As they say, ‘every little bit helps’, and the same is absolutely true when fundraising to support rangatahi, whānau, or communities affected by cancer. Fundraising for cancer support hundreds of rangatahi impacted by cancer each year.
That said, the best fundraisers aren’t just about gathering donations. They’re the perfect opportunity to rally your community together, spark conversations, and remind rangatahi that they have support.
If you’re reading this, then chances are you’re putting together a fundraiser of your own. That’s amazing! We've got some creative ideas to help you raise funds for cancer support.
Host a Themed Event
Fundraisers should be fun and engaging community events that give people the opportunity to raise money whilst having fun. What’s better for doing that than a themed event?
This makes it even more engaging for the people turning up, and you can centre the theme around a particular person if you have a champion patient that you’re fundraising for!
Some really fun ideas we’ve seen while fundraising for cancer have been doing dress-up days at school or work, setting up themed quiz nights, or throwing a Decade Dance to celebrate a particular decade in style. Gold coin donations (or online ones, if you have a page set up) are the perfect way to gather funds while everyone enjoys the event.
Challenge Yourself & Get Sponsored
A personal challenge is an amazing way to tackle fundraising for cancer, especially if you’re worried about having the time or resources to set up a full-on event. This is all about pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone in the name of raising funds; people love supporting someone taking on a mission for a great cause.
One idea could be to committ to shaving your head! This is a really powerful way to show support if you have any whānau undergoing cancer treatment right now.
Another popular choice is to take on an endurance challenge, such as a marathon or a month-long fitness challenge. Walk, run, cycle, swim; your community can rally behind you as you work hard to support cancer survivors in need of support.
Make the most of your hobbies
If a particular hobby just jumped to mind, there’s a big chance that you know of a community that shares that interest. Fundraising for cancer support by leaning into your hobbies is a fantastic way to get people behind the cause, because they’re already naturally interested in the hobby you’re spotlighting.
Plus, they also get to help someone in need while indulging in one of their favourite things to do? There’s no downside.
If you’re fundraising for someone in particular, consider using a core hobby of theirs to drive your event. It’s a great way to make sure they can connect with a wider community of people who share their interests, and they get to spend the whole day revelling in the fun of their favourite thing.
Some of the most popular events we’ve seen include bake sales, crafting for a cause, or even live-stream gaming marathons with a fundraising target. Jumping online is a great way to create a built-in social media platform to share the message.
Get your workplace or school involved.
Finally, when in doubt, look to your community. Rallying your workplace or school around fundraising for cancer can be an incredible way to drive donations while spreading awareness at the same time. The bigger the group, the bigger the impact, but every single dollar counts.
If you work in an office, chat with your manager about the possibility of hosting a dedicated fundraiser day. Getting involved in Bandanna Day, dressing in red for rangatahi, having a potluck lunch, or hosting a bake-off is a great way to get even the most introverted coworkers involved. If you go to school, a school mufti day or a fun mini-game can be a great way to get all of your mates involved.
These four ways to get involved in fundraising for cancer are just the beginning. Get creative, brainstorm with your community, and drive support for the many rangatahi and whānau across Aotearoa facing cancer. What you’re doing is amazing, so from the team here at Canteen, we want to say thank you!
Every Dollar Makes a Difference
Looking for even more ways to support? Donations ensure Canteen Aotearoa can continue to provide vital services to rangatahi impacted by cancer.
Create an online fundraiser page now, or contact our friendly team today if you want to discuss setting up a fundraiser, joining us as a partner, or to hear more about the work that we do.
