A typical fundraising journey
Whether this is the first time you have ever fundraised, your first time fundraising for Macmillan, or you are a fundraising pro, every journey is different. But there are similarities in terms of the practical challenges you might face or the emotions you may experience.
Why we need you
We need people like you to help us raise vital funds for people living with cancer. A massive thank you for doing so!
It is because of people like you who raise money that Macmillan can provide vital cancer services, research and campaign to achieve better cancer care, and support the cancer workforce.
We have put together some practical information to help prepare you for event day and beyond, as well as some tips and advice to make sure you have the best time fundraising for Macmillan.
Stage 1 - Start of the journey
Practical
- Decide what you want to do: By this point you have probably already decided how you want to fundraise for Macmillan. If you haven’t then you can always search for an event or take a look at a number of ways you could create your own event.
- Share the news / start fundraising: Once you’ve decided what your fundraising event is, it’s time to share the news and start fundraising. We have lots of helpful advice to kickstart your fundraising.
Emotional
The below are a couple of common emotions at this stage but however you're feeling we've got your back.
- Excited: We want you to feel so excited about becoming part of Team Macmillan and knowing that you have the support of our fundraising team. It’s going to be an adventure.
- Nervous: While we know many people are super excited to get started, we also understand that fundraising isn’t always plain sailing. It’s common to feel nervous and ask yourself questions. What have I taken on? Can I do it? Will I be able to raise enough money? All of these thoughts are perfectly normal, but you’ve got this. And we’re here to help, every step of the way.
Stage 2 - Ongoing fundraising
Practical
- Training plans: If you’re doing a physical challenge then you’re probably going to want to be in the best shape possible for event day. Check out our range of training plans.
- Connect with others: One of the best things about fundraising is the opportunity to meet like-minded people who all share the same goal. We want you to feel part of Team Macmillan all the way. Keep an eye out for emails, which will direct you to suitable social media groups so you can connect with other people fundraising for Macmillan.
- Balancing life with fundraising: Finding a balance between work life and home can be hard. Add training and fundraising to that mix as well, and things can be a challenge. Check out our advice on keeping the balance right.
Emotional
- Underprepared and overwhelmed when it comes to planning: Training for or planning an event can be really hard and leave you with feelings of having too much to do, but things are very rarely straightforward and will be full of ups and downs.
- Worried about getting donations and hitting target: If you’re worried about hitting your fundraising target then we have some great tips and advice to help you reach your goal. If you continue to worry, you can always get in touch with the fundraising team who will do everything they can to help.
Stage 3 - Day before / On the day
Practical
- Getting everything ready: There's lots to remember the day before an event, so you want to make sure you don’t leave packing everything you need until the night before or morning of the event. Be prepared and take a look at our checklist of crucial items to make sure you have everything ready.
- Share the day with supporters / fundraise on day: Everything has been building up to this day. You’ll want to share the experience with all the people who have supported you along the way. We have some great advice for keeping your supporters updated on the day.
Emotional
- Excited and confident: The night before an event and the day itself can fill you with a mix of emotions. But take confidence in how you have prepared, and excitement in looking forward to achieving what you have set out to do.
- Nervous and not ready: These feelings are both likely and understandable. Things don’t always go perfectly in the lead up to event day, and having nervousness is completely normal. Just remember that your efforts are making a huge difference to people living with cancer, and without people like you Macmillan couldn’t be there to do whatever it takes to support them.
Stage 4 - After your event day
Practical
- Celebrate: Give yourself a huge pat on the back. You've done it!
- Paying money in: Any money that has been raised through JustGiving or other fundraising platforms will be automatically sent to us, but there are also other ways to pay in your fundraising money.
- Find next challenge: Once you have taken a while to let your achievement sink in, you might be looking for your next challenge or other ways in which you can support Macmillan.
Emotional
- Tired: Fundraising can take a lot out of you emotionally and physically. You may feel tired, but we have some tips and advice on recovering after your event.
- Proud: You have achieved an amazing thing for a fantastic cause, so you should definitely feel proud! Every penny that people like you fundraise means we can continue to do whatever it takes to support people living with cancer.