Subject: Funding help for young sportsperson in Plymouth

Hi Andy,

thanks for adding your question here. I had a quick look at the Facebook page and blog - great that you have them to keep everyone in touch with progress.

I think it would help if you could add how much it costs to support your daughter in her training. I am sure most people will have no idea! It may also be worth fundraising for specific things (eg new kit or travel) - people are much more likely to donate for a specific thing rather than just money that goes into a pot. Finally - how do you say thanks to the people who have donated? It's really important to credit people and also show others that people have donated already.

There are some further tips on our digital fundraising page which might give you other ideas.

Hope this helps,

Madeleine

Thanks very much for taking your time to read my question and your comments Madeleine.

I had already started to work on the idea of donating for specifics, on her fundraising page I put some boxes where potential donors can choose to cover the cost of a night's hotel, or the entry fee for a competition, etc.  I guess it would be worth putting details of costs elsewhere though so people can see exactly how much things do cost.

I totally agree with the importance of crediting people for their help and again on her facebook page there is a tab for SPONSORS where we have started to thank those who make a donation.  In fact if anyone donates for a specific item (as above) there is a box for them to put their name and/or company for us to thank them.  We are also planning on thanking donors on her BLOG and in her FACEBOOK Status and TWITTER feeds, but I guess again we might need to make this clearer.

I will certainly be taking a look at the digital fundraising page you suggested also

Many thanks.

Andy & KT

I think that the Central Library hold a range of grant making directories in their reference section - you might well find that these include a directory of grants available to support individuals.

You might want to see if you can get to speak at Rotary/Round Table/Lions/WI/etc meetings - see if their club members would be willing to support local talent by sponsoring KT.

Have you spoken to the sports' NGB or Sport England to see what they have to suggest? It could also be worth seeing whether there is a sports development officer at the City council you could talk to - they might well have ideas/contacts.

There are also a range of business networks in Plymouth together with an active social media community - think about what local businesses would gain from support, and why local individuals would support - if you can come up with ideas it could be worth approaching these networks. However, unlike more charitable/sports/council they could well be looking at some form of return on investment so make sure you are clear on what you are asking for before you approach them (you'll only get one chance).

Hope that helps

Chris

Thanks for your comments Chris, there are some great ideas there I hadn't thought of

Guess I'm going to have to search around and find someone to help me as I suffer from a real social anxiety problem and there is no way I could speak to Rotary/etc meetings, its hard enough to pick up a phone to call someone I don't know.  But its a great idea.

Will certainly get my thinking cap on about what we can offer in return for support.

Thanks again

Andy

Happy to help.

Have a think to see whether there is anyone else who could do it - for example if KTs coach or club leader is really behind her, could they help? How about another relative. For people who are very nervous about public speaking (and it can be intimidating) there is a really good group in Plymouth called Armada Speakers which helps people to overcome their fears, learn some tricks of the trade, and develop skills.

I think you could also learn to use Twitter more effectively: 

• Think about it as a conversation - I notice that at the moment you are only speaking at people not with them
• Think about who you follow - I noticed that you don't appear to have any Plymouth people on your list (nor do you have any following you) - I know there are at least 900 Twitter users in Plymouth so there could be some to choose from - and if you start engaging with the Plymouth twitter community there are people out there who will engage back - I've become your first Plymouth follower!
• Engaging with local people and businesses on Twitter will help to build a sort of relationship and trust - you will find yourself some friends and people who talk about you to others - and once this develops you can drop in occasional requests for support without appearing mercenary...

Good luck

Chris

Thanks again Chris.

Unfortunately KT's coach (also club leader) is unable to help because he can't put the needs of one student above the needs of the others and is busy with his own engineering company.  Sadly also I'm not in a close-knit family so have no relatives able to help either, and as a lone father of 3 its just me at home. 

BUT I'm am certainly not going to let that stop me, I'll find some way.  A growing number of people are interested in what Katie is doing and hopefully, eventually, I might come across someone who has a little spare time and is willing to help out a little - and who knows maybe in time I will get enough confidence myself

We're off to Eindhoven at midnight tonight, Katie is competing in her first A-class international at Junior level so a tough weekend ahead but fingers crossed!    I get more nervous than she does!!

Thanks again.

Andy