Fundraise

Fundraise

Thank you for choosing to fundraise in aid of Mental Health Ireland!

By supporting Mental Health Ireland, you are helping us promote positive mental health to schools, communities and workplaces around Ireland as well as supporting the recovery of people with lived experience and their families. 

We are delighted to have you on board!

If you are planning an event, please send us an email to fundraising@mentalhealthireland.ie so we can chat about your fundraisers and get your fundraising kit out to you.

You can now share your fundraiser with your Facebook friends by setting up a fundraising page on Facebook. You can also set up a fundraising page on JustGiving or GoFundMe.

These online options are really easy to set up and the funds come directly to Mental Health Ireland, meaning you don’t have to handle any cash.

We Support You

All money raised supports the promotion of positive mental health and wellbeing to communities, schools and communities all over Ireland via our programmes and campaigns.

Please contact fundraising@mentalhealthireland.ie to let us know about your event so we can support you and promote your fundraiser on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

Need Some Inspiration?

We have had lots of fantastic people raise funds for us in every way you can think!

If you are stuck for an idea think about what it is that makes you happy or you enjoy doing and see if you could turn that into a fundraising idea! Or perhaps think of a challenge you’d like to attempt.

Here are a few fundraisers our supporters organised in aid of Mental Health Ireland, they might spark an idea for you! You can check out some information here about setting up an event in aid of Mental Health Ireland.

Fundraise
23rd April 2019

Women’s Mini Marathon

The VHI Women's Mini Marathon takes place on the June Bank Holiday Weekend every year. We’d love you to join our team!
Fundraise
20th September 2018

Connect Cafe

This is a fun way to reach out and make connections with colleagues, peers and loved ones.
Fundraise
21st September 2017

Virtual Challenge

Take on a virtual challenge for mental health
Fundraise
20th September 2017

5000 Steps to Wellbeing Walk

Organise your own 5000 Steps to Wellbeing Walk at a time and place that suits you!
Fundraise
20th September 2017

Corporate Fundraising

Support mental health at work with your colleagues and team!

Womens Mini Marathon

The VHI Women’s Mini Marathon takes place on the June Bank Holiday Weekend.

It is an opportunity to walk, jog or run with thousands of women from all over Ireland – together at the flagship event – or virtually – all while raising much needed funds for Mental Health Ireland. 

We would be delighted if you decided to fundraise in aid of Mental Health Ireland and joined the team of women we have walking, jogging and running with us.

We hope you can join our team!

Join Our Team

5000 Steps to Wellbeing Walk

Organise your own 5000 Steps to Wellbeing Walk in your workplace, school or community. You can walk separately to adhere to safety guidelines, while fundraising together! 

  • Get outside and keep active while supporting mental health! 
  • Walks can take place at any time of the year that suits you and your team.
  • Every walker gets a FREE t-shirt… if the order is in in time!

The walk is 4km distance. Everyone walks at their own pace and gets to learn about the Five Ways to Wellbeing too.

Download Pack

Facebook Fundraiser

Not sure if you have the time to organise a fundraising event? Why not set up a fundraiser on Facebook in aid of Mental Health Ireland.

It’s so easy to set up.

  • Set your fundraising target
  • Set the duration of your fundraiser
  • Invite your Facebook Friends to donate to your page.

You can set up a birthday fundraiser or use Facebook Fundraising to support an event or awareness campaign.

Facebook Fundraiser

Organising an Event in Aid of Mental Health Ireland

If you would like to organise an event to fundraise for Mental Health Ireland or your local Mental Health Association and you need a little help this event guide may be of assistance.

Planning an Event

There are many types of events you can host or run to support Mental Health Ireland or your local Mental Health Association. By hosting an event you are raising awareness of mental health amongst your friends, families, community and peers.

You don’t need to be an event planner to organise an event. Here are some ideas of easy to organize events:

  1. Host a 5000 Steps to Wellbeing Walk in your workplace or community or a virtual Connect Cafe.
  2. Host an online mental health talk inviting the community to attend. Topics could include Mindfulness, Stress or Anxiety
  3. Host a virtual quiz night. 
  4. Organise a football/hurling/ rugby blitz with your local club.
5000 Steps To Wellbeing

Keep it Safe

  1. If you’re hosting an event it’s worthwhile conducting a risk assessment to plan for any eventualities that may arise. Please adhere to any current Covid-19 related restrictions and guidelines. 
  2. You need to think about accessibility and if you are covered by public liability insurance.
  3. You need to provide appropriate supervision for children and at-risk adults.
  4. If preparing or serving food at your event please read these food safety guidelines from Safe Food. 
Safe Food

Raise Some Money

If you fundraise for Mental Health Ireland or your local Mental Health Association all money raised will go directly back into the promotion of mental health in your local community and nationally.

You need to ensure you are collecting funds legally and adhering to MHI’s event standards. Here is a brief outline of your obligations:

Raffles:

  • You do not need a license to sell tickets for a raffle at a big event where the raffle forms a smaller part. You must sell the tickets and draw the prize at the event. This also applies to raffles to members of a local club, at private events or at work.
  • You must apply for a license to your local council for large scale lotteries where you are selling tickets to the public.

Collections:

  • For collections in a supermarket, pub or shop seek the permission of the manager.
  • Street collections require permission from the local council
  • Door-to-door collections require a permit from the council

Get Sponsorship for Your Event

You may need sponsorship for your event in the form of a venue, food, beverages, goods or services. The first place you should look is your network of friends, family and local community. We are firm believers of “If you don’t ask, you’ll never know” so don’t be afraid to ask!

Here are some guidelines when approaching potential sponsors:

  • Have a clear vision of your event and be able to explain it well including where all funding raised will be donated.
  • We are happy to talk to any potential sponsors regarding your event and can be contacted on 01 284 1166
  • Approach each sponsor with a specific ask. Detail what you would like from them and why.
  • Ensure potential sponsors are compatible with your event and your goals.
  • Think about which businesses might benefit from a partnership with you going forward and how you can add value to them.
  • Identify successful businesses/ services in your local community including supermarkets, banks or sports groups who may have a charity fund.
Call Us About Sponsorship

Media Tips for Your Event

  • Three weeks before your event phone your local media to get the best contact information to suit your event. This may be the notices in advance and the health/lifestyle correspondent for the event information.
  • Prepare a press release about your event. Keep it snappy. A long press release will be glossed over.
  • Use quotes from relevant people… well known people are always of interest.
  • Don’t over-hype your story… keep it simple and factual.
  • Let them know if there is a photo opportunity at your event and invite them along.

Share Your Story

Tell us about your event

  • If you are hosting an event please let us know. We can add your event to our social media outlets and include you in our events section of our website.
  • We would also love to hear how your event went and to see some photos or videos once it’s all over! Send all event information to fundraising@mentalhealthireland.ie

Spread the word on social media

  • If you are hosting an event what better way to spread the word than over Facebook and Twitter to your social networks.
  • You can create an event page for your event on Facebook inviting your friends and also post updates to your page.
  • Don’t forget to link in with us on our social media platforms! 

Use your local networks

  • Local schools, libraries, colleges, councils, community organisations and businesses may agree to promote your event on their websites, newsletters or noticeboards.
  • Remember, if you don’t ask, you’ll never know!

Local media

  • Contact your local paper and radio station with information about your event for their notice announcements.
  • Our Development Officers are available for media interviews locally and will be pitched to local media in advance.
Email Fundraising

Here are More Fun Event Ideas

Happiness in Kindness – A free kindness workshop where attendees receive a Kindness Journal to record their everyday acts of kindness.

Stress Less Fest – teaming up with local sports, arts and crafts, music and dance professionals, host a workshop where participants learn of the mental health benefits of these activities helping them gain a holistic understanding of health and wellbeing.

Express yourself – host events at schools and colleges where students can express their thoughts on mental health and wellbeing via art, music, dance, song, writing or drama. Put on an exhibition to showcase all the talent

Balloon release – take a walk about in your community with some helium balloons. Ask members of the public to write a worry of theirs on a tag, tie it to the balloon and release it. This makes for some great photos too so get snapping!

Looking After Yourself and Others at Your Event

Be Prepared

  • If you do not have experience of dealing with mental health queries it would be a good idea to have someone on your team who has some experience in this area.
  • Is there a requirement for some peer support in case someone attending needs to talk to someone?

Practice respectful communication

  • Listen actively to what people are saying, trying not to draw comparison to your experience.

Know your boundaries

  • Think in advance about what your boundaries are. What do you feel comfortable talking about? What do you need more information on? If you need to refer someone for support do you have that information to hand?
  • Be honest about your limitations… it’s ok not to know everything.

Look after yourself and your team

  • Get together before your event and develop a plan to relieve your team of their duties every hour for a break.
  • Keep an eye out for each other at the event
  • Have one point of contact for any emergency that may occur and be sure to communicate who this person is and a contact umber for him/her.
  • Finally, don’t forget to have fun yourselves!

It includes a few ideas of what you can do and also sets out some important health and safety guidelines.

For further information please contact fundraising@mentalhealthireland.ie or call us on 01 284 6611

Email Fundraising

For Further Support Contact The Samaritans

Samaritans is a unique charity dedicated to reducing feelings of isolation and disconnection that can lead to suicide. Every six seconds they respond to a call for help. They’re there 24/7, before, during and after a crisis and they make sure there’s always someone there, for anyone who needs someone.

Five Ways To Well Being

Connect

Be Active

Take Notice

Keep Learning

Give

To Support us Please Donate by Cheque, Paypal or Text ‘MHI’ to 50300 to Donate €4.

Your donation could give someone hope and let them know they are not alone. With your help we can be there for everyone who needs us. Thank you for your support.
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