So, you know you want to fundraise and support the Armed Forces community, but you want to keep your costs down in the process. Well, look no further. Here's 10 cheap fundraising ideas that will suit you and your pocket.

1. Bake Sale

Always a firm favourite, holding a bake sale is a cheap, quick, and easy fundraiser. A get together eating yummy cakes, what’s not to like? You can bake on your own or join forces with your friends or work colleagues to make it a community affair. Basic baking items are cheap to buy, or even better, if you know the owners of your local bakers or supermarkets you could ask them if they would like to donate items!

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2. Challenge Yourself

Another much loved cheap fundraiser is an active challenge. Choose an activity that involves setting yourself a goal and asking people to sponsor you to achieve your target. Eg 100 sit ups a day for a month or walk/run/hike/swim or cycle 200 miles in a month or even doing something all in one go like a half or full marathon.

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3. Celebrate Big National Events

Who doesn’t love a party? There are some key events happening this year so why not hold an event of your own and fundraise at the same time? Later in the year there are two big sporting events: the women’s football and the men’s rugby World Cups so why not hold BBQs or parties and celebrate together?

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4. Change Your Appearance

Whether it’s shaving your head or your beard, cutting your long locks to a short crop or waxing your hairy chest, this is a great cheap fundraising idea. The more dramatic the better so set yourself a target of how long you want your hair or beard to grow, arrange the date and tell all your friends to come and watch. Make it a big event. If you can hold it at your local pub or at a local event, all the better!


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5. Community Service

As well as supporting our heroes, a community service fundraiser brings many other benefits – togetherness, improving the lives of your local friends and neighbours, and a feel-good factor for your acts of kindness in return for a donation. There are lots of community fundraising ideas to choose from – wash cars, clean windows, pick up litter down your road, high street or in your local park, mow your neighbours’ lawns or do some weeding. All things guaranteed to make you, your community and veterans feel great.

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6. Hold a Clothes Sale

Time for a sort out and declutter! When spring arrives, why not have a look through your wardrobe and cupboards and see what you just don’t wear or use anymore. There’s nothing more satisfying than getting rid of stuff that’s just taking up space. Tell your friends and neighbours, set up a stall in your garage or front garden and be happy to see your items going to a new home, while fundraising for the Armed Forces community. Win-win.

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7. Pub Challenge

A pub challenge can take place whatever the weather, be it a 24-hour pool challenge or maybe a darts tournament (make those 180’s really count). What about holding a quiz night, everyone loves a quiz. Take your friends, older teens, parents, and grandparents for some more all-round knowledge. Speak to your local proprietor and make a night of it.

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8. Social Media Fundraiser or Challenge

A firm cheap fundraising favourite, the social media fundraiser is a fantastic way to fundraise. Decide on what you want to do – ask your friends or loved ones for donations instead of money or gifts for your birthday, and do something silly, brave, or slightly uncomfortable (think of the ice bucket challenge!).

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9. Sports Competition

Gather your friends and organise a sports competition – choose whatever you like. From football to rugby, netball to cricket and rounders to ice hockey, there’s something for everyone. If there’s a World Cup or another big sporting event on, there’ll be lots of interest and guaranteed fun.

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10. Sponsored Outfit

Always a winning fundraiser - a non-uniform day at school, dress down day at work, dress up for a theme, dress like a hero or best hat, the list is endless and all cheap to do if you use items you’ve already got in your wardrobe, or you can borrow them.

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Made Your Decision?

If you’ve decided on your cheap fundraiser, great! Register, and we’ll get the ball rolling. 

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Need More Ideas?

If none of these suggestions are floating your boat, why not check out some of our other fundraising ideas for inspiration.

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