How to organise a charity bucket collection
Whether it’s at a supermarket or school play, bucket collections are a simple and effective way to raise funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity). Have a look at our ideas and guidelines to get started.
There are many different types of charitable collections, and they all have different rules associated with them. You’ll need to decide which you want to do and apply for the necessary permission.
For further information, please take a look at the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Fundraising Practice which can be found on their website, paying particular attention to pages 46-53.
Choosing your collection
Street collections
If you’re holding a street collection, you’ll need to obtain a licence from your local council. Some applications require information about the charity, so if you’re unsure, please contact us at community.events@gosh.org.
Private property collections
If your collection is open to the public but being held on private property, such as within a shopping centre, you must obtain permission from the landowner or manager. We can only send you a collection bucket once we’ve seen permission from the owner or manager of the venue where you would like to collect. Please send confirmation of the permission you’ve obtained to community.events@gosh.org.
London Underground collections
The charity has to apply for a collection space on your behalf through Transport for London. This needs to be booked in at least a month in advance, depending on the slots available. If you’re not based in London, why not contact your local railway station and ask if you can collect there?
Collection tins
We have plastic collection tins available for you to order for your workplace or business, such as a till counter, bar top, or reception area. Our tins all come with seals and a securing chain to keep your collection safe. Order your collection tin for free on this page.
Door-to-door collections
Please do not conduct any door-to-door requests for donations or sponsorship in aid of the charity. These require a specific license from local authorities.
Planning your collection
Once you’ve chosen what type of collection you’d like to do, you can:
Talk to us
Get in touch with us to discuss your collection. We can share some tips on how to apply for a council permit or send you a permission letter to use for sites like shops and supermarkets.
Fundraising materials
Once your collection has been approved, we’d love to send you some GOSH Charity branded t-shirts, stickers and buckets to help grab people’s attention and get the donations rolling in! Let us know your t-shirt size and mailing address so we can send everything you need.
On the day
Keep your permit or collection permission letter on you for reference and take some time to read our guidelines surrounding cash handling so you can count and bank the money you’ve collected safely. If you’re collecting at a private site, make sure you take note of any sign in and sign out procedures. Read our do's and don'ts below.
Do's
Dress for the occasion! Wear a GOSH Charity t-shirt (we can send you one) or stand out from the crowd with a fancy dress costume.
Hold the bucket at waist height so it’s clear to passers-by that you’re collecting.
Place yourself at main routes of traffic or where people have their wallets/purses out. For example, near ticket barriers at train stations or as people leave a shop. (However, be careful not to cause an obstruction. Some permits will specify where collectors can stand – observe these rules if they are specified).
Know your stuff. Before the day, have a look at our What we do pages to find out more about the hospital and the charity’s impact, just in case you’re asked any questions. It’s important that the information you’re sharing about the Charity is accurate and that you’re aware of what the donations will fund.
Remember to make clear that you are fundraising ‘in aid of’ GOSH Charity.
Don'ts
Don’t pressure people to donate or ask the same person several times. Do not act inappropriately or aggressively. It’s best to approach everyone with a polite and friendly smile.
While regulations do not directly state that you cannot ‘rattle your tin’, the Metropolitan Police encourage people not to.
Don’t put yourself at risk – if someone tries to take the bucket, let them have it.
Don’t smoke, vape or consume alcohol while collecting or wearing your charity t-shirt.
Regulations state you must not approach people who are on official duties, such as uniformed officials while they are on duty, or people who are clearly working. You must also not obstruct staff from local businesses.
Our values
When you are holding an ‘in aid of’ fundraiser, you are representing GOSH Charity. We expect you to uphold our charity values and represent the charity in a positive way. Our values are:
We are courageous – we strive to be our very best
We are curious – we are opening and welcoming
We care – we are supportive and collaborative
Keeping things safe
Your collection bucket must display a security seal that can be easily seen and should not be tampered with. You should receive security seals along with your bucket but let us know if you need any more.
Do not open the buckets at any point during the collection. Be sure to carry personal identification and the licence/permit (provided by your council or landowner/manager) or letter of authority (provided by GOSH Charity) to collect in case you are asked for it.
Avoid taking public transport with the collection cash and buckets. If possible, drive to the collection and park nearby or get somebody to drive you home once you’ve finished.
Collectors must be 16 or over, with anyone under 18 supervised by an adult at all times. Be sure to comply with the terms and conditions of the venue where you are collecting. Upon arrival, check to see if there is anything you can’t do, or anywhere that you can’t collect.
Please check our Community Fundraising Guidelines for everything you need to know to keep it safe and legal.
After your collection
Money
Please ensure you have two people present when counting any money raised. You should do this in a secure location and not in public. Please return the money you have raised as soon as possible and no later than six weeks after the date of your event.
We recommend putting collection buckets in unmarked bags or in a wheeled suitcase.
How to pay in your fundraising
There are several ways to pay in your fundraising:
Call us on 020 3841 3131
For cheques, CAF vouchers and sponsorship forms, include your contact details and post to: Community Fundraising, Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, 40 Bernard Street, London, WC1N 1LE
If you’ve raised money online through JustGiving or Facebook fundraising, there’s nothing you need to do. The money will make its way straight to the charity.
To pay in by bank transfer or another method please email us for details
Return your buckets
Make sure to return your bucket(s) no later than six weeks after your collection so it can be used again. Use the return label that was included with the delivery. If you don’t have one, please get in touch and we can send one to you.
Failure to return the bucket(s) could result in GOSH Charity taking further action to ensure these materials are returned to us.
Don't forget
Write to the venue to thank them and let them know how much was raised – this is also a good opportunity to request a date for next time!
If you have arranged your collection through your local council, be sure to fill in the return form stating how much you raised. Some councils require you to advise the local paper of the amount raised. If this is a requirement, please ensure that you do so, or the council is unlikely to grant another permit.