their pockets.

Don’t worry though, getting your message out doesn’t mean you have to knock on endless doors or strike up conversations with complete strangers. Social Media is a fantastic tool for spreading the word – so harness its power to the full. Use Instagram, if you have it, as pictures always work well to capture people’s attention. You can also share the pictures to your Facebook and Twitter pages via the Instagram app, and the more channels you use, the more people will know about your efforts.

To encourage people to donate, you need to create excitement about what you’re doing. Post pictures of yourself out training and keep people up-to-date on your progress. Many people plan to donate but forget before they get round to it, so regular updates will jog people’s memories. Also, if they see you really working hard in training, they are more likely to feel compelled to donate.

Social Media is also a really good way of letting people know about the cause you’re helping, what they do and why you’ve decided to support them. Maybe even try tweeting the charity you’re running for. If they retweet your message, or reply to your tweet, many more people will hear about your challenge.

Talking to friends and colleagues in person will also have an impact. Mention your training and how it’s going, as it’s likely they intend to donate but haven’t quite got round to it. Also, don’t panic if you haven’t quote reached your target on the day. Remember to share pictures of you completing the challenge, as seeing all your efforts is likely to encourage many more people to donate.