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BIG SSAFA COLLECTION
HOW-TO GUIDE
BIG SSAFA COLLECTION HOW-to GUIDE
2013
Big SSAFA
Collection raised over:
£84.5k
134 collections held
worldwide
2014
Big SSAFA
Collection target:
This guide is designed
to help you to plan a
successful Big SSAFA
Collection.
£100k
All money raised
locally stays
locally
Street collections are a popular
method of fundraising and raising
awareness of SSAFA’s work. They’re
also a great way of meeting potential
clients who may be in need of our help
and in 2014 we are asking every single
part of SSAFA to take part in our
Big SSAFA Collection.
2
BIG SSAFA COLLECTION HOW-to GUIDE
How your Regional Fundraising
Manager can help
Your Regional Fundraising
Managers (RFMs) will be on hand
throughout to assist you with all
aspects of planning your event.
Please do not hesitate to contact us
should you need to. If you need it, we
can support you and give advice every
step of the way. We can also provide
you with collection cans, stickers,
T-shirts, banners, balloons and
information leaflets so you can raise
awareness of SSAFA while raising
funds for your Branch, Division or
Service Committee. There are legal
restrictions you will have to bear in
mind when organising a Big SSAFA
Collection and we can guide you
through them all.
Enquiries about collections abroad
rs Julia Clark
M
Head of Regional Fundraising
T 01723 373431
M 07748 999 944
EJulia.c@ssafa.org.uk
r Stephen King
M
Regional Fundraising
Manager – North
T 01142 844638
M 07557 032186
Estephen.k@ssafa.org.uk
rs Penny Prince
M
Regional Fundraising
Manager – South East
T 01327 263512
M 07788 725408
Epenny.p@ssafa.org,uk
r Jim Morrison
M
Regional Fundraising
Manager – South West
& Wales
T 01288 275001
M 07788 410800
Ejim.m@ssafa.org.uk
rs Elaine Michaelson
M
Regional Fundraising
Manager – Scotland and Ireland
T 01333 340443
M 07967 733665
Eelaine.m@ssafa.org.uk
My Division takes part every year. It brings
our Caseworkers together and to be honest,
it’s fun, raises lots of money and is also a
great opportunity to meet potential clients
Cam, Divisional Secretary
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BIG SSAFA COLLECTION HOW-to GUIDE
Organising a
Big SSAFA Collection
In Advance
Set a time and date
Think about when you are planning to
hold the collection during Big SSAFA
Collection Week and what else might
be happening at that time. Depending
on your location some times may be
busier than others. For example, outside
a supermarket will probably be busy all
weekend, while a farmers’ market on a
Saturday may be busiest in the morning.
Our top tips for great venues include
mainline stations, race courses and
sporting events as well as supermarket
and shopping centre foyers.
Ask family and
friends to help
Recruit additional collectors
for support. You are likely
to raise more money and
generate more awareness
for SSAFA if you have
people in uniform so make
sure you ask your local
cadet and TA units as well
as working with your local
Service Committee if you
are a Branch. If you are a
veteran with medals, wear
them – you WILL raise
more money!
The more collectors you
have, the more you will raise.
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Publicity
Tell your RFM about your Big SSAFA
Collection so we can tweet about it
and add it to our list. Take photos and
send them to your RFM and let your
local newspaper, radio and social
media sites know where and when
you will be collecting.
BIG SSAFA COLLECTION HOW-to GUIDE
Legalities
ou will need a license if you plan
Y
to hold a street collection. Every
local authority has different rules and
regulations around collections, so contact
your local authority for advice and to
apply for a license. Bear in mind you
may have to book months in advance to
secure popular dates such as Saturdays.
You don’t always need a license if
collecting on private land but it’s
always best to check as each location
is different. Your RFM can help you
with this should you need it. Not all
areas require a permit to collect but
you always need permission from
the landlord or manager.
If you want to arrange your permit
yourselves, get in touch with the licensing
department of your local authority or
town council in the area you are planning
to raise funds and they will let you know
what you need to do. If you are in London
you may need to contact the local police
or Licensing Team of the City of London
if you want to collect in this area.
ou must be over 16 (or 18 in London)
Y
to be involved and it is illegal to do a
public street collection without a permit.
Collecting around houses and pubs need
different permits so contact your RFM
for advice if your plans include these.
our cans must all be labeled with
Y
SSAFA can labels, have a sticker on
with the location, date and can number
and be sealed with a security seal.
You must keep a note of which collector
has which numbered can and all
collectors must have an ID card
with them for the collection. These
will all be supplied in your packs.
ou are allowed to rattle your cans but
Y
if anyone asks you to stop doing so then
you must. Common sense prevails –
attract attention but don’t annoy!
Don’t
Forget!
If you are
bringing children,
remember those
under the age of
16 are not allowed
to collect money.
Be sure to consider
issues of personal
safety, particularly
if children are
involved.
When you know
the number of
helpers available,
draw up a rota.
Make sure everyone
knows what they
are doing, where
and when they
are collecting.
Consider busy
times and make
sure you have
plenty of helpers
at those periods.
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BIG SSAFA COLLECTION HOW-to GUIDE
Organising a
Big SSAFA Collection
on the day
The Big SSAFA Collection Look
You may have people standing in their
usual clothes, with a sash explaining they
are collecting for SSAFA, but on a busy
Saturday it may be difficult for passers
by to spot them in the crowd. You may
want to think about ways you and your
volunteers can stand out, get noticed
and get collecting! Here are a few
suggestions to get you thinking:
6
Using cadets or military personnel
in uniform signals straight away
that we are a military charity.
A
sking veterans to wear their medals
stimulates conversation and
awareness of our work.
ear a large silly hat or
W
fancy dress if you dare!
BIG SSAFA COLLECTION Handling the money
ave a plan for handling the money
H
during the collection, and at the end
of the day until you can bank it.
E
mpty the collection cans regularly
and keep the money in a safe and
secure place.
O
rganise trustworthy people to
count the money – there should
be at least two people.
Pay the proceeds in to your Treasurer
and let your RFM know how much you
raised so your collection is added into
the SSAFA Big Collection total. (All
money stays locally but it means we
know how much we raised overall.)
Once funds have been collected make
sure that you know where to store
them until you hand them over to
your Divisional/Branch/Committee
Treasurer.
HOW-to GUIDE
Teamwork makes
such a difference
to the Big SSAFA
Collection. It gives
every division,
Branch and Service
Committee the
chance to all speak
in one voice about
the great work
that is done in
local communities
across the UK.
Meg, Community
Fundraiser
Don’t
Forget!
When you receive your permit
from your local authority, they
will also send you recording
sheets for you to be able to
note how much money was
collected per box. Keep a
copy and send the other
copy back to the local
authority as required.
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BIG SSAFA COLLECTION HOW-to GUIDE
Organising a
Big SSAFA Collection
after the event
Thank everyone
Remember to say thank you to
everybody who took part or contributed
in any way. If you plan on organising
street collections on a regular basis,
this is a good opportunity to encourage
future involvement.
Don’t forget to tell everyone how much
they raised and how much was raised in
total. People like to know how the overall
event went and their contribution to it.
GOOD
LUCK!
Remember your RFM
is here to help and
please tell us how much
you raise from your
collection – we can’t
wait to hear and see
your photos.
8
Arrange an official hand over of the
final total to your Divisional/Branch or
Committee Secretary. Make an event of
it by asking the bank to produce a giant
cheque that you can present to your
colleague, while giving you the
opportunity to officially thank
all your volunteers. SSAFA will
raise even more awareness
if you invite the local press
along to write an article
and take photos.
BIG SSAFA COLLECTION HOW-to GUIDE
Big SSAFA Collection
CHECKLIST
To do
Person
responsible
Done
Y/N
Local authorities licences requested
Landlords permission (if required)
Collection confirmed
Register your collection with your RFM
Organise volunteers
Create a rota
Press release
Photographer/media cover
Merchandise order placed
Risk assessment
Volunteers reminder
Safe place for funds to be kept
Min 2 x volunteers to count funds
Give counted funds to treasurer
Banking arrangements
Total given to your RFM
Financial return back to licensing officer
Thank you letters
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BIG SSAFA COLLECTION HOW-to GUIDE
Big SSAFA Collection
MATERIALS FORM
Please complete the form below and return to your RFM:
Please place your orders by 15 April 2014.
Organiser’s Name Division/ Branch/ Service Committee Division/ Branch/ Service Committee Address (NB delivery address)
Collection Location Number of Collectors at one time Please note that we have three pack sizes:
Small
1–5 Collectors
Medium
6–10 Collectors
Large 11–20 Collectors
Each pack will include:
Emblem stickers
Bookmarks
Collection cans & buckets
Collector’s ID badges
(including stickers and seals)
Gift Aid envelopes
Balloons
T-Shirts Sashes 10
Number and size(s) required
Number required