Without our supporters we would not be able to help the babies and their families who find themselves in need of the care provided by Buscot Ward. With financial uncertainties currently surrounding the NHS, the fundraising activities of charities such as BIBS are becoming far more important in ensuring that neonatal and special care baby units around the country have access to the latest and best equipment. Our work also supports the families of the babies as they go through a highly stressful period, full of uncertainty. We offer post natal support and facilities to make day to day life on the unit that little bit easier.
Ideas for Fundraising
So, what can you do to help BIBS? Here are some ideas…
Sponsored challenges
Many people choose to take part in sponsored events on behalf of BIBS. Be it running marathons and half marathons, sponsored walks, assault courses, cycle rides or mountain treks – there are many different things that you could do to raise money.
There are also a number of 3rd party event organisers who arrange sponsored charity challenges for people looking to do something a bit out of the ordinary. Ever wanted to scale Kilimanjaro? Or walk the Great Wall of China? Get together a group of friends or colleagues and share a once in a lifetime experience whilst raising much needed money for BIBS at the same time. There is often a minimum fundraising target to cover costs, but then the majority of funds raised will come to us. You can search for these organisers online. If BIBS is not listed as a charity then just ask the organisers to contact us and we will get registered. To start with you could try –
http://www.skylinecharity.co.uk/
http://www.actionchallenge.com/challenges
The sky is the limit when raising funds for BIBS!
Kilimanjaro
Reading Half Marathon
Every year, we have a wonderful team of people running the Reading Half Marathon for team BIBS! If you are interested in joining the team for the next Half Marathon, then please get in touch. The more the merrier!
BIBR runner 2014
Corporate sponsorship
The majority of companies and businesses will support charities for both goodwill and for tax reasons. Many will nominate a charity of the year and raise funds for them over a 12 month period. Others organise activities such as ‘dress down days’ and donate the funds received to a chosen charity. Some larger companies will organise events or even offer a percentage of revenue. The opportunities here are plentiful so why not ask your employer how they can help? You never know until you try. There is also the workplace giving scheme whereby you make a pre-tax donation from your earnings. This scheme comes highly recommended. https://www.workplacegiving.co.uk/
Sponsored car wash by Towry Ltd in Bracknell raised £250 for BIBS’ Saving Tiny Lives incubator appeal
Local retailers
Keep an eye open when you’re shopping or going to the bank. Many retailers run schemes where their customers can nominate charities to receive help in some way. Stores such as Asda and Waitrose operate green token schemes and some banks operate similar systems. Most retailers select a charity of the year to support, so why not ask how to nominate BIBS the next time you’re speaking to somebody in store?
Schools, nurseries, colleges
Just about every school will support one or more charities throughout their academic year in a number of ways. Please see our schools section for more information.
Sports teams
Are you a member of a sports team? Many teams around the area select a charity to support at one or a number of times throughout their season. Some have supported BIBS in the past by operating charity collections or by holding an event or tournament.
Fundraising events
Many BIBS supporters have organised events over the years, ranging from a simple cake sale, car boot, pub quiz night or summer barbecue to a concert or even a gala ball. BIBS can supply some printable materials or logos etc and if requested sometimes a BIBS committee member could attend. We also have a range of merchandise that you could sell to make some extra cash. We will help you as much as we can and we’re always happy to promote your event via Facebook, Twitter and our website to help get numbers up.
BIBS merchandise
Celebrations
Occasionally our supporters will ask for a donation to be made to BIBS in place of a gift. This could be for birthdays, christenings, weddings, anything people that people celebrate really!
Collection boxes
We have a small number of collection boxes available to use. Do you know the manager of a local shop, pub or business? Why not ask if they are accepting collection boxes for people to pop their loose change into? If you have anybody interested then please contact us.
Legacy giving
This is an area we are currently exploring and will be putting together some further details in the near future. If you would like to know more then please contact us or alternatively speak with your legal representative.
Skills donation
Do you have particular skills that would help BIBS? It is sometimes difficult to do things on the ward but perhaps you could hold a workshop where people can make a donation? Maybe you have skills in marketing or blogging? We are always keen to hear from members of the community that can offer a bit of time to help us. Maybe you have a large Facebook, Twitter of LinkedIn following? Why not share one of our posts from time to time to help spread the word?
Past Fundraising Activities
- Russell Fry ran the London Marathon for BIBS. His son, Henry, was born in 2008 at 27 weeks and spent 106 days in Buscot. You can read Henry’s story here
- Big thanks to Daniel Toms, Nick Crease, Daniel Graham and Adam Bond for travelling up to Lincolnshire to take on the Rat Race 200 obstacle 20 mile assault course to raise money for our Saving Tiny Lives appeal. Well done guys!
- Markos Stratford cycled from London to Paris to raise money for BIBS. Read more about his story: http://www.justgiving.com/cous
- Antony Greaves ran his first ultra-marathon (100km) to raise money for BIBS to say thank you for the care his daughter received in Buscot Ward. http://www.justgiving.com/Ant4Bibs
- Nick Wood ran the Greater Manchester marathon in aid of BIBS in April. Nick’s son Elliot was in Buscot ward in 2013 and is now a happy and healthy little boy! http://www.justgiving.com/RunningForBuscot
- Steven Cole took part in the Tough Mudder 12 mile assault course in April to raise money for BIBS. His daughter Layla was born 9 weeks early and spent 6 weeks on Buscot. www.virginmoneygiving.com/StevenCole
- On 2 March 2014 a team of parents, family and friends of graduated Buscot babies ran the Reading Half Marathon to raise funds for BIBS http://bibr99.wix.com/rdghalf
- A very brave Brian Dixon raised money for the unit following the care his granddaughter, Molly, received in 2009 . Brian walked Coast-to-Coast in Great Britain with some close friends. For more details of Brian’s amazing walk see his website at www.walkformolly.com.
- On 1st March 2014 Suzanne Page-Smith held a ladies night in Tilehurst and raised £1,478 for BIBS. Two of her children, Lola and Harry, were born prematurely and spent time on Buscot ward.
- Sophie Pepper was born at 26 weeks in January 1985 and spent three months in Buscot. Now 28 years on she has completed a skydive with partner Ben Hennessy to raise £725 for BIBS.
- Tom, Nicky and Bea Culetto raised £600 by walking the Seven Sisters in September 2012. Nicky and Tom wanted to give something back to Buscot after their daughter Bea was born prematurely in October 2011
- Westwood Wanderers FC raised £2300 for BIBS by holding a charity fund raising night. Plus they arranged to have the cheque presented to us at half time at the Reading football match.
- Jody Dobson has raised £1,000 for BIBS by trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro, the reason as he puts it “Because of all the great work they do for babies at Buscot”.
- 3 players from St Anthony’s GAA Reading, Dave Casey, John Reilly and Timmy Birchall ran the Reading Half Marathon 2014 in aid of BIBS, raising £863 in the process!
- Steve Greenough organised a race night in Oxford in March 2014 raising a grand total of £1,805 which was split between BIBS and SSNAP in Oxford.
Daniel, Dan, Adam and Nick for taking part in the 20 mile Rat Race assault course
If you would like us to include details of your fundraising activities on this site, please contact us
