Fundraising case studies

The following case studies illustrate how faith groups have undertaken fundraising events for WaterAid.

If you are inspired by any of these stories and would like to help support some of the world's poorest people please email churches@wateraid.org or call us on 020 7793 2249.

Innovative fundraising at St Peters Church, Salesbury 

£5 was given to every member of the congregation at St Peters Church in Salesbury, Blackburn. This amount represented a ‘Talent’ based on the Jesus’ parable in the gospels. The whole community went away and used the money to generate as much income from their £5 as possible and raised a huge £1,335 for WaterAid’s work.

A fantastic community effort and congratulations to all of those involved!

Songs of Praise – Carsington Water

Ashbourne & Wirksworth Churches Together came together for an afternoon of music and worship at Carsington Water on Sunday 4th July. The congregation was not put off by the blustery weather and over 300 people attended the event and raised over £780 for WaterAid's work.

Thank you to all of those who were involved and we're very much looking forward to next year!

Churches Together in Gainford – Trad Jazz event

A full house in Gainford Village Hall enjoyed an evening of Trad Jazz and an Italian supper, raising a fantastic £561 for WaterAid on Saturday 17 April. 

Bill Goyder, a Churchwarden at St Mary's Parish Church, had organised a group of like minded friends to do a mini-tour of the North East and came along to entertain the gathering with a free session and all food was made by church members.

St Mary's Church, Snettisham - collecting Buckets of Pennies

Starting during Lent, St Mary's Church, Snettisham have been collecting Buckets of Pennies and have hosted a number of fundraising events to support our work. The finale will be on 10/10/10 when the congregation will gather to create a silver river of change down the aisle. To find out more and to get involved please contact Charlotte Flew on 020 7793 4563.

Download the St Mary's Church Snettisham flyer here ( DOC File 2628KB)

St Peters Church Wolvercote, Oxford - Wooden spoon puppet play

For their Harvest celebrations St Peters Church performed a wooden spoon puppet play about water.

• The congregation lived on 2 litres of water for a day and reported back at the service.
• A workshop for all ages allowed them to compare their water use with the developing world.
• During the workshop the congregation made laminated notices to turn off the tap when cleaning teeth and the wooden spoon puppets.
• They decorated the church with prayer cards in the shape of water drops and banners praising God for water.
• The children performed the Wooden spoon puppet play which Tessa Wilkinson wrote using WaterAid's story of Amina.

Mossley Methodist church - WaterAid harvest appeal

Mossley Methodist church lent their support to WaterAid's harvest appeal by involving their local community.

• A WaterAid stand at Mossley Farmers' Market provided the opportunity to raise funds and distribute 250 information leaflets. 
• To date the church has raised £1,200 with further donations coming from their sister church Hurst Methodist, and Rosehill Methodist Primary School.

Amersham Free Church – Water 4 Africa Church Centenary Celebration

The Amersham Free Church (AFC) in South Buckinghamshire celebrated its centenary by raising a staggering £72,000 for WaterAid.

• The name, Water 4 Africa, highlighted the four main benefits that water, sanitation and hygiene education bring to communities.
• The fundraising target was broken down over the year.
• The AFC created a logo, leaflets and banner.
• They visited businesses, schools, youth groups and the local media.
• A series of events was held including a water trek and auction of promises.
• They put up a "water meter" outside the church to display the rolling total.