How to set up your own fundraiser

Loneliness is something many seniors experience. They sometimes have no friends or family to speak to.

Detach from the digital age or stay silent for as long as possible. If you're feeling adventurous, it could be half a day, a day, or a week. How far are you willing to go for the spread of the Gospel?

Ultimate Challenge

If you think either one is easy, combine both! See how long you can manage without digital connection and verbal communication.

Be creative in finding other ways to communicate throughout the day, such as holding up cards, making sign gestures, and learning sign language!

Get your friends to record you throughout the day! Hold a break-silence party where you can explain your reasoning for doing it, what you learnt, how God worked in the silence, how you felt, and the challenges, and encourage others to do it!

FAQS

1. What is a sponsored silence?

A sponsored silence is an event where participants remain silent for a set time, either by avoiding verbal communication or digital devices (or both). The goal is to raise awareness and raise funds for the seniors' ministry.

2. How do I participate in the sponsored silence?

You can participate by registering here and then choosing one of the following options:

• Verbal Silence: Refrain from speaking for a specific time (half a day, full day, etc.).
• Digital Silence: Stay off digital devices (phones, computers, social media) for a designated time.
• Ultimate Challenge: Both verbal and digital silence combined for your chosen duration.

Once you’ve decided, simply sign up, set up your fundraising page, and start securing sponsors for your challenge!

3. How long do I have to stay silent? You can choose the duration that suits you best:

• Half a day
• Full day
• One week (for the more adventurous!) The choice is yours, but remember: the longer you go, the more impactful your experience will be in raising awareness and funds!

4. Do I need to raise money to participate? While fundraising is encouraged, you don’t have to raise money to participate. However, the primary aim of the event is to raise funds to support the work with seniors. We therefore encourage participants to ask family, friends, or colleagues to sponsor them.

5. How do I get sponsors? You can ask your church, friends, family, and co-workers to sponsor you. You can share your fundraising page link with them to make it easy for them to donate online.

6. Can I still communicate with others during the event? Yes, but you must do so without using verbal communication or digital devices. You’ll need to get creative! You can use:

• Sign language
• Gesture-based communication
• Communication cards (you can create these with simple messages)
• Sticky notes or whiteboards

7. What happens if I break my silence? We understand that staying silent for long periods can be difficult. The goal is to challenge yourself, but there’s no pressure to complete the entire time. If you need a break or can't finish, just do your best. You can still share your experience and encourage others to do the same.

8. How do I submit my sponsorship donations? You can submit your sponsorship donations online through your fundraising page on JustGiving or you can request a sponsorship form from us.

If you have any other questions or need more information, please email us at events@lcm.org.uk. We’re excited to have you participate in this meaningful and impactful experience!

Participating in London City Mission’s Big Brew is as easy as putting the kettle on.

Invite your friends, family, church, or colleagues, have a chat, and maybe even treat yourselves to some cake. The funds you raise will help someone homeless in London hear the gospel for the first time.

This is a wonderful opportunity for you to share the work of London City Mission with your friends over a cup of tea (or coffee).

Sign up now to get everything you need to get started in the post.

Host your own Sleepout for people to experience a glimpse of what many in London experience.

Last year, more than 10,000 slept homeless in London. That’s an incredible number of people without a roof over their heads. With the cost of living crisis, hundreds more will become homeless this winter – this is tragic!

This means someone will be sleeping on the streets for the first time every day. Can you help by raising vital funds to help rough sleepers in London?

The funds you raise will help provide guests at our Webber Street Day centre in Waterloo with warm breakfasts, clean clothes, help with finding accommodation and a chance to hear the good news of Jesus, shared with them lovingly and sensitively.

Register here button

FAQs

1. How do I host my own Sleepout?

To host your own Sleepout, start by choosing a date and location. You can organise it in your backyard, church, community space, or safe outdoor area. Gather participants and share the details with your community to encourage donations.

2. What should I tell people to bring?

Bring warm clothing, a sleeping bag, a ground mat, and possibly a tent for safety and comfort. You should also have water, snacks, and a flashlight or lantern. Check the weather forecast and be prepared for cold or wet conditions. If you're in a group, you may want to consider sharing supplies.

3. How can I raise funds for the Big Winter Sleepout?

You can raise funds by sharing your sleepout event with friends, family, and community. Create a fundraising page here, share your story, and encourage donations. Utilise social media, email, and even traditional flyers to spread the word. The more people who know about your event, the more you can raise to support the homeless ministry.

4.How do I ensure safety during the sleepout?

Safety is paramount during your sleepout. Choose a safe and secure location, preferably one familiar to you and your participants. Make sure to have emergency contact numbers, avoid risky locations (like near busy roads), and ensure that participants are dressed warmly and comfortably. Having a backup plan in case of extreme weather conditions is also a good idea.