Fundraising
The specialist & 1:1 care we provide is very expensive and it costs over £250,000pa to run Grove Cottage
We do not receive any funding centrally from Mencap and we simply could not exist without the support of the local community.
There are many ways in which you can help us fundraise.
Donate >>
No matter how large or small, your donation means so much to the local families with learning disabilities who need us. Your donation means we can make a real difference now and in the years to come.
Thank you for your support.
SINGLE DONATION
To make a single donation online now click here
REGULAR DONATION
We can only be there in the future for our members if we continue to have the support from the community. We need regular, reliable income so we can provide support for everyone who needs us. Your regular donation will help us to pay for the dedicated, passionate staff who help run Grove Cottage. To organise making a regular donation please email fundraising@mencapgrovecottage.org
CASH or CHEQUE
To donate by Cash or Cheque please send your donations to Fundraising, Grove Cottage 151 London Road, and Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 3JX.
Please make cheques payable to 'Bishop's Stortford Mencap'
SHOP ONLINE
If you shop online at the Giving Machine you can raise money for Grove Cottage at NO extra cost to you. Retailers donate to Grove Cottage on your behalf as a thank you for shopping with them.
Organise an Event >>
Holding your own event can be really rewarding for everyone who takes part - and it's easy to do
Fundraising events come in all shapes and sizes. All you need is a great idea and plenty of enthusiasm. There are many creative and fun ways to raise money for Grove Cottage. You can find inspiration from ourA-Z of fundraising ideas.
Our Fundraising team is here to help you make your event as successful as possible and can offer as much support and guidance as you need, as well as fundraising materials such as posters, leaflets, balloons, banners and collection tins.
Make us your Charity of the Year >>
Why not chose Grove Cottage to be your Charity of the Year. From Businesses to WI groups and Rotary Clubs to Scout troops and sports clubs, partnering with us is a great way to get involved with the local community.
As Charity of the year partner we can develop and meaningful and long-lasting 2 way relationship. You will also gain a deeper understanding of the very real difference your support is making to the lives of local people with learning disability.
Our fundraising team is happy to work closely with you helping develop a plan of events, enabling you to have fun, get involved and achieve and hopefully exceed your fundraising targets.
We will support you in your activities and work with you offering support as required and supply promotional material and fundraising resources such as banners, buckets and collection pots. We are happy to come in and present to your staff and we will work with you to generate PR and publicity as our way of saying THANK YOU for your support.
We can also look at volunteering opportunities for your staff as part of the Charity of the year partnership.
Schools and Colleges >>
Whatever the age group, there are many ways your nursery, school or college can raise money for Grove Cottage and we can help you find an activity that children of all ages will love and find inspiring.
Getting involved also helps raise awareness of Grove Cottage and learning disabilities which is a key challenge facing us.
We can help support specific projects or link in with the national curriculum, The Grow a £ Challenge has proved very successful and has been incorporated into the curriculum in several local schools.
Our fundraising team can help with ideas, promotional materials and resources, as well as supplying lots of information about the Grove Cottage to help educate and motivate your students.
We are also very happy to visit you and give talks or assemblies about Grove Cottage to inspire your staff, pupils and parents to get involved and help make a real difference.
Sponsorship >>
Sponsorship can be a great way to fundraise and get your family and friends to support you in your activities
Online Sponsorship
The easiest way to raise sponsorship is by setting up an online JustGiving or VirginMoney giving page.
To make the most of your page
- Personalise your page by uploading a photo of yourself and a short biography explaining why you have decided to fundraise for Grove Cottage.
- Ask your family and closest friends to sponsor you first as they are more likely to be your most generous supporters. Their donations will also set the standard for others to follow.
- Share the link to your page via social media, such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
- Include the link in your email signature at work. If appropriate, ask your employer if you can forward the link to your colleagues and work contacts.
- If your supporters are UK taxpayers, encourage them to tick the Gift Aid box to increase their donation by 25% at no extra cost to them.
Sponsorship Form
Alternatively, you download a sponsorship form Click here to get a Grove Cottage Sponsorship form
Ideas to help maximising your sponsorship
- Write a sample line at the top of your sponsor form indicating the ideal donation you would like your sponsors to give so they have a standard sum to follow.
- Ask friends and family who you think will be the most generous to be the first to pledge money on your form.
- Ensure your sponsors read the Gift Aid statement and tick the box if they are eligible to boost their donation by 25% at no extra cost to them.
- Ask your employer to sponsor you and make enquiries about whether your company has a match funding scheme.
- Email your sponsor form to business contacts, clients and suppliers. Think about who you know, and who those people know.
- Start your fundraising early and set yourself a target.
- Try to collect your sponsor money straight away to save time after your event.
Corporate Sponsorship >>
Corporate Sponsorship of Grove Cottage and the fundraising events we run are a great way of getting involved. No matter what the size of your sponsorship budget we will work with you to develop a tailor-made sponsorship package that is right for you
Open Gardens >>
If you like gardening and would like to share your garden with others why not open your gardens in aid of Grove Cottage. Hannah and Michael Shine in Hatfield Heath and Viv Chipperfield in Hastingwood have opened their gardens for Grove Cottage these have become regular events which Grove Cottage supporters look forward to each year.
Come Dine with Me >>
We would like to ask you to host a dinner party for your friends and ask them to make a donation to Grove Cottage for what they thought the meal and dining experience was worth!
We provide the instructions, the invitations – you provide the venue, the food and the friends.
A great way to enjoy time with friends and family whilst making a real difference to local people with learning disability.
Host your own Tea Party >>
Why not host your own tea party or coffee morning and support Grove Cottage. It’s always great to invite friends and family over for a nice cuppa and it’s even better when you know you are making a real difference in your local community.
We have a selection of Vintage crockery which we are happy to loan out to people hosting fundraising events for Grove Cottage.
Challenge Events >>
Whether you're summiting Kilimanjaro, walking 100 km overnight, or cycling to Paris, or walking 50km or 25km - there's a challenge out there for you. Grove Cottage are partners with Action Challenge and they have an incredible range of challenge to suit everyone.
The challenges will all push you, you'll find out more about yourself, experience great camaraderie, and a fantastic sense of achievement as you reach that summit, finish line, or the end of an adventure – together knowing you are supporting Grove Cottage and local people with learning disabilities.
To find out more about ULTRA CHALLENGE events click here
To find out more about NIGHTRIDER and see amazing cities by bike at night click here
Skydive >>
If you want extreme, if you want extraordinary, and a breath taking, intoxicating experience of a lifetime – this is the thrill for you!
If jumping out of an aircraft at 13,000ft and plunging down to earth at speeds of over 120mph is the challenge you are looking for you can sign up here or call UK Parachuting on 01502 476131 – Quote Grove Cottage.
Leave a Gift in your Will >>
Leaving a gift to Grove Cottage in your Will is a wonderful way to make a real and lasting difference to a good cause that was important to you during your lifetime.
Gifts in Wills are a vital source of funding for Grove Cottage. Any amount, no matter the size, will help us to provide our services and support to local families for generations to come.
Gift Aid >>
If you are a UK tax payer, completing and returning a Gift aid declaration form enables us to claim back 25p for every £1 you donate to Grove Cottage at NO extra cost to you.
Loose Change >>
Collect your loose change and watch it grow – Either use a jam jar or contact us for a collection pot
Payroll Giving >>
Payroll giving allows you to donate to Grove Cottage on a regular basis direct from your wage packet.
Donations are taken directly from your salary before tax is deducted, meaning your donation costs you less.
Payroll giving is a very simple, tax effective way of donating and the most efficient way of giving to charity.
Please talk to your HR Department about Payroll Giving or contact the fundraising team at Grove Cottage.
Local Charity Partners >>
We are proud to be partners with work with wide range of local partners including
White Stuff and the White Stuff Foundation
Bishops Stortford Rugby Football
Bishops Stortford Cricket club
And many more
GRANTS >>
We apply for Grants from trusts and foundations to help raise the funds required to provide the clubs and services at Grove Cottage.
Grants Received
2016
Children in Need
Mrs Smith and Mount Trust
Uttlesford District Council
2015
Santander Foundation
Herts County Council
Pre 2015
East Herts District Council
Nineveh Trust
Mrs Smith and Mount Trust
Tesco
Essex County Council
Bishops Stortford Town Council
Braziers Trust
Lloyds TSB Foundation
Openwork’s Foundation
Stansted Airport Passenger Community Fund
Stansted Airport Community Trust Fund
Saffron Walden Building Society
Boshier Hinton Foundation
Greggs
WE NEED YOUR HELP
Our fundraising team are always happy to help you in your fundraising endeavours. We are also happy to come in and talk to you and your group about what we do and how your support really does make a difference.
All contributions to Grove Cottage, no matter how big or small make a real difference to people with learning disability in the local community.
