Turn Up the Music and Turn Out the Funds for Life-Saving Journeys Across the East Midlands
Looking for a lively, large-scale fundraising event that guarantees fun? East Midlands Freewheelers (EMF) Blood Bikes invites you to host your very own Charity Disco or Dance Party!
Whether you go for a retro theme (think 80s neon or 70s funk) or just want a night of brilliant current hits, a disco is a powerful way to engage your local community and raise essential funds for our volunteer-led service across Derby, Nottingham, and Leicester.
The Cause: Why East Midlands Freewheelers Needs Your Disco
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 Disco are absolutely crucial to covering the operational costs of our vehicles, fuel, and equipment.
Host Your Own: The EMF Charity Disco Guide
Hosting a successful charity disco requires a great soundtrack, a spacious venue, and a clear focus on fundraising.
Step 1: Secure the Sound and Venue
- Find the Venue: Look for venues with a good dance floor and capacity, such as a community hall, school gym, pub function room, or local club. Book well in advance!
- Sound and Lights: You will need a good sound system and basic lighting. You can hire a professional DJ who often comes with their own equipment, or you can manage the playlist yourself using a reliable sound system and streaming service.
- Music Choice: Decide on a theme or era (e.g., 90s anthems, Motown Classics) to make marketing easier and encourage people to dress up.
Step 2: Structure Your Fundraising
The biggest income from a disco comes from ticket sales and bar profits, but side games can boost your total significantly!
- Ticket Sales: Set a competitive price (e.g., £8 – £15 per person) that covers your overhead costs (venue hire, DJ) and ensures a healthy profit for EMF. Pre-selling tickets helps you manage capacity and guarantee a crowd.
- Cash Bar: If you can legally operate a bar or secure a temporary event notice, the profit margin on drinks is often the largest source of funds. If not, sell soft drinks and bottled water only.
- Dance-Off/Competition: Run a fun competition, such as a ‘Best Dressed’ contest or a ‘Dance-Off’, and charge a small entry fee (£1-£2) to participate.
- The Raffle: Run a large raffle during the night. Ask local businesses for donated prizes and announce the winners during a brief interval to maximize attention.
Step 3: Promote and Pump the Volume!
- Promotion: Use eye-catching posters, social media events, and local press to advertise the event. Clearly state that the party is in aid of the East Midlands Freewheelers Blood Bikes.
- Online Tickets: Use an online ticketing platform to simplify sales and track attendees. This also allows you to share the link easily via social media.
- Use the Hashtag: Encourage attendees to post photos and videos using #EMFCharityDisco to build hype and visibility.
Step 4: After the Last Dance
Once the lights come up and the venue is cleared, count your takings! Our fundraising team is available to help you transfer the funds safely and easily to the East Midlands Freewheelers bank account.
The Difference Your Disco Makes
Every ticket sold and every drink poured 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.