Melody's Mission To Malaysia

When Melody saw David Attenborough speak at Glastonbury in 2019, her passion for environmental conservation was sparked. Now, she’s preparing for a transformative four-week scuba expedition to Borneo in 2025.

This adventure is more than a journey – it’s a chance to make a positive impact while developing essential life skills like financial management, communication and conservation practices. But before she dives into the Borneo reefs, she faces an equally ambitious goal: raising £5000 to support her journey.

Melody’s Fundraising Efforts

Inspired and determined, Melody took a creative, business-minded approach to fundraising. She joined the Camps International Fundraising Advice Group on Facebook to brainstorm and from there, she launched a variety of initiatives to reach her goal.

Here’s a closer look at her inventive fundraising strategies:

T-shirt Sponsorship for Businesses:

Melody raised £1750 by selling ad space on her T-shirt, where she promoted local business logos. Through email and social media promotion, she secured support from companies in her area.

Take a look at Sam’s Fundraising Story for guidance on what to charge for your business sponsorships.

Online Sponsorship:

Setting up a Just Giving page generated £1705.73. This simple yet effective initiative allowed family, friends and her wider network to contribute directly to her cause.

Theatre Tuck Shop:

By running a tuck shop during her Saturday theatre classes, Melody expected to make £456.72 over the year. She sourced stock from wholesalers to increase her profit margin.

Selling Pre-loved Items:

By gathering unwanted clothes from family and friends, Melody raised £289.30 through Vinted and eBay sales.

Themed Notebooks:

Inspired by her friend, Melody designed and published themed notebooks on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), bringing in £83.68 so far.

Overcoming Challenges

Fundraising isn’t easy and Melody’s journey had its share of setbacks. But each challenge became an opportunity to learn and improve:

Daunting Target:

The goal of £5000 seemed overwhelming, but Melody broke it into smaller, achievable projects to stay motivated.

Balancing Costs and Profits:

Finding a sustainable profit margin was challenging. Registering with a wholesaler improved Melody’s return on the tuck shop, but she learned it took patience and persistence.

Event Planning Lessons:

Not every fundraiser went as planned. A car boot sale, for example, drew fewer buyers than expected. Melody quickly realised the importance of researching her audience to align her efforts more effectively.

Highlights and Achievements

Beyond the funds raised, Melody’s fundraising journey has given her lasting memories and valuable skills.

Community Support:

Melody’s friends, family and local businesses have been incredibly supportive, encouraging her throughout the process and making the journey meaningful.

Learning Skills for Life:

From financial management to event planning, Melody has gained valuable skills that she knows will serve her well during her Borneo expedition and beyond.

Building Confidence:

With each successful fundraiser, Melody is not just inching closer to her financial goal but also feeling a growing sense of accomplishment and excitement for the adventure ahead.

Advice for Future Fundraisers

Drawing from her experience, Melody has some advice for those embarking on their own fundraising journeys:

Stay Focused and Flexible:

Raising a large sum can be overwhelming, but perseverance is key. If one idea doesn’t work, try another.

Think Like a Business:

Treat fundraising like running a small business—track profits, keep detailed financial records and use social media to promote your cause.

Have Fun:

Not every initiative will be a big money-maker, but it’s important to enjoy the process and see each experience as a learning opportunity.

Melody is excited for the adventure ahead and proud of her fundraising journey. She looks forward to the skills and experiences awaiting her in Borneo.