Yes and no. If you're unsure, it's always best to contact us, we’ll happily advise you on the best course of action!

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We’re incredibly grateful to anyone who wants to support our work, and we want to make sure all fundraising efforts are carried out safely and legally. Depending on what you’re planning, you may not need formal permission or licenses from local authorities but some activities (especially those held in public spaces or involving collections, or ticketed events) might require approval or permits.

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By getting in touch with us beforehand:

• We can let you know whether any permissions or licenses are needed

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• We can provide helpful resources, like banners, sponsorship forms or collection pots.

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• We can issue an official letter of support or authorisation if required.

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• We may even be able to help promote your activity to our supporters!

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So while you don't always need permission, checking in with us first helps ensure your fundraiser is both successful and compliant, and gives us the chance to thank you properly for your amazing efforts.

Starting your fundraising journey is easier than you might think, and we’re here to support you every step of the way! Here’s how to begin:

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• Choose Your Activity: Think about what kind of fundraiser excites you — it could be a sponsored walk, a bake sale, a virtual challenge, or something creative you come up with yourself. Consider what fits your interests, schedule, and resources. We have a handy list of DIY activities on our fundraising page.

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• Plan Your Event: Outline the details like when, where, and how you’ll carry out your fundraising activity. If it’s an event, think about the venue, refreshments, permissions, and any materials you’ll need. We might be able to help, get in touch!

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• Register with Us: Let us know about your plans! By registering your fundraiser with The Kit Wilson Trust, you’ll gain access to support, advice, and promotional materials like donation buckets, posters, and sponsorship forms.

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• Spread the Word: Start telling your friends, family, and community about your fundraiser early. Use social media, local groups, and word of mouth to generate excitement and support.

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• Contact Us: We can help provide donation pots, collection buckets, banners, sponsorship forms, and general guidance.

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Remember, every effort makes a difference to the animals we care for, and your enthusiasm is invaluable. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance getting started!

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Promoting your fundraising event effectively can make a huge difference in reaching your goals and engaging your community. Here are some tips and ideas to help you spread the word:

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• Social Media: Use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn to share your event details, fundraising progress, and stories about why you’re supporting The Kit Wilson Trust. Create event pages, post regular updates, and encourage friends and family to share your posts to reach a wider audience. Using photos and videos can really boost engagement!

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• Local Community Groups: Share your event with local community centres, clubs, churches, schools, and sports teams. Many have newsletters, notice boards, or social media pages where they can promote your event for free.

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• Word of Mouth: Don’t underestimate the power of personal connections. Tell your friends, family, and colleagues about your fundraiser and ask them to spread the word. Face-to-face conversations, phone calls, and group chats are great ways to build enthusiasm.

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• Flyers and Posters: Design simple flyers or posters and place them in community hubs, libraries, shops, cafes, and notice boards where people gather. Make sure to include clear information about the event, date, time, location, and how people can get involved or donate.

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• Local Media: Reach out to local newspapers or radio stations, many local media outlets have dedicated social media teams who may help to spread the word! Many are happy to feature charity events, especially those with a local impact. Prepare a brief press release or personal story about why you’re fundraising to share with them.

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• Partner with Local Businesses: Ask local shops or businesses if they would display your event materials or support your fundraiser in other ways. Sometimes they might sponsor your event or offer prizes for raffles or competitions.

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• Use Our Support: We can help by providing promotional materials like posters, logos, and social media graphics. Contact us early so we can assist with your promotional efforts and offer advice tailored to your event.

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Sponsored activities are a fantastic and fun way to raise money for The Kit Wilson Trust while doing something you enjoy or challenging yourself! Here’s how it works:

• Choose Your Activity: Decide on an activity or challenge that you’d like to do. This could be anything from a sponsored walk, run, cycle, or swim, to a sky dive, shave your head, stay silent for a day, or even something creative like a bake-off or a talent show. The possibilities are endless!

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• Ask for Sponsors: Reach out to friends, family, colleagues, or your local community and ask them to sponsor your activity. Sponsors pledge to donate a certain amount of money in support of your efforts. For example, they might give £1 for every mile you run or a fixed donation just to encourage you.

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• Use a Sponsorship Form: We can provide you with a KWT sponsorship form to help keep track of who is sponsoring you and how much they’ve pledged. This makes it easier to collect donations and add Gift Aid after you’ve completed your activity. Find out more about how Gift Aid works here.

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• Plan and Prepare: Get ready for your activity! If it’s a physical challenge, train safely and take any necessary precautions. If it’s something like a sponsored silence or shave, plan the timing and let your sponsors know when and how you’ll be doing it.

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• Complete Your Activity: Carry out your sponsored activity with pride! Remember, the effort you put in is inspiring and motivates people to support your cause, make sure you share every step with your supporters.

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• Collect Donations: After you’ve completed your activity, collect the donations pledged by your sponsors. You can collect cash, cheques, or encourage them to donate online via your fundraising page if you set one up. Contact us if you need help setting up an online fundraising page or if you have any questions about paying in your fundraising money.

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• Celebrate your achievement with us: Let us and your sponsors know how much you raised and celebrate your achievement! Sharing photos or stories of your activity is a great way to inspire others to get involved.

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Sponsored activities are a win-win: you get to challenge yourself or have fun, and every pound raised helps us care for and re-home animals in need.

If you’d like help planning your sponsored activity or need sponsorship forms and materials, please get in touch. We’re here to support you every step of the way!

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Yes, absolutely! Virtual fundraising is a fantastic and flexible way to support The Kit Wilson Trust from anywhere, allowing you to connect with a wider community of supporters near and far.

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You can easily set up online fundraising pages on platforms like JustGiving, to collect donations for your chosen challenge or activity. Virtual fundraisers can include online runs, cycling challenges, fitness goals, bake sales, or even online quizzes and auctions; all done remotely but still bringing people together for our animals.

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Social media campaigns are another powerful way to spread the word and engage your network. By sharing your fundraising journey, challenges, or special events on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or X, you can inspire your friends, family, and followers to support your efforts.

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If you’d like advice or support setting up your virtual fundraiser or online donation page, we’re here to help! Please get in touch with us.

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For help with launching and promoting social media campaigns, contact us through any of our social channels listed at the bottom of this page.

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Virtual fundraising is a great way to make a difference, no matter where you are, while connecting with a community that shares your passion for helping animals in need.

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If you’re eager to help but unsure where to start, don’t worry, you’re not alone, and we’re here to support you every step of the way! Fundraising can take many forms, big or small, and there’s no one “right” way to make a difference.

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We have plenty of tried-and-tested ideas, from events like bake sales, sponsored walks, and quiz nights to creative activities you can do online or with your friends, family, or community groups. Whether you want something simple or a bit more adventurous, we can help suggest an idea to suit your interests, skills, and available time.

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You can also join our Fundraising & Events team as a volunteer to help out at local fundraising events and collaborate with others on fundraising ideas for KWT. It’s a great way to get involved, meet like-minded people, and make a real difference together. Apply to volunteer HERE.

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Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us provide love, care, and new homes to animals in need. So please reach out and let us help you find the perfect way to get involved and make a real difference for The Kit Wilson Trust.

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Contact us to start your fundraising journey today!

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Yes, you absolutely can! Whether it’s helping to cover the cost of medical treatment for a rescued animal, supporting the building of new facilities, or funding charitable activities, your targeted fundraising makes a direct and powerful impact for the animals in our care.

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If there’s an animal or a project you feel passionate about, please let us know! We can provide you with detailed information and stories to help you share your cause with potential supporters.

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Fundraising for a specific goal can be highly motivating, both for you and our supporters, as you can see the tangible benefits of your efforts and celebrate milestones along the way.

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To discuss which animals or projects are currently in need of support, or to get help with your fundraiser, please get in touch with us.

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We’re excited to work alongside you and ensure your fundraising journey is rewarding and impactful.

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Gift Aid is a government scheme that allows UK charities to claim an extra 25p for every £1 you donate, at no additional cost to you. It helps your donation go further and provides vital extra funding for our work, just by completing a simple declaration.

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To qualify, you must be a UK taxpayer and have paid at least as much in Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax during the tax year as the charity will claim on your donations. It won’t affect your tax status, and you can cancel your declaration at any time.

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How to add Gift Aid to your donation:

• Online donations: You’ll be prompted to consider Gift Aiding your online donation when visiting our donation page. From here, you fill in the required details and confirm your taxpayer status on our Gift Aid Declaration form.

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• In person: You can visit one of our charity shops with your donation and fill in a Gift Aid Declaration at the time of donation.

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• By post: You can download a Gift Aid Declaration form HERE or contact us.

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• Already donated? You can still complete a Gift Aid Declaration for past eligible donations (up to four years back).

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If you're unsure about your eligibility or have questions about the process, feel free to contact us, we’re happy to help. Adding Gift Aid is one of the simplest and most effective ways to support the animals in our care.

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Find full details on how Gift Aid works on our Gift Aid Page.

Thank you so much for your incredible support! Once you’ve collected donations from your fundraising activities, there are several easy ways to send the money to us:

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• Online: You can make a secure donation through our website using the “Donate” button. This is quick, easy, and can accept one-off donations.
• Bank transfer: If you have collected cash or cheques and would like to pay by bank transfer, please contact us for our account details.
• In person: You can bring cash or cheques to any of our charity shops located across East Sussex, our friendly staff will be happy to assist you.
• By post: Send a cheque payable to The Kit Wilson Trust to our postal address.
• Online fundraising platforms: If you’ve used a platform like JustGiving, Virgin Money Giving, or GoFundMe, donations will usually be transferred directly to us once your campaign ends.

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However you decide to pay in your money, please do contact us as we would love to speak with you and express our gratitude for your support!

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Absolutely! We love working with businesses, organisations, and local groups that want to make a real difference in their community.

There are several ways you can get involved:

• Charity of the Year: Choose KWT as your charity partner for the year and fundraise with us through internal events, staff challenges, or customer-facing promotions.

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• Matched giving: Many businesses offer to match the fundraising efforts of their employees, doubling the impact of staff-led initiatives.

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• Sponsorship: Sponsor one of our events or fundraising campaigns and benefit from positive exposure while supporting a great cause

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• In-kind donations: Support us by donating services, raffle prizes, supplies, or professional expertise that helps our work go further.

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• Payroll giving: Make it easy for your employees to give regularly through a payroll deduction scheme. Find out more about Give As You Earn (GAYE) at the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF).

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• Host a fundraiser: Organise coffee mornings, dress-down days, bake sales, quizzes, or fitness challenges at your workplace.

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• Donate end of line stock: Unsold or surplus items from your business can be donated to our shops to help generate income for our work and is a fantastic way to reduce waste.

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We’re always open to ideas and collaborations and would love to hear from businesses that share our passion for animal welfare and community support.

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Get in touch with us to discuss how your company can get involved, whether you’re a small local shop or a large organisation, we’d love to partner with you.

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