Fundraising for your expedition

Expedition: Cambodia
Amount raised so far: $4,955
Time taken: 1 year
Top tip: “Try and do one big event to get the bulk of your funds in, then smaller ones to help top up. Asking local attractions and venues if they can help out can make a big difference, and usually they are more than happy to support a fantastic cause! ”

Best earners:

• Late night cave tour with Beer Quarry Caves: $1000
• Cake sales: $400
• Table top sales: $300
• Bag packing at Christmas in grocery stores: $200
• GoFundMe, cashback websites, sales on vinted and Facebook marketplace: $3,055

Expedition: Costa Rica
Amount raised so far: $6,032
Time taken: 18 months
Top tip: My top tips are:

• Start fundraising early / straight after signing up
• Make a plan and do something every month
• Do something that works regularly so customers know you’ll be there. For example, doing a weekly lemonade stand at the park run worked well because the runners knew I’d be there. Similarly, doing a quarterly quiz night at the local scout hut was amazing as each one got bigger and bigger audiences
• Get an online payment app as not everyone carries cash. This way people can use card or cash (make sure you advertise both at each event)

Best earners:

• Making bunting for every season and occasion : $1050
• Quiz nights at the village scout hut: $916
• T-shirt sponsorship: $2050
• Bake sales at different events: $588
• Lemonade stand at local park run: $760
• General donations: $593
• Bucket collection at grocery store: $75

Expedition: Peru
Amount raised so far: $3,923
Time taken: 1 year
Top tip: “Don’t just ask for a donation; give people a reason to be inspired. I found that people, strangers and family alike, want to be part of your story, but you have to give them a doorway in. For me, that was the 100-mile walk. When people see you tackling a challenge that truly tests your limits, they don’t just feel like they are ‘giving you money’, they feel like they are supporting a mission. At my first coffee morning, I just sold coffee. At my second, I had my maps out, my 3D tracker ready, and I explained exactly how hard the walk was going to be and what we’d be building in Peru. People gave nearly twice as much because they were inspired by the challenge. My advice is: Do something that pushes you, tell people about it, and let them be part of your success.”

Best earners:

• 100-mile walk: $3,303
• Coffee mornings: $515
• Quiz Night: $105