Holding a coffee morning for Great Ormond Street Hospital is a great way of raising money and with our 'how to guide' it really is as easy as 1, 2, 3.
1. Location, location, location
2. Putting the fun into fundraising
3. Plan your way to success
4. Maximise your fundraising
5. Money, money, money
6. Keep it safe and legal
Now you’ve decided what you’re going to do, you need to decide where you’re going to do it.
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Keep it small and intimate and have it at home - if you normally meet your friends at the local coffee shop, invite them round to your house and ask them to donate what they would have spent.
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Get your boss on board and hold a charity coffee break at work.
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What about other places you go to and know lots of people (for example your church, mother and toddler group or rotary club?) You could hold the coffee morning before, during or after one of these meetings wherever you normally meet.
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Why not introduce some other fun fundraising activites to the morning? You could:
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Not everyone likes coffee so remember to offer some alternatives (and soft drinks in case your guests bring their children).
If you are not at home then make sure you consider the following:
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Does the venue have enough cups, plates and cutlery?
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What facilities does the venue have for making tea and coffee (does it have an urn or just a kettle)?
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Don't forget that you'll need a rubbish bin so that you can keep your sales area clean and tidy.
If you're planning to sell cakes or other snacks as part of your fundraising then you will need to consider whether they require any special storage or handling.
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It sounds obvious but although you know why you’re holding a coffee morning your guests won’t.
If you tell them they’re likely to be much more generous, after all it’s no longer just a snack they’re buying but the chance to make a difference to the hospital.
Why not arm yourself with some key facts and figures about the charity so you’re ready for questions about why you’re doing what you are or simply display our posters so people can easily see who you're supporting?
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Always aim to raise at least three times as much as you need to spend (for example if you spend £10 you should aim to raise a minimum of £30).
On the day, don’t forget a float – think about how much you’re charging and ensure you have the right coins for your customers’ change.
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Risk assessment
A risk assessment doesn't have to be a complex document, but it's always a good idea to run through one at a level appropriate to your activity to ensure that you are taking the appropriate health and safety measures.
Handling money
Make sure you have a secure system for handling donations. Use a lockable box and ensure that you have two people together to count the money at the end of the day.
Food
If you are selling food you will need to comply with regulations applying to specific types of food. The Food Standards Agency (www.eatwell.gov.uk) provide lots of easy to understand guidance on what you need to do and when you need to do it.
Even if there is no legal requirement to label the food, it can be done voluntarily. We suggest that every cake you sell is clearly labelled with the ingredients, the date the cake was baked and a suggestion on how long it can be stored for (if the recipe provides it). Listing ingredients is particularly important for anyone with food allergies (especially for children or adults with nut allergies).
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