Join Together Fundraising
‘Come on, get up!’ I strain my eyes open enough to distinguish the outline of my face to face fundraising team leader Ryan, dancing rather inappropriately at the end of my bed. Urgh – he’s far too energetic and enthusiastic for my liking! Tugging off my duvet cover, Ryan indicates that it’s time for us to be leaving soon – so I jump in the shower, get myself ready; and with just enough time to grab a piece of toast and slurp down somecoffee, I hop into the car with the rest of my team.
Today we’re off to Plymouth, where I’ve been warned to pay special attention to the hazardous seagulls that roam the city’s region by Rob. He’s a great friend on my team who was fundraising here a few months ago. He had just bought a ridiculously large hot dog for his lunch, when a seagullswooped in for the kill and nabbed it from his grasp. And Mr Gully certainly wasn’t polite about it! It definitely gave the rest of his team something to laugh about!
We arrive and put on our charity T-shirts and fleece jackets; clipboards at the ready. And so the day begins…
“Hello sir…could you spare a mome..”
“No.” I don’t finish my sentence – the man in the dark suit, holding a leather suitcase frowns at me and manoeuvres his way to the other side of the high street.
“Hello! How are you?” This time a lady with bright orange lipstick and wearing a khaki tracksuit doesn’t even acknowledge my existence and stares straight through me as though I’m some kind of apparition.
This is something I’ve not only had to get used to, but also accept and respect. Not everyone is willing or has the means to support charities – and I know I can’t take these responses personally.
As such, I hold my head high and remember why I’m here. I had a hard upbringing…and without going into too much detail, I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for an incredible charity that cared and helped me through that challenging time. So already, I felt passionate about the work that charities do. I also wanted an occupation where I could get real job satisfaction and make adifference – despite people’s criticisms of street fundraising what we do does make a difference. So, becoming a fundraiser was the perfect option – I can help make sure that charities continue their amazing work so that there is always someone there for those who need support.
I’ve tried to stop at least 70 people and managed to speak to 3 and then I catch someone’s gaze and I smile – they smile back. Wow! And we start talking – about the weather, her job, family and my charity. She’s so impressed by the charity’s work that she wants to start supporting it immediately, by giving a long term donation via direct debit giving, she signs up.
Such a lovely lady, and I leave the conversation feeling very cheerful and in high spirits.
6 O’clock approaches, and the whole team combined have signed up 19 people who want to support our charity. 19 people! And that’s just one day.
As I clamber back into the car to head back to our accommodation, ready for dinner – Rob haspromised to cook, and a relaxing night in with the guys, I feel something splat against my neck and drizzle onto my jacket.
“Erghhh” I squeal, whilst all my ‘friends’ laugh and point at a squawking seagull flying overhead.
We’re street fundraising in the Leeds area next week – no seagulls there thank goodness.
