As a group we usually run lock ups at festivals up and down the country in the summer, with Glastonbury being our biggest revenue generator. However, with no Glastonbury this year the campaigners were forced to become a little more creative with their fundraising efforts. The group decided the best way to do this was to combine a social and fundraising event to bring campaigners together and also encourage new people to get involved with the group. We decided to host a curry night at the Bay Leaf restaurant in the Custard Factory.
The evening brought together campaigners and supporters to help raise a few pennies for Birmingham Friends of the Earth and support our continued work across the city.
After a welcome drink and a chance to mingle with other guests The Bay Leaf treated us to a delicious three course meal with a fantastic £10 from every ticket going directly to Birmingham Friends of the Earth. With speedy and friendly service everyone was well fed and all the food was to a high quality.
As well as the meal we organised a raffle, including Fairtrade wine and chocolate, raising an additional £43 on top of ticket sales. We also began to raise awareness of our new Bee Cause campaign by providing literature and badges for the diners to read and wear over the evening.
Overall the event managed to raise £313 which was used to cover the costs of our recent City of the Future economics debate. Fundraising is a vital, but often overlooked, part of the work that we do. Without fundraising we wouldn’t be able to achieve as much as we do as a campaigns group. I hope that we can replicate this type of event in the future bringing together a social aspect, great food and raising some cash for the organisation. A huge thank you to everyone who came along on the evening and made the night such a success!
