A range of promotional bags and pens were used by students at Newquay Tretherras School in Cornwall to raise money for charity.

The students, who raised the funds as part of the Deloitte Employment Scheme, selected ShelterBox as their non-profit organisition of choice, reports This is Cornwall.

Employing promotional bags, hosting a raffle and helping pack customers' groceries at their local Asda, the students made £173 for the charity.

The Deloitte Employment Scheme aims to build confidence through personal and group with charity fundraising a popular option.

Peter Jones, enterprise academy course manager for Cornwall College, told the news provider: "The students have really excelled themselves and I am really proud of their achievement."

ShelterBox is an international disaster relief charity that delivers emergency food, warmth and shelter to people made homeless.

The charity provided the students with some of its own promotional products helping them in their cause.

Why don't you see how promotional bags can raise the profile of your charity?

Posted by Cheryl Jackson-Leafield

Charities often use promotional items as part of their marketing strategies, but we wonder how often they use them in-house.

According to some recent research, charity staff could really do with something to keep them motivated and optimistic, with morale at an all-time low.

Preliminary results from the annual Charity Pulse survey reveals that only 29 per cent of employees think spirits are high in their organisations.

Findings show the number of people who think morale in their charity is high stands at 29 per cent, down from 43 per cent in 2011.

Over the past five years, between 50 and 43 per cent of employees thought spirits were high in their organisations.

Third Sector, which carried out the survey with Birdsong Charity Consulting, also said fewer people have indicated that they feel valued at work this year compared with previous years.

Perhaps it's time to implement a formal wellbeing strategy within your charity.

Why not hold a special workshop or awareness day – giving your staff branded products to show them how much you value their hard work.

Posted by Cheryl Jackson-Leafield

Promotional bags will be used to launch an unusual sporting event in Derby next week: a self-propelled wheelchair race.

The first of its kind for the city, the three kilometre contest forms part of the Derbyshire Building Society ten kilometre race.

Participants will follow the route, snaking along the River Derwent footpath and finishing inside Pride Park Stadium before being handed a goody bag for their efforts.

It's open to people of all abilities and promises to be a fun and rewarding occasion – what a great use of promotional products too, eh?

The Mayor of Derby will start the event on April 1st from Pride Park.

Wheelchair athlete Phil Hogg told the newspaper: "What a great opportunity to be part of the first Derby 3k wheelchair race. If you are a serious competitor or just want to come along and take part in this new event the atmosphere will be fantastic, and who knows it could be the start of a new way of keeping fit."

Posted by Cheryl Jackson-Leafield

If you haven't heard of Zumba yet, where on earth have you been hiding?

The craze that's sweeping the country, the phenomenally popular fitness program is inspiring people to head down to their local gym to bust some moves and get fit.

It's not hard to see why Zumba is so popular – its spicy mix of hip-hop, salsa, samba and mambo combine to offer a fun and accessible way for people to exercise – while meeting new people and having a bit of a laugh.

With 'Zumbathons' taking place all over the country, have you thought about how staging a Zumba event could help your fundraising projects?

Think about it: why not rent out your local fitness centre and encourage people to come down for an evening of Zumba – you could charge an entry fee with proceeds going to your charity.

One way to really help proceedings is to use some promotional merchandise – this could see you give branded clothing for all Zumba fans taking part or promotional bags to willing participants.

Posted by Cheryl Jackson-Leafield

The organisers of a 'crazy' Mother's Day walk have been busy packing promotional bags in readiness for the event.

More than 1,000 people have so far signed up for the tenth Crazy Hats Walk at Wicksteed Park in Kettering, reports northantset.co.uk.

Walk volunteers have been putting goodies into promotional bags to give to people as they complete the walk.

As the name suggests, participants are encouraged to wear wild and wacky head garb for the event.

Awards include the largest family team and the dog wearing the craziest hat.

Crazy Hats founder Glennis Hooper explained that the promotional bags include a number of items from the walk's sponsors.

"In the goody bags we have got a lovely medal with a pink ribbon, there is a gift from Avon, crisps from Walkers, oatibars from Weetabix and raisins from Whitworths, it’s all from local companies, which is brilliant," she told the news provider.

"We are up to just over 1,200 entries at the moment and it’s picking up daily."

Walkers will also receive promotional t-shirts for their efforts.

"Volunteers get ready for annual crazy walk". Northantset.co.uk.

Posted by Cheryl Jackson-Leafield

Fundraising projects are the heartbeat by which charities drive their campaigns.

And despite the vagaries of the economy, Britons continue to give to charity.

Research published last year by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) found the UK is the fifth most charitable country on the planet.

Some 79 per cent of Britons give money to charity each month, up from 73 per cent in 2010, according to the research. 28 per cent of the UK population volunteers time each month and 63 per cent say they help a stranger.

"It is amazing that even during these tough economic times an overwhelming majority of the UK population gives to charity each month," said John Low, chief executive of the CAF.

Donations are a crucial cog in the ongoing operations of charities – with donors the spine of the entire operation.

While the CAF research shows there doesn't appear to be much of a problem inspiring Britons' to give to charity, it is still important that charities take efforts to stand out and make themselves heard.

Because while charity-giving is clearly flourishing, even in light of the difficult economic climate, many people who give to charity may only give to one or two organisations.

These organisations have worked hard to develop deep connections with their donors, which is why they tend to stay with them. It is, after all, all about developing relationships.

For charities, branded products are a crucial part of their marketing and fundraising strategies.

For one thing many low-cost items are available and the price gets even lower when they’re bought in bulk – perfect for initiatives targeting lots and lots of people.

But there's also something personal and relevant about promotional products that seems to draw charity-givers in.

What's more, promotional merchandise – anything from a printed pencil to a big branded umbrella – is a sort-of long term investment for charities.

To put it another way, while branded products can be used initially, to attract supporters, they can also be used afterwards, to keep those people interested.

Think about it – let's say you've just completed a nationwide round of fun-runs and hundreds of people have turned up at parks across the country to participate.

After the event, they might think 'that's it', that their connection with the charity ends there. But it doesn't have to work that way – think about how promotional items could help you continue the donor relationship.

It could be something like a thank you letter, detailing how the money participants helped to raise has been used. You could pop some promotional items in here.

Or how about sending out a resource pack with information about next year's series of runs  – complete with promotional notepads and branded clothing?

The Royal British Legion is revamping its communications strategy, it has been reported.

The charity, which runs the annual Poppy Appeal, is to re-launch its print magazine and start developing more digital content.

The effort is designed to raise awareness of the legion's lesser-known work and services, reports Marketing Magazine.

It wants to promote its under-recognised services and raise awareness that it spends more than £50 million a year on services including rehabilitation and provision for servicemen and their families.

From May, the membership will be made more accessible and modern.

There will also be more digital content as part of a push to engage wider support from members of the public.

Bob Gamble OBE, head of membership at the Royal British Legion, was quoted as saying: "Now is the right time to move forward and we firmly believe the new work will act as a real catalyst in helping to change perceptions, and build even greater knowledge and support for the work we do."

A big change like this would really benefit from some promotional products to spread the word.

If you're thinking of big revamp like the Legion, think about how items like branded pens and printed USBs could help tell people all about the changes.

"Royal British Legion to revamp communications programme". Marketing Magazine. 

Posted by Cheryl Jackson-Leafield

A charity is using promotional balloons as part of a new fund-raising walk in Peterborough.

Arthritis Research UK's Pop Around Peterborough walk will see participants given a branded balloon which they are invited to pop once they cross the five-mile hike's finishing line to find out if they've won a prize.

Entry for the walk, which takes place on May 12th, is £5 and also includes promotional bags.

The prizes include a night at Peterborough Greyhound Stadium, a signed Peterborough United shirt and family days out.

Michael Clarke, event organiser, told the Peterborough Evening Telegraph: "Lots of people have already shown an interest in this event and I'm appealing to everyone in Peterborough and the surrounding area to sign up and help support us on this exciting day."

We really like this use of branded balloons – it's a nice touch. It gives the walk's participants something tangible that is bound to salt their curiosity right up to when they cross the finish line.

"Pop a balloon for a prize on charity walk". Peterborough Evening Telegraph.

Posted by Cheryl Jackson-Leafield

A sponsored dog walk in Lancaster is to use printed bags to help draw participants in this weekend.

Those entering Bark in the Park at the town's Williamson Park along with their four-legged friends this Saturday (February 25th) will all receive promotional merchandise for their trouble, the Visitor reported.

Organised by CancerCare, a local charity dedicated to the support of people with cancer, the three-mile walk also incorporates a fun dog show at the end.

Categories for the show include Any Variety Puppy (6 –12 months), Prettiest Bitch, Handsomest Dog, Waggiest Tail, Best Rescue, The Best Mis-Matched Pair, Judges favourite and Dog Most Like Its Owner.

This is a really useful example of how branded items like promotional bags can be used to roll out a charity event.

Think about how local companies might want to get involved with your project – perhaps they'd like to put their name on custom printed bags and printed keyrings?

"Join in the canine caper". The Visitor. Friday February 24th 2012.

Posted by Cheryl Jackson-Leafield

A Scarborough-based fashion boutique will be giving promotional bags to all those attending its upcoming fashion showcase.

The event, to be held at Scarborough Rugby Club on Thursday March 1st, is in aid of a local hospice, Saint Catherine's, reports the Scarborough Evening News.

The boutique, called Moments, said everyone couldn't wait for the show.

The evening will be opened by dancing from a local dance school, there will be a raffle and everyone attending will receive promotional merchandise, a glass of Pimms and canapés.

Jane Stockdale from Saint Catherine’s Hospice's fundraising department, told the newspaper: "We are really looking forward to the fashion show.

"It looks set to be a really entertaining evening and I hope people will come along, enjoy the spring fashions and Support Saint Catherine's Hospice."

This is a great example of how promotional items can help to make an event like a charity fashion show a great success.

By printing the name of your business onto promotional bags, you'll be thanking people willing to lend their support – while getting your name out a little too.

"Boutique set for fundraiser". Scarborough Evening News. 

Posted by Cheryl Jackson-Leafield