Score Funds for Life-Saving Journeys by Organising a Tournament or Match in the East Midlands
Ready to lace up your boots and play for a purpose? East Midlands Freewheelers (EMF) Blood Bikes invites you to organize a Charity Football Match or Tournament!
Whether it’s a casual five-a-side challenge or a full 11-a-side tournament, football events are brilliant for drawing large crowds and raising significant funds. Every goal scored and every ticket sold helps keep our essential volunteer service running across Derby, Nottingham, and Leicester.
The Cause: Why East Midlands Freewheelers Needs Your Match
The East Midlands Freewheelers are a team of dedicated, unpaid volunteers who provide a free, urgent courier service to the NHS across Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and Nottinghamshire.
We operate 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 emergency transfusions
- Urgent samples for time-sensitive testing
- Donor breast milk for premature and sick babies
- Essential documents and medical equipment
As we receive absolutely no government funding, we rely completely on community support. Your football event is crucial to covering the operational costs of our vehicles, fuel, and equipment.
Host Your Own: The EMF Charity Football Guide
Hosting a successful football fundraiser is all about organizing the pitch, securing the players, and maximizing spectator engagement.
Step 1: Planning the Pitch and Players
- Secure the Venue: Book a local pitch, astro-turf, or sports centre. Ensure you have changing facilities and access to water.
- Tournament Format: For speed and maximum participation, a knockout 5-a-side or 7-a-side tournament often works best. For a larger event, arrange a friendly 11-a-side match between two community teams.
- Referees and Equipment: Ensure you have a referee (ask if they will volunteer their time for the charity!) and all necessary equipment (balls, nets, bibs/kits).
Step 2: Structure Your Fundraising
Income will come from both the teams playing and the spectators watching.
- Team Entry Fees: Charge a mandatory fee per team (e.g., £50 – £100 per team). This is your main source of income and should cover any pitch hire costs, with the rest going to EMF.
- Spectator Tickets: Charge a small entry fee at the gate (e.g., £2-£3 per person) for anyone coming to watch.
- Half-Time Activities:
- Penalty Shootout: Charge a small fee (£1-£2) for spectators to take a penalty shot at a volunteer goalkeeper.
- The Raffle: Run a raffle with prizes targeting sports fans (e.g., donated club tickets, signed merchandise, pub vouchers).
- Refreshment Sales: Set up a simple tuck shop or negotiate a percentage of sales from a vendor selling hot dogs, tea, coffee, and soft drinks.
Step 3: Promote and Recruit
- Promotion: Use club notice boards, local community groups, and social media events to advertise the match. Crucially, specify that all money raised supports the East Midlands Freewheelers Blood Bikes.
- Visuals: Create posters with bright imagery and the date/location clearly visible.
- The Cause: During the event, announce the work of the Blood Bikes over the loudspeaker (if available) and place clear signage around the pitch explaining what the charity does.
Step 4: After the Final Whistle
Once the match is over and the winner lifts the trophy, gather all your takings! Our dedicated fundraising team is available to help you transfer the proceeds safely and easily to the East Midlands Freewheelers bank account.
The Difference Your Match Makes
Every entry fee, ticket, and raffle draw 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 get the ball rolling? Need some help or guidance? Reach out to our Fundraising Team today.