Busting the Myths: Why raising £2,200 as a workplace is easier than you think

At first glance, £2,200 might sound like a daunting fundraising target. But here’s the reality: £2,200 is the cost of one lifesaving mission in our region – a mission that could give someone in your community a second chance at life.

And when you break it down, reaching that target as a workplace in 2026 is more achievable (and more fun!) than you might think.

Every business, big or small, can make a difference. Our Mission Maker challenge removes the barriers to fundraising at work and turns everyday concerns into meaningful action.

Myth 1: We don’t have time to think about it

Truth: Life at work is busy, and thinking about charity often slips down the list. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and forget the difference your team could make in the community.

Our Mission Maker challenge gives you and your workmates a clear, structured way to support a lifesaving service. It helps you all connect with a local cause and turns charity giving from an afterthought into a shared achievement your staff can be proud of.

There are benefits to your business too that make any time spent on Mission Makers a worthy investment! Charity partnerships can improve staff retention, brand exposure, financial performance, and business reputation. We will give you the tools to measure this and share your local impact to your stakeholders.  

Myth 2: We’re too small or don’t have enough budget to support charities

Truth: Small teams have big hearts. A few passionate people can achieve incredible things – and small actions add up.  

Mission Maker gives you a simple way to make an impact that matters, no matter your size. It doesn’t have to cost a fortune. From coffee mornings to volunteer hours, from a £5 sweepstake entry to a £50 skills auction, every contribution makes a difference. We’ve designed Mission Maker to work for any size of business, with ideas to suit every budget – including no budget at all!

Myth 3: We don’t have ideas for fundraising

Truth: There’s something for every team, from everyday fundraising to big challenges. Here are just a few ideas that others are already taking on:

• Team activities: quiz nights, bake sales, sweepstakes, dress-down (or dress-up) days
• Challenge events: Lace up for the Great Bristol Run, step through heat at our Firewalk event, take on an adventure with purpose, like the 3 Peaks or Snowdon trek or cycle London–Paris (with a chance to win a signed Geraint Thomas jersey)
• Company-wide fun: Take on the HeliPeno Chilli eating contest with Clifton Chilli Club, get staff to ‘auction’ their skills to others or tee up on our Golf Day
• Cause-related marketing: Donate a % of your sales, like Gloucester Brewery does with their “Cheeky Chopper” no-alcohol IPA or Wogan Coffee does with their Blend 65 coffee
• Donate from a marketing budget: Sponsor one of our flagship events like our annual Heli Laughs comedy night, have a great night out and see strategic return

You can get more inspiration from our dedicated fundraising and events pages or talk to Joe and Mariam in our Partnerships Team for ideas and help. No matter your size or culture, there will be ideas that fit your workplace.

Myth 4: Raising £2,200 is too much for our team

Truth: Raising £2,200 is simply about combining a few manageable activities.

Here’s just one example of how a team could hit the target across the year:

• £240 – Team members can get baking and sell goodies at break times each month.
• £400 – Staff who enjoy running can gain sponsorship for running at an event like the Great Bristol Run.
• £100 – Run a couple of office sweepstakes, whether it’s to get behind a sporting event, naming a baby or backing celebrities on a TV show - charge £5 a pop and give a little away.
• £500 – A group of golf buddies could enter a team at our Corporate Golf day in summer.
• £200 – Place a collection tin at your till point and collect change from your fabulous customers.
• £360 – Those team members with a head for heights can be sponsored to Dare the Drop in our annual abseil.
• £400 – Things like sponsored silences, quiz nights, car boot sales or coffee mornings gets the team together for a bit of fun and can raise a small amount each month.

That’s your £2,200 target met. And you’ve done it your way!

Myth 5: It won’t benefit our business

Truth: Becoming a Mission Maker benefits everyone and has real perks for your team and your company. You will:

• Boost staff engagement – fundraise together, bond together
• Amplify your brand – gain local media coverage and community recognition
• Receive exclusive perks – early pledges could bag you Wogan Coffee, Gloucester Brewery beers, or even that Geraint Thomas jersey

Most importantly, the real benefit is the people. Your team will feel proud of what they’ve achieved together – and of the lives they’ve helped save.

You don’t need a big plan to start making a difference. Even small actions, like a team volunteering day can bring your staff closer together and create real change in your community.

Mission Maker shows that with just one team, a £2,200 pledge for 2026, and a little creativity, you can make a lifesaving difference.