Case Study – Lords Taverners

Case Study – Lords Taverners

by | 5 Sep 2017 | Blog

It was a great honour to be asked to become National President of the Lord’s Taverners in 2012. I enjoyed it so much I stayed in the role for three years before becoming a Trustee of the Charity. What a thrill it gave me to be part of team with so many extraordinary people giving of their time and money, to support disadvantaged and disabled young people.

The Lord’s Taverners is the official charity for recreational cricket and the UK’s leading youth cricket and disability sports charity. The charitable objective of both the Lord’s and Lady Taverners (Baroness Thatcher became Honorary Lady Taverner No. 1) is to ‘give young people, particularly those with special needs, a sporting chance’.

A sporting chance is the chance to interact, play sport, to compete, win and lose; to learn, have fun and make friends. We have put more than 1100 specially adapted minibuses on the road and you only need to see the thrill on the faces of these young people to appreciate the difference it makes to their lives. We create sensory rooms, recycled kit, multi-sport wheelchairs and we offer increased opportunities for regular participation in sport.

It is awe-inspiring for me to have followed in the footsteps of former Presidents such as Sir John Mills, The Prince of Wales, Eric Morecambe, Terry Wogan, Sir David Frost, Lord Cowdrey, Chris Tarrant and many other special names. I was proud to have given my time to the cause for three years and to pass on to Sir Michael Parkinson who has shown remarkable support.

Whilst I am happy back in the ranks as President of the West Kent region I am still enjoying hosting most of the big Taverners events. I spend much time supporting Jo Davis and her events team at HQ; we have achieved some great fundraising results recently.

 

Fundraising

Fundraising

by | 24 Jul 2017 | Blog

I would never like to be an event organiser myself but I am a strong believer in the proverb ‘The outsider sees the most of the game.’ It is simpler for me to advise an over-laden events team or ineffective Charity Committee, who often miss the key ingredients of a successful fundraiser. The better the event the more likely the audience will feel inclined to support the cause financially.

So have you got it right? – Ask yourself 20 questions:

  1. Are you giving yourself enough lead time?
  2. Is the ticket price right?
  3. Is the venue the right one?
  4. Have you done a comprehensive budget?
  5. Have you got a realistic fundraising target?
  6. Do you have enough of the ‘right’ people coming?
  7. Do you have enough entertainment?
  8. Does the room have a good sound system?
  9. Can you make the room look inviting?
  10. How are you going to sell the event?
  11. Have you got the right Auctioneer?
  12. Have you got access to the right Auction items?
  13. Are you using the best Silent Auction Company?
  14. Have you nailed your running order?
  15. Do you have the right Master of Ceremonies?
  16. Have you checked the date doesn’t conflict?
  17. Black Tie, Lounge Suit or Smart/Casual?
  18. Have you got an attractive sponsor’s package?
  19. Is the event one they would attend again?
  20. Have you taken fundraising advice?

I am in awe of successful event organisers and the amount of time charity workers give to support fundraising events.

However, it is heart-breaking when after all the sweat and tears the event doesn’t achieve the fundraising target.

It is always for a reason which will feature in the questions above.

The Running Order is the key – start promptly, auction at the right time, fast- moving, no extended comfort breaks, get the entertainer(s) on at the right time and above all, finish on time.