Turn Your Table into a Fundraiser & Fuel Life-Saving Journeys Across the East Midlands
Do you love cooking, hosting, and bringing people together for a great cause? East Midlands Freewheelers (EMF) Blood Bikes invites you to host your own Charity Dinner Party!
This elegant and engaging fundraising idea is perfect for raising a substantial amount of money in one evening. Whether it’s a formal three-course meal or a casual themed supper, every plate served helps keep our Blood Bikes on the road across Derby, Nottingham, and Leicester.
The Cause: Why East Midlands Freewheelers Needs Your Support
The East Midlands Freewheelers are a team of highly dedicated, unpaid volunteers who provide a free, urgent courier service to the NHS across Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and Nottinghamshire.
We are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, regardless of the weather. Our volunteers transport vital medical supplies that hospitals need immediately, including:
- Blood products for life-saving transfusions
- Urgent samples for time-critical testing
- Donor breast milk for premature and sick babies
- Essential documents and medical equipment
Our service is entirely reliant on community generosity. We receive no government funding, meaning events like your Charity Dinner Party are absolutely crucial to covering the operational costs of our vehicles, fuel, and equipment.
Host Your Own: The EMF Dinner Party Challenge
Hosting a successful charity dinner party is all about great food, great company, and a clear focus on the cause. Here is your step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Planning Your Event
- Set the Guest List and Goal: Decide how many people you can comfortably host and set a fundraising target. A smaller, higher-ticket event can be as effective as a large, lower-ticket one.
- Date and Venue: Choose a date. Your home is the simplest venue, but a borrowed community hall or club room works well for larger groups.
- Menu and Theme: Keep the menu manageable so you can enjoy your own party! A fun theme (e.g., Italian Night, 1920s Glamour) can help build excitement and decoration ideas.
Step 2: Structure Your Fundraising
The most effective way to run a dinner party fundraiser is to charge a Ticket Price that covers your food costs plus a generous, pre-calculated donation to EMF.
- Example: If food costs £10 per head, charge £30 per ticket. £20 goes straight to Blood Bikes!
- Bonus Fundraising Ideas:
- Wine Wall: Instead of including drinks, sell wine and soft drinks separately with a clear profit margin for the charity.
- Dessert Dash/Auction: Auction off a particularly luxurious dessert course or offer a small silent auction with donated gifts.
- The Raffle: Run a simple raffle with tickets sold throughout the evening. Announce the winner just before the main course or dessert.
Step 3: Share the Story and Promote
- Invitations: Make it clear on your invitations (or online event page) that the evening is dedicated to raising funds for the East Midlands Freewheelers Blood Bikes.
- Tell the ‘Why’: During the dinner, take a moment to briefly explain the work of the Blood Bikes and how the money raised is used (see the section below). Showing a short video or reading a testimonial can be very impactful.
- Use Social Media: Share photos of your preparation and decorations online. Use the hashtag #EMFDinnerParty.
Step 4: After the Plates Are Cleared
Once your guests have gone and the donations are counted, please ensure all funds are sent safely and easily to the East Midlands Freewheelers. Our dedicated fundraising team is available to assist you with the transfer process.
The Difference Your Dinner Makes
Every ticket sold and every raffle ticket purchased translates directly into operational support for our volunteer riders and fleet.
- £30 covers the fuel costs for a single life-saving journey between two hospitals.
- £150 helps fund vital maintenance and insurance for one of our Blood Bikes for a whole month.
- £500 could purchase new high-visibility and protective gear for a volunteer rider, ensuring their safety on the road.
Ready to start planning the perfect party? Need some help or guidance? Reach out to our Fundraising Team today.