As a result of the current restrictions, everyone is spending more time at home and fundraising is more difficult than ever. Thanks to the creativity and generosity of our wonderful supporters, however, fundraising in lockdown is taking off!
Well over a month has now been spent in lockdown. Social distancing, working from home, and rigid rules on exercise have changed everyone’s day to day lives. As we continue to adapt to this new world, fundraising for our favourite charities might often drift to the back of our minds. And with the traditional methods of sporting events, coffee mornings, bake sales, and dinner parties on hold, the task can easily feel impossible.
Or so we thought. With new challenges come new opportunities and our supporters have come out in force to find ways to help Open Arms survive through our most challenging period of fundraising yet. We rely enormously on funds raised through challenge events, community fundraising, and trips to Malawi. With these cancelled or postponed indefinitely, the generosity and creativity of our fundraisers is helping to protect our services in Malawi when they are needed the most.
People of all ages have been giving a helping hand. Alexa and Serena, only 4 and 7 years old, have been doing their own full lockdown marathon. Making sure that they abide by government regulations, the girls (with the help of their parents of course) have been walking, running, biking and even scootering over a couple of weeks in order to reach the finish line!
Virtual technology has increasingly become a safe haven in the past weeks, enabling us to stay in touch with family and friends when we can’t see them in person. It keeps us connected at work, enables us to share and stay in touch with the latest developments, and helps our families stay entertained on the repeated evenings in. But it has also become the most powerful philanthropic resource in our hands, generating new ideas and much-needed donations in a difficult climate of routine and hardship. Offering an online yoga class, for instance, Joanna has helped participants to relax in these challenging times, while offering a crucial boost to our fundraising.
Open Arms is also taking part in the national 2.6 Challenge to help save the UK’s charities. The schools which support us are already getting on board. The boys and staff at Gibbs House, Lancing College, for instance, have each pledged to raise £26 for Open Arms through a range of activities. Participants are undertaking a variety of challenges based around the number 2.6 or 26 and fundraising to help protect vulnerable children in Malawi. From walking, running or cycling 2.6 miles, juggling for 2.6 minutes, to holding online workouts with 26 friends, the options are endless. You can find out more and join the 2.6 Challenge to help Open Arms survive here.
In addition to the 2.6 Challenge, there is a huge range of new activities and ideas through which you can fundraise for Open Arms, from hair challenges to virtual mountain climbs! We have put together a list of home fundraising ideas here. We think that these activities really put the fun in fundraising!
Without the support of our fundraisers – who have generated tens of thousands of pounds to help some of the children who need it the most – we could not run our services. We are so proud of all of your wonderful efforts and ideas. Thank you for choosing to support Open Arms.
Your donation will help children in Malawi grow up healthy with the love of a family
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