The ME Association is in constant need of funds. We need it for the Research we fund, the support helplines we run and the information we provide. Here we give you some ideas as to the ways and means of fundraising, and to let you know how money raised and sent to Head Office will be spent.
Anyone can help us to raise funds: members, non-members, businesses, local groups, schools, families and friends of people with ME/CFS - we welcome and will support your efforts by providing a Fundraising Pack (see below).
You can make a real difference to the level of service we are able to offer people who are affected by ME/CFS. There are many ways you can help: some take very little effort on your part (donations, collection boxes etc.) and some will cost you nothing (Gift Aid, Donate As You Spend etc.), while others such as taking part in sponsored events will take energy and time but you will be rewarded by way of personal achievement.
Money raised for The ME Association will go to support our Organisation's wide range of activities. Core funding to support the basic activities of The MEA will help support important services such as ME Connect, the provision of new educational information and this website. Remember, fundraising not only raises funds but it also provides a useful opportunity to raise awareness.
Donations - The simplest way to support The ME Association is by making a donation and you can do this online, by post or by telephone. Regular donations by standing order or payroll giving are particularly welcome. If you can help us in this way, please follow the appropriate links below.
Any donation you are able to make is valuable to us and will be gratefully received. At no extra cost to you, The ME Association may be able to claim from the Inland Revenue a further 28p for every pound you donate, provided you are a UK tax payer. If you pay sufficient Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax, please complete a Gift Aid declaration by downloading the form using the link further down this page.
Mobile phone and inkjet cartridge recycling
How can you help us?
Please phone our office on 01280 818968 and ask for a TRF mobile phone and inkjet cartridge recycling envelope. Pop an unwanted mobile phone in the post and we receive up to £10 in exchange. And we get up to £2 for every cartridge accepted – but only those made by Hewlett Packard, Lexmark or Dell please. If you want more envelopes, just write your details on the envelope before putting it in the post.
Donate online
How can you help us?
The ME Association is working in partnership with the JustGiving website, which means you are able to make secure donations online via their website.
If you would like to make a donation by credit or debit card over the telephone, please call us on 01280 818964 between 10.00am and 3.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Donate by post or standing order
How can you help us?
If you would like to donate by post or make regular donations via a standing order, please complete our Donation Form. We accept payments by cheque, postal order, credit/debit card and by banker's order. Details are available on the form.
To help with your fundraising efforts you can now create a fundraising page on the web using The ME Association's special area at the JustGiving website. Of course, you don't have to have a reason to raise money for The ME Association, but there are helpful links for sponsorship, for a special occasion or event and for raising money in memory of a loved one.
The Weather Lottery
How can you help us?
The Weather Lottery plc helps The ME Association to raise funds by providing an exciting lottery four days a week.
Payroll Giving involves donating directly from your pay or pension to The ME Association. Some advantages of Payroll Giving are that it allows you to make regular donations without having to do anything more; the donations will be tax free to you; and the Government will add 10% to your donation, so making your contribution worth even more to us.
If you are taking part in an organised activity such as the London Marathon, Great North Run, etc., or even taking part in a sponsored event of your own, please let us know.
Everyone is recommended to consider making a Will so their wishes will be carried out after they die. Many people like to leave something to charity and legacies can be of particular value to The ME Association.
There are several ways of using collecting boxes to raise funds - in pubs, shops and offices; through street collections, by house-to-house collections etc. Some involve more time and effort than others.
Funds can be raised by a number of different events. Perhaps you could organise or take part in a jumble sale, coffee morning, craft fair, table fair, quiz night or car boot sale? To help with your fundraising efforts you can now create a fundraising page on the web using The ME Association's special area on the JustGiving website.
Business sponsorship
How can you help us?
Do you know of a business which would link their products to sponsorship - perhaps for every one sold, they would donate a fixed sum or percentage to The ME Association, or perhaps The ME Association Research Fund?
Other fundraising suggestions
How can you help us?
Here are some more fundraising ideas which you might like to consider.
If you wish to raise money for The ME Association in any way other than through donation or Gift Aid, please contact us for fundraising support. We can answer any questions and tell you how to obtain our letter of introduction, identity badges, free T-shirts, posters, etc. Also, to help with your fundraising efforts, you can now create a fundraising page on the web using The ME Association's special area at JustGiving
Some important matters
How can you help us?
When you are engaging in a fundraising activity, you should be aware of some important matters of law.
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How can you help us?
