Who are Funraisers

Funraisers is a small team of friends who organise activity based, fun, fund-raising events on a purely voluntary basis in which groups/charities may participate to raise funds for their own charity or chosen charity. We started these activities with barn dances, outdoor pursuits, assault courses and wine-tastings and then launched our biggest event, Funraisers Dragon Boat Festival.

In The Beginning

In the early years, our main fundraising activity was the Great Grandmother of all Barn Dances with the Catsfield Steamers calling the tune. Like the woolly sheep that became a pair of trousers, Funraisers evolved over a period of time rather than being born overnight. Our Dragon Boat Race Day, however, was born one night in the Red Lion pub in Wadhurst! Pip had seen this brilliant event, Dragon Boat Racing, and Kevin immediately jumped on board so the event was launched with the idea of raising money with several charities involved on the one day.

A Festival

In the first couple of years the team of organisers was fairly small but now in its 13th year the day has developed into more of a Festival with live bands, celebrities, competitions, colourful costumes and many other activities. The team of organisers has also expanded over the years helping develop the event into the fantastic success the Festival has become.

Funds Raised

The growth in funds raised over the years has been outstanding:

• 1998 - 24 Teams raised £28,000
• 1999 - 32 Teams raised £35,000
• 2000 - 40 Teams raised £60,000
• 2001 - 44 Teams raised £75,000
• 2002 - 44 Teams raised £104,000
• 2003 - 51 Teams - Festival raised £130,000
• 2004 - 56 Teams - Festival raised £160,000
• 2005 - 58 Teams - Festival raised £180,000
• 2006                    Festival raised £194,000
• 2007                    Festival raised £215,000
• 2008                    Festival raised £224,000
• 2009

          NOW WE HAVE TRULY 'HIT THE MILLION'!

The Event Sponsors

We are indebted to those companies who have sponsored the event over the years because, quite simply, no sponsorship – no event = no funds raised for charity. 

• 1998 - Invicta Lamb and Insurex
• 1999 - Barkland, BUPA and Insurex
• 2000 - AXA PPP healthcare and Insurex
• 2001 - AXA PPP healthcare, Martello Press, Internet Builders, Insurex
• 2002 - AXA PPP healthcare, G E Capital, BUPA and Insurex
• 2003 - AXA PPP healthcare, Fidelity, G E Capital,  Buss Murton, Insurex, The Courier and Greencare
• 2004 - BUPA Tunbridge Wells, Buss Murton, Ashton Burkinshaw, Fidelity, Insurex Expo-Sure, The Courier, The Assembly Hall Theatre and Wilson, Storey Halliday
• 2005 - BUPA Hospital Tunbridge Wells, NFU Mutual, Greencare,  Fidelity International, Ashton Burkinshaw, Insurex Expo-Sure, The Courier, Assembly Hall Theatre
• 2006 - BUPA Hospital Tunbridge Wells, Fidelity International, Ashton Burkinshaw, Insurex Expo-Sure and PopI
• 2007 - Fidelity International, Ashton Burkinshaw, BUPA Hospital Tunbridge Wells, Woodlands, AXA PPP healthcare, Insurex, PopI, Be*Interactive, The Courier and Abstract
• 2008 - AXA PPPhealthcare, Fidelity International, Kent Attractions Ltd, PopI, Be*Interactive, The Courier and Abstract
• 2009 - Fidelity International, Brondbjerg Design & Development, BWM Associates Ltd, PopI, Be*interactive, The Courier, BBM Ltd and Abstract

The Contributors

Many people have given freely of their time, for which we are ever grateful, to help set up and run the day. In addition to the organisers working all year, there is a huge amount of activity on the day and supporters like Sarah, Charles, Sarah No 2, Albert, Sue, David, Keith, Heather, Sarah No 3, David, Karen, Sarah No 4, John, Carol, Helen, Ian, Babs, Matt, Emily,Tim, Hilly, Diana and many more are part of the Funraisers event crew who provide you with such a successful day.

We have also had indoor rowing machines provided by Concept2.  Kimberley and Peter organised our tremendous outdoor/indoor rowing competition in 2002 with National and International champions. Bewl Bridge rowing club, Esporta, David Lloyd Leisure, Hilden Health Club and Angela Craig have all run the rowing competitions.

For several years the Newfoundland dogs rescue team, Newfound Friends, has been one of the highlights of the day with David, Jean and the whole crew travelling all the way over from Bristol to be with us.  Unfortunately this attraction has ceased until further notice.

The parking for the first few years was organised by a local branch of the ATC, and in 2002 the Tonbridge District Scouts and Sea Scouts, organised by Viv, Rob and Mike, took over this role also providing fantastic support with their rescue boat helms. Another change took place in 2005 with parents from Stonegate School doing a sterling job.

Celebrities

The profile of the Festival has been raised with appearances from many celebrities, which we really appreciate:

• Great Britain Olympic Gold Rowing Eight
• Craig Fairbrass
• Bindya Solanki from EastEnders
• Jim Shekhdar
• Beth from Shipwrecked
• Dez from Castaways
• Mark Speight
• The Seven Dwarfs
• Anita Dobson
• Liam Dolan
• Wendi Peters from Coronation Street

Providers

We work with many organisations and entertainers to put on the day including:  BWM Associates Ltd, Howard and his team at Bewl Water, Roger at Dragon Boat Events, Nick who supplies us with marquees and stages from Bodiam Marquees (sales@bodiammarquee.co.uk), and First Choice Inflatables.   They all ensure the day runs smoothly.

The Teams and Charities

Information on some of the teams and charities that have been involved appears in a separate section. We would, however, like to thank all the team captains over the years for they have ensured the success of this whole concept.

Media

As with any other event of this type, communication is the key and the local press, radio and television have provided all the help we could wish for. Funraisers are also proud to have been nominated in the 2000 Sussex Awards run by Southern FM and to have won an award at the Invicta FM Kent Awards 2001 for Outstanding Contribution to the Community.

The Web Site

The next stage had to be a new web site to help manage, market and promote the Festival. Baz had built our first very successful site in his spare time to help us expand our audience. Guy and Mike have developed a new site so we can manage the event on the web and launch other events to extend the Festival. A big thank you to them all.

The 2010 Organisers

The hard working team of organisers who will bring you this year’s event are Pip, Judi, Caroline, Kevin, Julie, Susie, Daniel, Sarah and Diana.

Related Pages:

Other Sites:

Contacts: