From bake sales, to marathons, to shaving your head, your actions can help change the world. Visit our fundraising pages for inspiration and remember we’re here to support you every step of the way. So what are you waiting for, let's get you started!
A big thank you to Mandy who took part in the Great Manchester Run for VSO. Not only did she smash the £200 target by reaching an impressive £419, but she also faced her fear of running and came out loving it!
VSO kept in regular contact from the moment I signed up for the run. I received regular emails keeping me updated on progress; offering advice on fundraising and even getting encouraging, supportive texts on the day of the race. After the race, I received a "goody bag" which really touched me as it was totally unexpected. I hope I get chance to help out VSO again in the future, as I really have gained so much from this experience, AND I've even been out running SINCE the race so I guess that phobia has well and truly been beaten. Thanks VSO!
Thank you to Malcolm Ramsay who took on the challenge of walking from Land’s End to John O’Groats, and raised a fantastic amount for VSO!
In 1986 I volunteered with VSO. My volunteering experience is still vividly imprinted in me and explains why, when doing the walk, I decided to raise some funds for VSO. It took me ten weeks to cover the 1,150 miles, starting on hot and sunny Cornish beaches and finishing in snowy highland glens. The walk was an amazing experience and I met countless of strangers along the way, I even bumped into some enthusiastic VSO supporters! Altogether I raised £905 for VSO: an organisation which is more relevant than ever in a world in which we are increasingly dependent on distant as well as local people and events. And I fulfilled a long-held personal dream.
A huge thank you to Janet for all her support and fundraising efforts. Janet has supported VSO since 1969 when she became a VSO volunteer and gave her time and skills in India. Since returning, Janet has done many fundraising and awareness events raising over £2,300 in total.
I have been a constant supporter of VSO since returning from India in 1971, first through helping with a support network for teachers of English, and then I was chair of the local VSO supporter group for many years, fundraising and supporting local volunteers. I continue to join fundraising events when I can and recently 10 friends and I (some who are also previous VSO volunteers) took part in VSO’s ‘Bonjour Walks’. Together we raised £1,348! My time volunteering in India has coloured my whole life since, and by fundraising for VSO I can help fund other volunteers to go overseas so they can gain as much from their volunteering experience as I did, and can continue to help transform the lives of those living in poverty.
Fundraising for VSO, no matter how small, makes a huge difference. Watch our video to receive a special thank you from some of the people we have helped. You’ll see how much your support means to them.
Have a look at our life-changing stories to see just what your money can do.
Our Machu Picchu trek avoids the busy Inca Trail. Far off the beaten track, you will glimpse a way of Peruvian life that has remained untouched for centuries.
Your trekking challenge starts in Jinshanling with a vigorous trek that loops along the mountains either side of the Gubeikou Gateway.
Run the nation's favourite 10k event for VSO!
Run this exciting 10k race with VSO and fight poverty worldwide
Take the leap and skydive for VSO!
Returned VSO volunteers Colin and Bridget Cooper offer a unique opportunity to walk in this stunning area of central France, following in the footsteps of the famous Robert Louis Stevenson.
The route takes you through historic towns and Parisian boulevards, with an emotional and rewarding finish at the iconic Eiffel tower.
This is a wonderful opportunity to experience the scenery, culture and cuisine of two European countries by bike.
Your unwanted items may be a treasure trove to others. Put them online and see what you can get.
It's a fun way to get fit and it's a great fundraiser! How long can you Zumba for?
The classic. You can’t go wrong. Bake some yummy cakes, charge a small amount, and hey presto!
Set yourself a challenge, or take a look at what we have to offer
Razors and wax strips at the ready. Go bald for a good cause.
Does exactly what it says on the jar. And the winner gets to eat them all!
Gather and send cash at the click of a button, and the money comes straight to VSO. Set up yours today.
Take on Kili, Everest or the Great Wall of China. Take a look at the overseas treks we have to offer.
Coffee, chocolate, your mobile phone? Go cold turkey and ask friends and family to sponsor you.
Ask everyone to come armed with their talent, ask for a small donation to take part and let the games begin.
Hold a poker night with the pot going to VSO, have a raffle or play bingo.
Even if everyone’s rubbish, you’ll still have fun and raise loads of funds.
Put your stamina to the test and dance the whole night and day long.
Ask for donations (and maybe a tin of baked beans), and plunge into your bath for 24 hours. Perhaps follow by a regular bath.
Everyone loves a pub quiz. You might even be able to negotiate a free round of drinks for the winning team!
Get creative and see what games you can come up with, the sillier, the better.
Get your miming skills ready and spend a full day (or more!) without speaking a single word.
Design your own challenge. A long distance walk, a gruelling cycle or eating as many chillies as you can!
Organise a ‘come dine with me’ style competition or a VSO inspired Taste the World cook-off at work or with friends.
Hold a bad taste party. Charge an entry fee and give prizes for the worst (or should we say best) outfits.
Imagine free-falling at over 120 miles an hour and helping VSO at the same time. Find your nearest jump site.
Hook a duck, egg and spoon race, tug-o-war, have some nostalgic fun and ask people to pay a small fee to take part.
Download our handy 'how-to' guides for everything you need to know about how to make your fundraising event a big success.
We are always looking for great stories on how our supporters are helping us fight poverty through their fundraising.If you’d like to share your story, please get in touch with us today.
The key is planning, planning, planning.
The Internet has made many everyday tasks easier and faster. The same is true for fundraising. You can gather and send cash at the click of a button, and the money comes straight to VSO. Simple.
Making an online donation is an easy way to make a one-off payment donation. All you have to do is click on Give now
If you wish to send in your funds to us by post, please send a cheque made payable to VSO to:
VSO Customer Care
27A Carlton Drive,
London,
SW15 2BS
Please don’t send cash and make sure you include your name and contact details, along with a note of what you’ve done.
You can call us on 020 8780 7500 and use MasterCard, Visa or Maestro. Please bear in mind that paying over the phone means we cannot claim Gift Aid.
For every £1 people sponsor you, we can claim an extra 25p back from the Government, So, encourage your family, friends and colleagues to tick that Gift Aid box and you’ll raise even more funds for VSO without doing a thing.
