You’ve done it, you've signed up for an epic challenge so now is the time to think through how you will secure the funds you've pledged to raise.

Treking Kilimanjaro is an once-in-a-lifetime adventure, so don't be shy about how hard this challenge will be and the support you will need to make it happen. Knowing you have a team behind you, who have donated to Haven House and Richard House, will make it easier when you have a tough day on the trek. 

Here are my top tips to make the fundraising element of your challenge easier and less stressful. 

1. Set your target

We recommend setting a target of £1,500. With the trip taking place in June, this gives you at least six months to raise this amount. Having a goal and planning your fundraising will help you achieve it. People who set a goal, raise significantly more than those who don’t. 

Breaking it down into manageable chunks, month by month will also help. For example, Kili is 5,895 m tall, can you find 25 people to donate £58.95? 

2. Get online

Online fundraising pages have taken over the traditional sponsorship form, just like video killed the radio star. It’s quick, easy and safe and keeps all your fundraising and messages of support in one place. Make sure your page has a good image of yourself - humans like to give to other humans. 

We will set up a Citi Kili team page on the Citi partnership website so you can store all your donations and make it easier for people to donate on PC, tablet or mobile phone.  On this page, just click 'fundraise' to set up your individual sponsorship page. 

3. Plan who to ask

It’s tempting once your online fundraising page is set up to shout from the rooftops that it’s open for business. Before you go ‘public’ though, think about who within your close family and friends is mostly likely to give you the biggest donation and ask them to be one of the first to donate to your page.

There is some psychology involved here:

• People like to donate to pages that already have donations – sending round a blank page is not motivating and nobody wants to be first on the list.
• Having larger donations on your page first will encourage people to leave slightly larger gifts after them. No-one will want to be seen to pledge £2 after someone has given £50.
• If you already have 20% of your fundraising target, then everyone else you ask is helping you to get closer and closer to 100%.

4. Go public

Once you have a few donations already pledged or on your sponsorship page, now is the time to share your story.

Be bold, be loud, give lots of information – why are you running, what do you want to achieve, what are you most scared of, how will you feel when you finish.

Don’t hold back on how hard you think this will be, now is not the time for humility or modesty.

Telling your friends and family the reasons for your challenge will help them to understand why it is a big deal to you and they will want to support you.

5. Take them on your training journey

You were once one of those people who watched from the side-lines. Now you have a training plan and are sacrificing nights out and time with the family to make sure you cross the finish line.

• Plan a weekly/bi-weekly update on how your training is going for facebook updates or email. 
• Take some selfies after a training run (show them what training really looks like!).
• Video generates huge interest, film a training run or record a message for your supporters after a particular hard session.
• Tell them what you’ve learnt and experienced as you’ve pounded the streets - how comfy are your walking boots really? What colour are your pyjamas you're taking to Africa? Have you told your tent-mate that you snore? 

6. Do it all in one go

If you’d prefer not to ask for donations, arrange a bake sale, raffle or auction within your team at work. Do you have a particular skill you could sell or use in return for donations? This can help you to achieve your target all in one go. Don’t forget to still have a sponsorship mechanism ready as you’ll find people will still want to sponsor you once you tell them why you’re putting on the event.

Here's some more ideas - How to fundraise at work

7. Gift aid it

If your supporters are UK taxpayers, make sure they gift aid their donation. This gives us an additional 25% - at no cost to them. With little effort your £1,500 target becomes £1,875.

8. Social media gems

Don't forget to share your plans, photos and pre-expedition adventures with Haven House and Richard House and we'll share on our Twitter channels. 

9. Say thank you (twice)

All being well you will make it to the airport, having exceeded your target.

On the morning of your departure, if you have the head-space, drop your supporters an email or message to say thank you. Tell them that they are going to help you reach the Kili summit and they will.

When your trek gets tough, think of those people that have donated to your challenge and it will help you keep going.

Once you reach that amazing summit reflect on what you’ve achieved and how amazing you feel. Hold onto those thoughts. 

Send a final note the next day (signal permitting) to your supporters telling them how you did. They will want to know – and they will also want to know the gory details, including the chaffing, achy hips or black toe-nails.

Good luck!

Jenni ([email protected])