As an agency, we are extremely proud to have worked with so many amazing charities over the years including Sue Ryder, Smile Train, Blue Cross, and The Royal Parks. As PR professionals, we understand and recognize the role that proactive media communications and a well-thought-out strategy can play in supporting charities, helping them raise awareness, change and challenge perceptions, and ultimately helping them deliver against their fundraising efforts.
However, the true force behind charity fundraising isn’t just the money raised—it’s the people who actively engage in raising awareness, rally support, and inspire others to join the cause.
The Spring Donor Pulse report from Enthuse highlighted that, while 44% of people say they are likely to take part in a fundraising event in 2024, a further 10% are undecided, meaning there is “plenty of opportunity for charities to engage the public in their fundraising events”.
At the heart of every successful fundraising effort are the people. Whether they are celebrities, social media influencers, corporate leaders, or everyday people, people are the drivers of charity initiatives. Their passion, commitment, and willingness to engage others is really what makes a difference.
For over a decade we have worked with the Royal Parks Half Marathon promoting London’s most iconic half marathon.
This year’s race saw its highest demand ever, achieving a record number of entrants in the ballot, a 43% increase compared to 2023. Since its inception in 2008, the race has now raised over £65 million for over 1,200 UK charities, with £6m raised this year.
Back in 2021, The Royal Parks Half Marathon, presented by Royal Bank of Canada, which has been the presenting partner of the race for the last 8 years, unveiled its “Inspire” campaign in search of inspiring charity runners. Each year we have successfully managed to profile each of the five Inspire runners chosen in the national media as well as securing broadcast coverage in their respective regions, helping to increase their fundraising efforts. We’ve placed case study stories for charities including GOSH, Cancer Research UK, Mind, and MacMillan to name a few.
Over the last 12 years, we’ve had several high-profile celebrities take part in the race that has been arranged through the great relationships we have with talent management agencies. This year Radio presenter Jenni Falconer and TV presenter Dermot O Leary were just two of the famous names to take to the start line. The influence that celebrities have in fundraising efforts can’t be underestimated, especially for high-profile events like the Royal Parks Half Marathon and both have championed the role that fundraising plays at events like the half marathon.
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‘Challenge’ events, such as runs or treks may seem the most obvious choice for celebrities to play an active role in both raising funds and awareness. However, charities should keep a broad mind in how celebrities can play their part, without the training and time commitment. One example, which provided an accessible and fun route for celebrities, is seen through our work with cleft charity, Smile Train. For their flagship fundraising event, the Big Smile Tea Party, we’ve hosted ‘celebri-TEA’ auctions, where celebrities have signed a teapot, which has then been auctioned on eBay. Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster kindly signed a teapot and posted about the campaign on their social media, which we were then able to leverage in the media, securing coverage in the likes of Mail Online. This was great for awareness, with the auction raising money directly for Smile Train too.
We’ve seen over the years just how much charities can benefit from celebrity participation, as it increases awareness, boosts donations, and encourages greater public engagement.
Interested in hearing about how we might be able to help you promote your charity or event? Speak to a member of our award-winning team today to find out how we can support you.