Community events will weather financial storm

Fundraising | Celina Ribeiro | 9 Jan 2009

Community events will be more ‘recession-proof' than other fundraising techniques, according to the chief executive of the Prostate Cancer Charity, John Neate.

The charity, which has recently launched a four-year strategy, is celebrating unexpectedly high returns from its Movember event, where men are sponsored to grow moustaches to raise money and awareness of prostate cancer.

The number of participants for the second annual UK event more than doubled from 6,000 to 16,000, and the total raised so far is £1.6m, compared to last year's £1.1m. Organisers from the Movember Foundation expect cash to keep coming in until the end of January, and are confident the final figure raised for the Prostate Cancer Charity will far exceed their target of £1.5m.

Neate said: "Mass participation events will survive the downturn and be an area of massive potential because the amount raised per head is manageable. It's the biggest part of our portfolio."

Community fundraising manager Claire Carlin added: "Mass participation events like Movember, as well as smaller community events, are more likely to weather the recession.

"Thousands of people organise events for us, including Rotary Clubs and the Women's Institute, and we believe because there is less pressure to raise large amounts this will continue."

Who's Who: Celina Ribeiro

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