COVID-19… a virus that has caused a global pandemic. This global pandemic has affected every family, every country and every industry. One industry, in particular, is the third sector, without the ability to hold events and their usual fundraisers, many charities may not be able to survive the next few months.
UK charities have an annual income of £43.8bn and £41.7bn (1) is spent every year helping millions of people. Between 2016 and 2018, the proportion of people giving money to charity either by donating or via sponsorship saw a steady decline from 69% to 65% (2). Roughly 44% of the UK public donate to charity every month (2).
However, as a result of the lockdown, many people are facing sudden and unexpected financial pressures. Savanta research conducted over the weekend of March 28th – 29th showed 43% of people said COVID-19 has already decreased their disposable income. However, this is a time where charitable causes need fundraising income the most. , and with the normal channels of fundraising now unavailable, charities need to be more creative in their thinking to attract people’s attention and critically, attract their financial support.
You’ve probably heard us talk about our client Cure Leukaemia regularly (if not, where have you been??). Cure Leukaemia is a national charity which invests £1,000,000 annually to fund the UK Trials Acceleration Programme (TAP) – a network of highly-skilled research nurses based in 12 blood cancer units in the UK’s biggest cities. These 12 centres research and run blood cancer trials to help us get closer to curing leukaemia.
The loss of fundraising income to the charity as a direct impact of COVID-19 has been demonstrated this week, with blood cancer survivor and former England footballer Geoff Thomas having to cancel his £1,000,000 cycling fundraiser in aid of Cure Leukaemia. Geoff and 18 amateur cyclists were due to ride ALL stages of the tour de France, one day ahead of the professionals starting on June 26th.
However, COVID-19 is having a bigger impact than just funding and holding events for this charity; it’s also affecting these trials. Many nurses and scientists currently working in the TAP network are being called to the frontline all over the country to help run trials for a COVID-19 vaccine.
This is where we come in… Over the past few weeks, the OWB and CL team have been getting our heads together to think of ways we can help.
We have been holding weekly virtual calls on Zoom, regular conversations in Whatsapp groups, and good old email to keep in touch and keep our creative juices flowing.
Here is a sneak peek of some of the campaigns we’re currently working on with Cure Leukaemia to help them stand out amongst the crowd without the ability to run events and fundraise in the normal way.
Boredom Bangers – A campaign that runs through GivePenny and Spotify, which encourages people to donate, choose some of their favourite songs to add to the ‘Boredom Bangers’ playlist, then nominate their friends and family to do the same. It’s turning into a pretty decent playlist! Donate and add your song here: https://givepenny.com/BoredomBangers
Great Birmingham Run – A brand new campaign that was launched this week, we’ve been working on getting people moving and keeping the country busy training during the lockdown for when we’re back up and literally running again!
Tour de France – Also, not officially launched and top secret, we’re currently working on a virtual cycle challenge to replace the Tour de France. Think this is something you’d like to know more about? Then keep an eye out on Cure Leukaemia’s social media.
2.6 Challenge – And finally, Cure Leukaemia is taking part in the 2.6 challenge launched on 16th April and run by ‘Human Race’. This challenge will begin on 26th April (the date the London Marathon should have been). The challenge is to get as many people as possible to raise at least £26 each for their chosen charity. You can raise money however you want, around the theme of 26 or 2.6. For example, this could be to eat 26 Easter eggs in 2.6 minutes or run 26 miles. Click here to help support Cure Leukaemia: https://twopointsixchallenge.justgiving.com/donate – just search Cure Leukaemia and donate.
These are just a few examples of how we’re helping just one of our clients to help them adapt to the current climate. This will come to an end, and we’re supporting our clients in any way they need us to, making sure you’re #readyfortheupturn… Are you?
Sources
- https://www.ncvo.org.uk/about-us/media-centre/briefings/1721-fast-facts-about-the-charity-sector
- https://www.cafonline.org/about-us/blog-home/research-blog/what-are-people-thinking-during-covid-19-in-terms-of-giving
