Fundraising

Starting your journey to expedition

Fundraising is an important part of the expedition journey with us.

To reduce the financial barrier to joining an expedition, young people are given a Fundraising Challenge Target based on their financial situation.

For our team to provide a Fundraising Challenge Target that is appropriate, we apply a very simple means test. To help us, we ask each young person, or their guardian if they are under 18 years of age, questions about their total household income and if the young person receives state benefits.

With a positive attitude, a little hard work, and by following our tried and tested advice, you will not only achieve your Fundraising Challenge Target but also gain some great memories and invaluable CV enhancing experiences in the process.

You can make a fundraising contribution, download your Fundraising Resources, and find out more about your fundraising challenge by using the buttons below.

Fundraising Challenges

Fundraising Resources

Contribute here

Fundraising support

You won’t be doing this alone – our team are here to answer any questions you have. We will help you wherever possible.

If you are struggling for ideas or worried about not being able to reach your fundraising target, please get in touch with us and make sure to use the resources available on our website.

Remember that whatever fundraising methods you decide to use be proactive, start early but most importantly do something you enjoy. We have no doubt that, like the many thousands of Explorers who have already travelled with British Exploring Society, you will reach your target.

Why fundraise?

  • While your place on expedition is largely funded by grants, trusts and generous donors, by raising funds you contribute back to British Exploring Society and show your commitment to taking part.
  • Fundraising helps you to develop very useful skills and confidence. The skills that you will gain through fundraising will be invaluable on your CV and help you in adult life and employment.
  • Fundraising is a great way to go out into your community, use your networks and inspire others to get involved in your British Exploring Society journey.
  • Your contribution ensures that we can continue to make our expeditions accessible.

FUNDRAISING FAQS

  • Why is there a deadline?

    It’s really important that we know that you have reached your target and receive the funds you have raised in advance of you leaving for your expedition, so we will set you a deadline to make sure all funds are received and processed. This will also give you the time to focus on preparing for your expedition in the weeks before departing. Your place on expedition with British Exploring Society may come under review if we haven’t received your funds by the deadline. We are here to support you so that you do not need to worry about reaching your target.

  • Why is there a fundraising schedule?

    The fundraising schedule is to help you stagger your fundraising. It will make it easier to hit your target if you plan events over a period of time and stagger your contributions.

  • Where does your fundraising go?

    The funds that you raise go directly to British Exploring Society and support the work we do, ensuring young people continue to have the opportunity to join an expedition to a remote location where they will face challenges, acquire outdoor skills and learn about themselves. We will always ensure that the funds we receive contribute to our vital work. Laws on how charities can use donations mean we cannot give back your donations apart from in exceptional circumstances.

  • How do I pay in offline funds?

    If you receive cash donations, please pay the amount into your bank account and then donate to yourself on the platform you are using, with a note of where the funds have come from. If you receive cheques, please send them to your contact at British Exploring Society.

Plan and host an event

Putting on an event is a great way to involve your friends, family and local community in your expedition. Events do require more time with planning but if done well they can also be your biggest fundraising success. Not only are they a great way of fundraising but they also provide excellent experience for interviews and CV’s and can be a lot of fun!

Entrepreneurial adventures

Explorers and entrepreneurs are like two peas in a pod. They both have a mindset to create opportunities for themselves. Trying your hand at setting up your own business is a great way to use skills and talents you already have in combination with learning entrepreneurial skills that are becoming increasingly more sought after.

Sponsored challenges

Like so many fundraising activities, sponsored challenges can be a win-win opportunity. A physical challenge such as a run or swim is a perfect way to get fit for expedition whilst the more unusual challenge can also appeal to press and media – increasing your chances of increasing your fundraising.

Part-time work

Part time work has been found to be one of the most effective ways of raising money. The steady stream of income quickly amounting to a morale boosting amount. This could be working in a shop, café or restaurant, or maybe think tutoring younger pupils or lifeguarding – there are lots of opportunities.

Sponsorship

Sponsorship is a great way to gain funding from charitable and grant making trusts, local companies or maybe even through existing funds. As a recognised organisation with a long-history of purposeful expeditions we can direct you to some of these organisations, but independent research and local connections can be just as useful.

Grants and bursaries

British Exploring Society can offer guidance on additional financial support
through grants and bursaries offered by external trusts. For more information on what may be available to you, please get in touch at explorers@britishexploring.org

TOP TIPS FROM PREVIOUS YOUNG EXPLORERS

Here’s a few fundraising tips from previous Young Explorers. For more check out our Fundraising Resources.

"For my fundraising, with the help of my dad I was able to come up with the idea of selling homemade curries to friends and families. My dad – who is of Indian heritage - helped me with this and we even created some branding going by the name of Babuhira – which is my grandparents names. This helped me to feel connected to my grandparents and Indian roots as well as raising the money I needed for the trip. My fundraising tips to future young explorers would be to think outside the box and use connections of friends and family to help where you can."

Nye - Young Explorer, Hartz Scottish Explorers 2022

"Fundraising definitely taught me the lesson of ‘if you don’t ask you don’t get’. I think it can be really difficult for young people, and women especially to put themselves out there and create opportunities for themselves, and fundraising has taught me a bit about how to do this. Whether it’s approaching your local supermarket to do bag packing, or a venue to hold a quiz night, not everyone will say yes, but it’s about persisting and making things happen. Try and work all your connections – and this isn’t about knowing anyone special, it’s just reaching out to absolutely everyone you and your friends and family know. You’d be surprised at how many people are willing to donate and help you out, even if it’s only a small amount. But they can’t do that unless they know about you and your cause, so get sharing!"

Edie - Young Explorer, Kyrgyzstan 2022

I tried two other methods of fundraising that directly confronted what I found so uncomfortable. I wrote to Alpkit for a sponsorship, and I set up a Crowdfunder page to share in my school, Instagram, and the curious school of the wild CIC’s Facebook. I exceeded my target!! Be confident and practice selling yourself and your expedition. It surprised me and made me a bit emotional to see how many people were happy to support me.

Sunny - Young Explorer, Landmark Scotland 2021

To fundraise for my expedition I held a coffee morning with friends and family, I also got a weekend job to help me save, fundraising for my expedition was really great because it made me appreciate the expedition more as I had to work towards going. It also taught me independence as I was sourcing the money to contribute for my trip myself. I would advise any Young Explorers in the future to not be afraid to ask for help with ideas for fundraising etc, everyone at British Exploring Society has been so helpful and very friendly.

Hannah - Young Explorer, Hartz Scottish Explorers 2021

In my experience, I had 7 months from when I applied to fundraise the £3500 total. At first, it seemed an utterly impossible task yet after talking to a few people and bouncing loads of ideas off those close to me it finally became a reality. So never give up. If you have that motivation and drive to raise the money then you will, and speaking from experience it will be so worth it in the end.

Jasmine - Young Explorer, Himalaya 2018