Getting started

I don’t know how I want to fundraise yet. Can you help me with fundraising ideas?

Whether you’re super sporty or a brilliant baker, there’s loads of exciting ways you can get involved and fundraise for the Woodland Trust. From a sponsored dog walk to running a marathon, we’ve got some great ideas to help you get started whether you’re fundraising as an individual, fundraising as a group or fundraising in the workplace.

How do I set up a fundraising page?

There are many fundraising platforms out there, so there’s loads to choose from. We highly recommend doing your fundraising using JustGiving.

JustGiving is a great way to fundraise for your event and collect donations online from your friends, family, colleagues and anyone else who wants to support you. You can even add your offline donations to your fundraising total.

Setting up your JustGiving fundraising page is simple and only takes a few minutes.

How do I pay in my money?

Once you have finished your fundraising journey, there are plenty of ways you can pay in your money.

  1. If you are using JustGiving, you don’t need to pay in your funds. This is done automatically via the JustGiving website. 
  2. Send us a cheque to our head office at Woodland Trust, Kempton Way, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 6LL. Please make all cheques payable to The Woodland Trust.
  3. If you would prefer to transfer the money into your own bank account and pay by card over the phone, you can do this by calling us on 0330 333 3300. Our offices are open Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 5pm.
  4. You can make a donation through our website via our online donations form.

Fundraising resources and extra help

Where can I find resources to support my fundraising activity?

We have a number of downloadable resources available to help you get started, from high-res logos to posters, bucket labels and social media posts. Visit our downloads page to find everything you need.

If you don't have access to a printer or if you would like us to post resources to you, simply email us at challenge@woodlandtrust.org.uk and we'll get you set up.

I don’t have access to a computer. How can I fundraise?

You don't need to be online to do great things to support the Woodland Trust. Our team is on hand to help over the phone – call us on 0330 333 3300 and we can send you everything you need to get started on your fundraising journey. 

Once you've collected your donations and you’re ready to pay in your money, there are two ways you can do this:

  1. Send us a cheque to our head office at Woodland Trust, Kempton Way, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 6LL. Please make cheques payable to The Woodland Trust.
  2. If you would prefer to transfer the money into your own bank account and pay by card over the phone, you can do this by calling us on 0330 333 3300. Our offices are open Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 5pm.

Fundraising in memory

I want to fundraise in memory of a loved one. How can I do this?

Fundraising in memory of a loved one allows you to continue their legacy and celebrate their love and passion for woods, trees and the great outdoors.

To get started, visit JustGiving to set up an in-memory fundraising page.

We’ve collected money at a funeral. How do I pay in the money?

One way to celebrate the life of a loved one is to ask family and friends to make a donation at their funeral service. Often people choose to make a donation in lieu of flowers.

If you have set up an in-memory fundraising page, you can easily add these to your fund. If you do not already have a fundraising page, there are a number of ways you can send your funeral collection donation to us:

  1. Send a cheque to our head office at Woodland Trust, Kempton Way, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 6LL. Please make all cheques payable to The Woodland Trust.
  2. If you would prefer to transfer the money into your own bank account and make a donation online, pay in through our donation form.
  3. If you would prefer to transfer the money into your own bank account and pay by card over the phone, you can do this by calling us on 0330 333 3300. Our offices are open Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 5pm.

Gift Aid

What is Gift Aid and what does it mean?

Gift Aid is a tax incentive which allows charities to reclaim an extra 25% on every eligible donation made by a UK taxpayer. It doesn’t cost you, the fundraiser or those people donating to your cause anything extra at all.

For example, if you donate £100 to charity, we can claim Gift Aid to make your donation £125.

When can I not claim Gift Aid? 

You must not claim Gift Aid if the money you are giving is not your own money. For example, if you are taking part in a fundraising event and have collected money from those who have sponsored you, paid it into your own bank account, then want to pay it to your chosen charity, you must not tick the box to say you would like to Gift Aid. 

You also cannot claim Gift Aid on proceeds of a sale. An example of this would be if you have sold tickets to an event, sold raffle tickets or sold a cake at a charity cake sale.

Where your money goes

Can I request that the money I raise goes to a specific wood or project?

Yes. We are always working on a variety of campaigns, projects and appeals across the UK. If you see something in particular that you feel passionate about and would like to fundraise for, we encourage you to get in touch and let us know what you are planning and how much you hope to raise.

If a particular project is fully funded by the time we receive your donation, your donation will go towards our on-going work of protecting, restoring and creating woods and trees across the UK. 

How will you spend my money?

We couldn’t do the great work we do without financial support. And when you give to us, we want you to be confident we’re spending your money wisely.

Everything we do is an investment in the future, and every penny you give us will protect the woods and trees you love. Whether it helps with the on-going costs of looking after the woods in our care, planting new trees or buying threatened ancient woodland, there is so much that your money achieves.

Find out more about where your money goes.

What happens with the donations if I change my mind or if I don't complete my fundraising activity?

We are unable to refund donations. The donation is freely given with nothing received in return. Please rest assured the donations will be used towards our essential work of creating new woodland and protecting and caring for existing woodland for future generations to enjoy.

Need more advice?

For extra support on making the most of your fundraising event, contact our friendly team on 0330 333 3300, or email challenge@woodlandtrust.org.uk.