Rules and regulations
If you are running any fundraising activity for your event that involves the public – YOU are responsible for ensuring that it complies with all the legal requirements. Oxfam cannot accept any liability for any activities run in our name.
Events
- Contact your local council for any necessary permissions, licensing, trading standards, and health & safety issues.
- Contact the police if you are planning an event in a public place e.g. if the event is to be held on public roads and could cause traffic disruption.
Collections
- You need a licence from your local authority to collect funds in the street, in any public place, or house-to-house – otherwise it is illegal. Most authorities have details of how to apply for a licence on their website, but you should allow at least two months for it to come though.
- If you are collecting on private property e.g. a pub or supermarket, you must obtain written permission from the owner or manager, and when collecting you must always have a copy of this permission with you.
- Anyone collecting money in public, must be over 16.
- Please do not pressurise people to donate, and please do not act in a manner that might damage Oxfam’s good reputation.
Collection Boxes
- We can’t supply collection boxes, buckets or tins for fundraisers.
- All donations must be placed in a sealed container – the seal can be a lock, or adhesive paper – anything that provides a way of easily detecting any attempt to tamper with it.
- Collection buckets and tins must be opened and counted by two people – you and someone to whom you are not related.
Raffles and lotteries
- These are subject to very strict and complex laws – therefore you MUST consult The Institute of Fundraising Laws, before organising a raffle or lottery.
- We also recommend that you get a copy of Lotteries and the Law, from the Gaming Board of Great Britain,
- In Northern Ireland contact the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action for a copy of their booklet Lotteries: A Guide for Voluntary Groups.
Health and safety
We want everyone to be safe while having fun and raising funds – that’s why we don’t encourage particularly hazardous activities, and definitely not without specialist supervision. Oxfam cannot accept any liability for accidents.
Staying safe
- Any activity must comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (www.hse.gov.uk), and all other relevant legislation – and remember the Act applies to volunteers as well as to employees.
- If you are carrying money around, always consider personal security – use a safe route, be accompanied if possible, or carry a personal alarm.
- Make sure that no-one is fundraising, working or spectating in an unsafe environment.
- If using sub-contractors or facilities e.g. portaloos, bouncy castles etc. make sure that the they have the requisite experience and insurance cover.
- Think about first aid requirements and fire safety – contact your local St John’s Ambulance and Fire Station respectively for advice and help.
- You can get free health and safety advice from The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), it is very worthwhile checking their ‘five steps to a risk assessment’ before putting on an event.
