The biggest fundraising activities have been revealed, from car washes to marathons
Some of the biggest growing fundraising activities over the past 12 months have included sponsored bin parks, car washes and ultra-marathons, which raised more than £80 million for charities.
Dates of fundraising platform JustGiving has revealed the top 10 physical activities that have seen the biggest increase in popularity year on year.
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Sponsored containers have seen a jump of 286 per cent, raising almost £230,000, while car washes grew by 47 per cent, raising £47,000.
Meanwhile, ultramarathons – any running event longer than a marathon – rose by 34 per cent, raising £1.6 million.
Charity skydives have increased by 42 percent to £5.7 million, and walking challenges have also increased by 42 percent, raising a whopping £57 million.
However, a survey of 2,000 people commissioned by JustGiving showed that almost 32 percent have never raised money for charity.
Some of the reasons people haven't raised money include because they don't like asking people for it money (32 percent) and not having time (15 percent).
One in ten are not involved due to social anxiety, while eight percent simply struggle to come up with ideas or activities to raise money.
Pascale Harvie, president and general manager of the fundraising platform, which is also a 'Spin the wheel' fundraising idea generator for those stuck on how to support good causes, said: “The enormous generosity we saw in 2023 made it a record year for donations, with more than 18 million donations made to almost 20,000 UK charities.
“Every individual who has raised or donated money has made a huge difference to so many charities and we feel privileged to be able to play our part in providing people with a platform to raise money.
“We understand how difficult it can be to think of a fundraising activity that suits you, so we hope our Fundraiser Finder quiz will help people of all ages and abilities find an activity that best suits their needs and will inspire them to raise funds for a cause close to their hearts.
The research showed that 20 percent have undertaken activities in the past twelve months that, in retrospect, could have been part of a fundraising effort, such as run, cycling or baking.
TOP 10 LARGEST GROWING PHYSICAL FUNDRATORS
1. Skip – 287 percent – £230,000 raised
2. Car wash – 47 percent – £47,000 raised
3. Walk – 42 per cent – £57 million raised
4. Skydive – 42 percent – £5.7 million raised
5. Squats – 42 percent – £300,000 raised
6. Ultra Marathon – 34 percent – £1.6 million raised
7. Walking – 33 percent – £3.7 million raised
8. Football – 30 percent – raised 8.4 m
9. Tough Mudder – 28 percent – £1.7 million raised
10. Ironman – 18 percent – £2 million raised
When people raise funds themselves, not only do they experience a sense of pride (12 percent) and generosity (15 percent), but 11 percent say this benefits their mental well-being.
Four in ten adults support charities, by participating or sponsoring, because they want to make a difference.
Another 29 percent believe everyone should do their part, while 37 percent are driven by a cause close to their hearts.
The survey also found that 36 percent will donate to a charity they know is important to friends or family.
And as a result, 62 percent would be willing to sponsor a cause they don't typically support if someone they know is raising money for it.
According to insight from the online fundraising platform, the charities people donated to the most in 2023 were those linked to cancerchildren, mental health and humanitarian efforts.
The survey, conducted via OnePoll, also found that adults in Britain donate around £83 a year to charity, with 26 per cent making monthly contributions.
One of the most common ways people support charities is by donating items and clothing (57 percent), in addition to purchasing from charity shops (40 percent).
In addition to putting change in collection boxes (40 percent), paying direct debit (26 percent) and contributing via fundraising pages to support the efforts of others (22 percent).
In the future, bake sales (12 percent), car boot sales (11 percent), step goals (10 percent) and organizing a pub quiz (8 percent) are activities people would consider raising money.
Pascale Harvie from JustGiving added: “Despite it being a very difficult year for so many people, I was continually amazed at the incredible lengths so many people went to raise money and awareness for the causes closest to them stood.
“To everyone who has supported a good cause, on behalf of all our charity partners, thank you.”
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