Ideas for your fundraising Whether you're a fundraising pro or new to the whole concept, we are here to help and inspire you. We have the materials, creative ideas and bags of enthusiasm to get you on your way! Top Tips Your event is more likely to be a success if it's enjoyable, so choose something you love and turn it into a charity opportunity. Keep your eyes peeled for events, concerts, fairs in your local area which may welcome a charity focus and be happy to support ART. Our Guide to Fundraising has everything you need to organise and publicise your event. CommuniCAKE! Everyone loves a cake sale! Which is why the Autism Research Trust has chosen to develop it as its annual fundraiser. Simply invite 5 friends for a coffee and nibble in exchange for a donation; or why not really go for it with a large garden party including cakes along with book sale, raffle, face paints etc for extra fundraising potential? It can take place wherever and however you like. Why CommuniCAKE? Playing on the word Communicate, obviously a key challenge for a lot of people with autism, the CommuniCAKE campaign raises awareness of how tough social situations and interactions can be. April: Autism Awareness Month April is Autism Awareness Month which can be an effective hook for your fundraising efforts. Organise your own fundraiser and help raise awareness about autism! Past initiatives include: A FILM SCREENING of Jack of the Red Hearts, at Christ’s College in Cambridge, a powerful autism film. Organised by Aicha Massrali (from the Cambridge Neuroscience Society) and introduced by Amber Ruigrok (Binks Autism Neuroscience Research Fellow & Research Associate at the ARC), the film was followed by a lively open discussion led by Helena Leathers, a girl with autism and an advocate for females on the spectrum. Refreshments were provided, the dress code was blue (Light It Up Blue for autism) with proceeds to ART. AUTISM AWARENESS AT LEGOLAND We were excited to team up with the popular leisure and entertainment park in April 2017. The attraction is known for its exceptional educational focus, especially its Lego therapy workshops of which ART was official partner. Teachers, parents and care givers received information about ART and the benefits of playing Lego together. STELLA & DOT: jewellery partnershipWe collaborated with boutique jewellery company, Stella & Dot, in 2016 and 2017. Representatives Sarah Hudd and Sarah Allmond, mothers of young autistic boys, kindly hosted events and donated a percentage of profits from the evenings. CHARITY DINNER PARTY with celebrity chef Jo PrattWonderful TV chef and author, Jo Pratt, supported our cause for Autism Awareness Month, showing us how hosting our own charity dinner parties is easy and lots of fun! Jo provided tips and recipes from her book ‘In the Mood for Healthy Food’ and tweeted messages of support. Recent fundraising efforts We grateful to all those who create opportunities to support us, including: Northallerton & District Lioness Club organised a series of street and shop collections, raising £1000. Malden Manor School raised £200 during Autism Awareness Week from a toy sale and autism workshop. Southfields Community Choir raised over £1000 through their Spring Charity Concert. Abingdon House School had a Dressing Up Day and cake sale, which raised £200. The President of the Rotary Club of Oxford hosted a classical music evening at Oxford’s Tingewick Hall. Awareness Walks inspired by ART supporters Jenny Jones and Jayne Tasker have proved successful and easy fundraisers, raising nearly £1000. Hoare & Co Private Bank hosted two ART events for their customers. Cambridge University RAG committee organised a city street collection.