Standup fundraising

I started my working life as a rugby player and reached the peak of my athletic success by winning the Rugby World Cup in 2003. I’m still joint second in all-time try scoring for my country.

My success was by no means easy to achieve as I was struggling to manage after the grief of losing my father, who was brutally beaten to death for standing up to bullies.

I lost my father right after I had been selected for my first game for England. It was November 2000, three years before the Rugby World Cup, and after it looked like I was going to lose everything I had worked for, it took all I had in me to turn my life around and use my pain and anger to achieve great things.

My experience, and the agonising stories I’ve heard from friends and supporters, motivated me to start the Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation and to use my public profile to do something about bullying. I truly believe we all deserve the freedom to love and be loved, and to live in a world of understanding and kindness.

Thank you for supporting the Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation. No matter how you choose to raise money, your support means we can continue to work alongside worthy organisations to eradicate bullying.

In this pack you will find everything you need for a successful and fun fundraising experience.

I wish you great success and thank you for your support!

Although we often associate bullying with

The Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation is the world’s

children, adults are not immune from it, especially

first foundation dedicated to raising awareness of

in the workplace.

the long-term, damaging effects of bullying, and

People who are bullied feel disconnected, leading

funding those doing real-world work to stop it.

to a sense of isolation and loneliness. They are

We stand up against bullying regardless of to

often wary of others and lack quality friendships.

whom it happens. Because lesbian, gay, bisexual

They can suffer from low self-esteem, poor achievement, an increased risk of depression or anxiety, and, in extreme cases, a higher risk of suicide.

and transgender (LGBT) people are often targeted by bullies, we give particular attention to this community. Promoting tolerance and diversity in sports is also central to our mission.

Every year, we receive more and more grant applications from people working to eradicate bullying and its negative effects.

We fund 45% of the organisations that apply, with an average grant of £5,500. We want to support many more, and that’s why we need you.

Could pay for a victim of bullying to talk to a fully qualified counsellor...

Could pay for a year-long mentoring programme at your local school...

Could pay to train a peer mentor to help start a conversation...

Could pay for a workshop to educate sports teachers about homophobia...

Could pay for an anti-bullying workshop, ambassador training and ongoing support at your local sports club...

Could pay for a severely bullied child to receive specialist education and support at an alternative school...

Could pay for an entire primary school class to learn how to keep themselves safe in risky environments, including the internet...

There are innumerable ways to raise money –

Get everyone talking about it. The more people

you are limited only by your ideas!

you tell about the event, the more money you will

Choose a challenge. Get moving, whether it’s walking, running, cycling, swimming or doing something more extreme!

Hold an event. Throw a garden party, hold a coffee morning, have a locker auction, run a car wash – anything goes!

raise. Use social networking, posters and flyers to get people involved.

Many hands make light work. Any help, no matter how small, will lessen the load and make things more fun. Ask for help – the worst that can happen is that people will say no…but they are more likely to say yes. They may prefer to donate

Be creative. Make it as fun as possible, and

an item instead…there are so many options!

think about what would appeal to your friends

Go the extra mile. Hold a raffle, auction, heads

and contacts.

It’s all in the timing. Make sure the date you pick will give you plenty of time to prepare.

Set a budget. If you have to spend money, plan to raise three times as much as you spend.

and tails, or mini event alongside your main event so you can increase the amount you raise and spice things up.

Please send all money to the Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation via BACS or cheque.

Please let us know when it is on its way so we can confirm receipt.

We wish you the best of luck!

lise@standupfoundation.com 07429 579 196 standupfoundation.com @StandUpFdn /StandUpFoundation

Decide on your event.

Periodically update people about your progress. At least one month before your

Set up your page on MyDonate.

Spread the word through your contacts and on social media.

event, resend everyone the link and details of how to donate online.

On the day, have fun! Remind people to donate. Hold a side event, such as a cake sale.

Name Address Event

The person named above has agreed to take part in the above event in aid of the Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation.

If you are a tax payer, please tick the Gift Aid box so that we can claim back any tax you have paid on your donation (currently 20p for every £1 you donate).

We, who have given our names and addresses below, and who have ticked the box entitled ‘Gift Aid’, want the above charity to reclaim tax on the donation detailed below, given on the date shown. We understand that each of us must pay income tax or capital gains tax equal to the tax reclaimed by the charity on the donation.

Gift Aid Full Name

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