How to fundraise safely and legally for Prostate Cancer UK

Collecting cash

Collecting Cash is a fantastic way to make a difference to the lives of men navigating prostate cancer - but there are some things you need to know about handling cash donations to make sure your fundraising is safe and legal:

Before you start:

Remember, you must be over 18 to collect cash on behalf of Prostate Cancer UK!

Our specially designed collection tins help collect money safely and securely. All tins and buckets must be sealed while collecting and opened in the presence of a witness over 18.

Want to order a collection tin for your event? Get in touch!

Public collections, like on a street or in a park, need a licence or permit from your local authority.

Collections on private property, like pubs or a shopping centre, need explicit permission from the landlord or owner. If you’re asked for proof of your fundraising, get in touch for a letter of authority.

During your collection:

When collecting cash, you must clearly state who will receive the funds and any split between charities if you’re collecting for more than one.

Don’t be overly persistent or put undue pressure on anyone to donate; if someone indicates they don’t want to donate or continue the conversation, let them move on.

If you think someone may be in vulnerable circumstances or lacks the capacity to make an informed decision, you shouldn’t accept their donation.

Wrapping up:

Head to our paying in donations page to find out how to safely send us the cash you’ve collected. Please do not send any cash in the post.

Empty collection tins can be sent back to the Prostate Cancer UK warehouse. Get in touch for our returns address.

Any cash must be paid in and tins returned no later than one month after your event. If you are collecting cash over multiple events, cash should be paid in periodically.

Gift Aid

UK taxpayers can make donations go even further; for every £1 you donate, the UK government will give an extra 25p to Prostate Cancer UK.

Use our sponsorship form to capture your donors’ Gift Aid details and boost your fundraising.

Risk assessments

Risk assessments help identify potential hazards and put a plan in place to prevent accidents and it might be helpful to have one for your event, especially if you’ve got a lot of attendees or you’re in a public place.

Top points to consider:

Layout - make sure there are clear paths for movement, and space for everyone to reach the exits.

Capacity - prevent overcrowding by managing the number of attendees. If you’ve hired a venue, check with the owner about capacity levels.

Safety - look out for any hazards. For example, wires must be tucked away and any spillages cleaned up.

Being prepared - make sure you and others know where to find fire safety equipment and the first aid kit.

Check out the Government’s ‘can do’ guide for organising a voluntary event for more information about potential risks and how to manage them.

Food and beverage safety

Food must be prepared and served in a hygienic environment, with clearly listed ingredients to make people aware of allergens.

To sell alcohol, you must have a licence from your local authority. Anyone selling or purchasing alcohol must be over 18.

Getting insured

Public liability insurance can protect you if someone gets hurt or property is damaged during your event. It’s especially recommended if you’re hosting an event outside your home or there are lots of attendees.

If you’re using a venue, you may be covered by their insurance. If you have vendors, make sure they have their own insurance too.

You can’t use Prostate Cancer UK’s public liability insurance to cover your events.

Learn more about public liability insurance.

Lotteries, raffles, and auctions

There are specific guidelines to keep in mind when hosting a lottery, raffle, or auction.

If you’re hoping to raise over £20,000, you’ll need a licence. For online-only events, get your licence from the Gambling Commission. For offline events, register with your local authority.

If you plan to raise less than £20,000, the rules are slightly different. If you want to sell tickets beforehand, you’ll need to register your event as a 'small society lottery' with your local authority.

If you’re only selling tickets at the event, you won’t need a licence. But all tickets must be sold and results announced publicly at your event location. Using a platform like Raffal is a great way to sell tickets online with less hassle.

You cannot sell tickets to anyone under 16.