Contact your local council for any necessary permissions, licensing, trading standards, and health and safety issues. Contact the police if you are planning an event in a public place, for example, if the event is to be held on public roads and could cause traffic disruption.

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.

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.

Any activity must comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, 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 worthwhile checking their ‘five steps to a risk assessment’ before putting on an event.