"I’m running the marathon for you but I’m hosting a drag bingo night to help reach my
fundraising target. I’m folding 1000 paper cranes in 24 hours to raise money for the hospice.” These are just some of the conversation starters I’ve had as Fundraiser at Children’s Hospice South West. To say no 2 days are the same is an understatement – it really is the most random but rewarding job I’ve had!
As a Fundraiser I help our amazing supporters in the community and business world raise money for our wonderful charity. Usually, the conversation starts with an idea that sounds impossible but through phone calls and meetings I find out why they want to support us and how we can make their fundraising a success.
The Fundraising Team can design posters, send out branded t-shirts and other materials like bunting, stickers, sponsor forms and leaflets. We can help with setting up online fundraising pages, advertising events on our social media platforms and website and arrange to talk to groups about the amazing work we do.
I also support the wider team with some of the larger scale fundraising events we organise like The Incredible Hike and RUN Barnstaple. This could involve asking business contacts to sponsor events, signing up volunteers, driving participants from locations or collecting signage that’s been placed around event routes. Essentially anything to ensure the event runs smoothly and participants and spectators are looked after and have the best experience on the day. 
However, the best part of being a Fundraiser at Children’s Hospice South West is definitely getting to meet the families, children and young people we support. To be able to meet parents, interact with our children and see how we help families create life-long memories when they come and stay at Little Bridge House has been amazing.
To see the dedication of our care and nursing staff and the relationships they build with our children is such a privilege and comes full circle when we occasionally support staff in fundraising activities they sign up for like skydives, hikes and marathons. 
As a Fundraiser being able to see, feel and understand, through first-hand knowledge, the struggles some families who have a child or young person with a life-limiting condition face and overcome is both moving and awe-inspiring. It’s what makes me get up in the morning and do this job as I know I can play a small part in making sure we can help make those magical memories for the families we support.
Would you like to work or volunteer for Children's Hospice South West knowing that you are making a difference to local families who need our care and support? We have a range of opportunities available at Little Bridge House. See our current vacancies at www.chsw.org.uk/jobs or call 01271 325270 to talk to our Fundraising Team about volunteering.