Fundraiser Profile

Name: Girolatte
Fundraised: Girolatte raised $11,520 in 2006.

Girolatte are long term supporters of the Gong Ride and are made up of cyclists from a variety of backgrounds, all sharing one common goal, doing their best to help those with MS.

How did you raise such a fantastic result in 2006?

After many year of MS fundraising, primary school chocolate drives etc, I was reluctant to get out amongst my workplace (at a public hospital emergency department) hassling passes by for small change.

However the ability to send email links to a fundraising website last year made the fundraising different, fun, effective and rekindled several lapsed friendships.

I sent my fundraising email to probably 100 friends, and professional associates who were in my email address book. Allowing people the time to consider things rather than donate on the spot was important and I even ended up reconnecting with several friends overseas or in Australia who I hadn't kept in very good contact with. It was interesting to see who donated and who didn't....as it was not what I could have predicted. I didn't get a single complaint from people annoyed at my email asking for support. I raised about $1500 dollars in this way and didn't have the hassle of writing receipts, collating cheques etc.

'Overall a very positive experience and quite effortless.'

A fellow Girolatte team member had a different technique for fundraising:

I simply approach various corporate contacts known to have a charitable focus to ask for a donation of a particular amount. This is a great way to personally communicate your team goal and why you are asking for support of people affected by Multiple Sclerosis.

It is always better to do some research as there are many companies out there more than willing to support a charitable cause. Many companies have budgets for charitable donations or matched funding, you simply have to find out who to ask..and ask.

If you have an existing relationship within an organisation, then seek assistance so as to learn more about how to make your approach or simply whether it is an efficient use of your time. Some charities may already affiliate themselves with particular causes and therefore have a policy against further involvement with charities outside their 'preferred list'.

Organisations are increasingly becoming aware of their responsibility to support the wider community, their employees and worthwhile causes. It is often the case that they themselves are not educated enough about how their money can help and who it can help. If you make the approach and communicate and educate them as to how their donation can help, you may be pleasantly surprised as to the result.

Why do Girolatte continually support people with MS?

Girolatte's interest in fundraising is partly motivated by the fact that two of our team members have spouses who have MS, so we have a first hand awareness of the impact of this disease on sufferers and their families.