Sponsors, Press, and Fundraising!!

Yep... it's got to that stage where all I can think about is how we are going to find the sponsors, and raise the funds necessary to make this project the success it deserves to be.

We had good news today, in that the 'Community Channel' have agreed to support the project, and although they don't fund such initiatives in advance, they will run our weekly video blogs on their site, with the intention of commissioning our film on its completion. This is great, because it will mean that our video will stay on their site indefinitely. A friend's project 'Cycle of Life' has been on there since last July and already received 4000 views, so it's great for getting exposure for the project

I drew up a rather worrying 'fundraising targets' document yesterday, and have decided that our initial goal will be £18,000. This includes the £5,500 which will be split between each charity we visit, as well as the car, the camera, all visas, ferrys, flights back, petrol, insurance, and costs (such as food and water). it does not include camping and emergency equipment, or vehicle modification, as we will rely on the fact these will come through sponsors.

Our approach for raising the funds are multiple, but will begin with a focus on 'Patch' sponsorship. Each patch (country) on the website is available to sponsor for a minimum donation of £500. This money will then be split 50:50 between the country specific charity, and our costs getting through said country. This will raise a minimum of £11,000, which will work out at £5,500 to the charities, and £5,500 towards our costs.

This will leave us with a a target of £7000 still left to raise. This we will break up into three major categories; corporate sponsorship and grants, supporter donations, and fundraising events. I have set these individual targets at approximately £4000, £1500, and £1500 consecutively. We should be getting confirmation of our charity status through in the next 6-8 weeks, and from that put onwards will begin the real fundraising push.

Press is the other major issue right now! We need to confirm as much press as possible as a way of attracting sponsors. I have written to various journo contacts today, and we will begin writing to local press this weekend to request some exposure.

What we could do with in terms of help from you is any contacts who would be able to help with camping/emergency equipment and vehicle modification, anyone who works in press and could help us with getting exposure, anyone who is willing to sponsor either a patch or the project to a greater degree. Any help of course, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again, and
'peace by piece'