Get publicity

Have a think about all the different people who might be likely to support you, and the best way to communicate with them.

• Make a list of the best media to contact – local radio, TV, newspapers, magazines, specialist publications and journals or company newsletters.
• Ask about putting up posters in community centres, doctors’/dentists' surgeries, libraries, shops, post offices, schools, churches – but remember fly-posting is illegal.
• Contact your local Oxfam shop – or call our Shop Support Team on 0845 3000 311, and they’ll be able to tell you if your local shop will be able to help.

Any publicity you do should also comply with charity law. See rules and regulations section for all the details.

To comply with charity law, all publicity materials must include the following statements:

• ‘All proceeds/profits will be donated to Oxfam.’
• ‘Oxfam GB is a member of Oxfam International, registered as a charity in England and Wales (no 202918) and Scotland (SCO 039042).’
• ‘Oxfam works with others to overcome poverty and suffering.’

You need to make it clear that you are raising money in aid of Oxfam. If you are not an Oxfam employee, you should also make it clear that you don't represent Oxfam.

Write a press release

To get coverage in your local media you need to make your story newsworthy. This means:

• including details of the event that you’re taking part in
• the fact that you’re raising money for Oxfam
• the total that you are hoping to raise.

Write the words ‘press release’ at the top. Include the date, and an attention-grabbing headline. Under the heading ‘Notes for Editors’, put your contact details.

Below the contact details please include this short description of Oxfam:

Oxfam GB is a campaigning and development aid agency, which works with others in more than 70 countries around the world to tackle poverty and save lives, and campaigns to deliver long-lasting change. See: http://www.oxfam.org.uk

If you wish to use the Oxfam logo in any of your materials there are certain ‘dos and don’ts’ – take a look at the ‘Using our logo’ section.

If possible your release should include an interesting quote – perhaps about your decision to support Oxfam.

Try to get all the crucial information up front in your release. The things that a journalist will always want to know:

• Who – is this story about?
  What – are they doing (that makes this interesting/unusual)?
  Why – are they doing it (and why should we print it)?
  Where – is it happening?
  When – is it happening?
  How – are they going to do it?

It should be typed, double spaced for legibility, and no longer than one side.

Show us the money

You need to get the money you’ve raised to us by a specific deadline.

The best ways of getting your money to us after your event are:

• Pay in your money online:
  
  Trailwalker: (fundraising deadline: 30 September 2009)
  Pay in the money you’ve raised for Trailwalker
  
  Trailtrekker: (fundraising deadline: 1 September 2009)
  Pay in the money you’ve raised for Trailtrekker
  
  Oxfam Walk: (fundraising deadline: 31 July 2009)
  Pay in the money you’ve raised for Oxfam Walk
  
  
• Write a cheque for the total amount payable to ‘Oxfam’, then send this, along with your fully completed paying-in form to:
  
  [Name of event],
  Oxfam Events Team,
  Oxfam GB,
  John Smith Drive,
  Cowley,
  Oxford OX4 2JY

• You can send your sponsorship money by postal order – but please do not send cash through the post.
• Please don’t take your fundraising money to an Oxfam shop either, because this will only be recorded as a ‘public donation’, and we won’t have a record of how much you’ve raised.

Remember whenever you’re fundraising to ask people to tick the Gift Aid box.

Extras

Trailwalker resources

Trailwalker press release template

Trailwalker presentation (15MB, .exe file)

Trailwalker brochure

Trailtrekker resources

Trailtrekker press release template

Trailtrekker presentation (14MB, .exe file)

Trailtrekker brochure

London Marathon resources

Oxfam's London Marathon brochure

• Phil’s marathon guide