Raising funds really can feel like climbing a mountain!

Encouraging participation and donations for a charity event can often feel like uphill work – especially if your fundraising event involves taking thousands and thousands of steps up a flight of stairs!

This was the daunting undertaking ahead of the fundraising heroes at Southmead Hospital as they set themselves ready to begin the “Stair Climb Challenge”. The fundraiser is part of The Captain Tom 100 initiative that calls on people across the country to take on their own version of his 100 challenge – in this case by climbing 100 flights of stairs per week (or more!)

Competing either individually or as part of a team, competitors climb stairs and collect money from sponsorship to raise funds for the Southmead Hospital Charity. For a gentle start 33 flights of stairs (or 490 steps) equates to a virtual  climb up the Clifton Suspension Bridge. More challenging would be the 474 flights of stairs (or 7107 steps) to climb Snowdonia. For the most intrepid, 3871 flights of stairs (58070 steps) works out as a virtual conquering of Mount Everest! 

To create interest and to encourage people to sign up to take part in the challenge, the canny organisers realised that badges could be used as a fun giveaway to incentivise the registration of fundraising climbers. For a low cost but high impact option they chose button badges.

The design was supplied, and with the help of our free artwork service the image was applied to a template and a free proof created for review and approval. We recommended a 38mm diameter size to be large enough to give impact but small enough to be worn comfortably. Our skilful designer created some additional artwork to use to wrap around the edges and the back of the badges for a seamless finish, and the design was approved at the first iteration.

The badges then went to print and press, and were delivered in a very short space of time. As well as being a nice token of appreciation, the badges are now also serving as mobile adverts worn with pride by participants in what will no doubt be a terrific campaign that will raise funds for a very valuable cause.

Now surely that is worth climbing a mountain for!

For more information about the Southmead Hospital Charity and the North Bristol NHS Trust Charitable Funds (Registered Charity No.1055900), have a look at their website: www.southmeadhospitalcharity.org.uk.