Legal information

It’s crucial that you follow food hygiene rules if you’re serving food at your event. Here are some tips:

• Labelling –  you should make sure that all food is clearly labelled with any allergens it might contain (nuts, dairy, gluten)
• Dietary restrictions – if you’re preparing food for someone with a specific diet (for example, someone who is coeliac or vegan), set their food aside for them and clearly label it
• When you’re at a venue, check in and see if they have food hygiene insurance. If they don’t, you might need to get some for your event

When you’re holding an event at any venue, always double check that they’ve got the right insurance to cover you throughout. If they don’t, you might have to get your own public liability insurance for the day.

Ask your venue for a copy of their risk assessment. They might also ask you to complete a risk assessment before the event, too.

Before you get started, please make sure you follow these guidelines. They’re here to help keep you protected while you fundraise.

• Take care at your collection. Fully brief your volunteers and follow all instructions provided by the venue where you’re collecting
• Collectors must be 18 or over. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult
• Keep your letter of authorisation with you during your collection in case you are asked for it
• When ordering a bucket, we’ll provide you with seals. Make sure you properly seal your bucket before collecting
• When it comes to counting money, put collection buckets in unmarked bags or in a wheeled suitcase
• There should always be 2 people counting money. Make sure you’re in a safe location and that you’re both present when you do
• Avoid public transport. If possible, drive to the collection and park nearby or get somebody to drive you home when you’ve finished
• To pay in, you can send your money by bank transfer, pay in online or over the phone. Call us on 0207 025 2425 for more details or visit our pay in information page

Raffles are a fundraising staple for a reason. It really is easy to add one onto your event. You just need to read through a few quick rules first.

• Before you start a raffle, you’ll need a letter of authority from us to prove that you’re fundraising for a charity. It’s easy, just pop us an email and we’ll be happy to write one for you
• Then, you need to stick to the following guidelines. They’re here to protect you while you hold your raffle, and they might be different depending on the kind of raffle or competition you’re holding

In England, Wales, and Scotland, the simplest way is to have a standard raffle. This is one you’ve probably taken part in yourself, and it doesn’t need a license. But to run one of these, you must:

• Hold the raffle as part of a bigger event, like a quiz night or ball
• Tickets must be sold only at the event, and the prize draw must take place at the event too
• Spend less than £100 of the proceeds organising the raffle, and less than £500 on prizes (so it’s best to ask for donations)
• Sell tickets at the same price to everybody

The rules for Northern Ireland are slightly different. 

It’s good to have a quick read of the legal requirements for raffles and competitions. Just visit the Gambling Comission website then search for ‘raffle event’.