Volunteers

Support Us

Pick an event to join in with or select an option that suits you.

Many people find that remembering a loved one by making donations can be an uplifting experience. It can also be fitting to the memory of someone who helped others

Join our ‘Friends of Edward’s Trust’ (FOET)… We are a group of wonderful, like-minded VOLUNTEERS who come together to support the needs of the Trust

To show your support of Edward’s Trust why not get your hands on some Edward’s Trust merch or Christmas cards. and be the envy of all your friends. Click here to visit our Edward’s Trust shop

There are lots of ways that people fundraise for us.  Here are some ideas for you as an individual

Educational settings, Uniformed Organisations, Social & sports clubs.

As part of your community outreach you may want to consider supporting Edward’s Trust

Why fundraise & how it helps

Every year around 700 families are referred to Edward’s Trust. It costs approximately £600,000 per annum to fund the care offered to bereaved families. We believe that the range of support services provided ensure the very best care for bereaved families to rebuild their lives after experiencing devastating grief and see hope for the future.

Edward’s Trust makes a real difference to the lives of bereaved families and you can help us to continue making a difference by supporting our work. Edward’s Trust received now government or NHS funding and therefore relies on donations from supporters, fundraising events and trusts and grants to continue offering our vital services.

Every year we see a greater demand for our services and with you help we can continue to offer our vital services.

We are grateful for all our support from grant funders.

One way that people support us is to take part in the Unity Lottery. A minimum of 50% of the total lottery proceeds are spent on supporting the work carried out by Edward’s Trust, 18.4% on prizes and 31.6% on the running cost and administration of the lottery.

Fundraising for INDIVIDUALS

Host your own event

Think of an idea that will engage your friends, family, work colleagues to come along, make it sociable, make it fun, you will be amazed the impact it has and the feeling of self-achievement in knowing that you will be helping bereaved families across the West Midlands.  We are ALWAYS here to help too to offer support and guidance along the way, and provide all the necessary equipment to make your event go smoothly! 

Donate

The smallest donation can make a the big difference to our families… We can also claim gift aid which increases your donation by %. 

You can donate here or contact us on: fundraising@edwardstrust.org.uk .

Take on our October '31 in 31' Challenge

31 in 31 is our October fundraising challenge. You can choose to do 31 of anything you wish over the 31 days of any month with 31 days in it, whether it’s running a mile a day for 31 days, or reading a book a day for 31 days… I’m sure you will find something that floats your boat! 

Try something new, challenge yourself, ask friends and family to support you along the way, you’ll be amazed by the benefits to you and us! You can download all you need here: ’31 in 31 pack’

Become a member of our 'Kite Club' for regular givers

If you have no time to do any of the above, then consider supporting us with a small donation each month, whether it’s £2, £5 or £10 per month, it really does go a long way in helping us to #FlyTheKite for our families! You can find out more about this exclusive club here and download the form here: Regular Givers Form

Climb Edward Mountain in January

During the Coronavirus pandemic we had to think creatively about challenges our fundraisers could do from the safety of their own home and we came up with the idea of climbing a virtual mountain using their staircase! It went so well that we are continuing to run it every January. As well as raising much needed funds, it is also a great way to get fitter after the excesses of Christmas. You can find all you need to undertake the Climb Edward Mountain Challenge here.

Take part in one of our events

Every year we plan our events to give variety in the hope that there is something for everyone, whether it’s popping your trainers on, getting your bike out the garage or joining us on our ‘Curry & Gin Evening’ or ‘Chinese and Wine Tasting’ Nights – you are more than welcome!  We are now running live events again but are keeping some virtual events such as our Virtual Quiz and Kite Race. Our diary of events is at the bottom of this page.

Host a '4 O'Clock Cake event

The tastiest way to support us is by hosting your own cake sale! 

A refreshing cuppa and a slice of cake is everyone’s favourite treat.  Ask us for a ‘4 O’clock Cake’ Pack which will guide you through the process and provide you with all you need, except the cakes, of course!  Get baking! 

Pass the Baton in July

During the Coronavirus pandemic we had to think creatively about challenges our fundraisers could do from the safety of their own home and we came up with the idea of getting a team together with individuals doing a challenge for an hour then virtually passing the baton to the next team member. The challenge runs for 24 hours, through the night! (This year some teams had the forethought to recruit team members from friends and family overseas so we had people fundraising for us in Spain, Italy, the USA and even Australia). If you would like to gather a team and do our Pass the Baton 24hr challenge you can find all you need here.

Fundraising For Communities, Groups & Educational Settings

Host a non-uniform day at School

Choose a day that is suitable for your school, pick a theme, it could be a pink and blue theme in line with Edward’s Trust branding, it could be a kite theme, in line with our logo, everyone donates £1 to wear clothes relating to the theme, you’ll be amazed how much one day can raise for Edward’s Trust. 

Host a Christmas Jumper day at School

Schools often hold Christmas Jumper Days with everyone donating £1 to wear their festive attire. Why not have some festive fun and also raise money for Edward’s Trust. (We’d love to see your photos)

Host a School Fayre and name Edward’s Trust as the charity to support

Dedicate Edward’s Trust to be the beneficiaries of your Easter / Summer / Christmas Fayre, it allows the students to have lots of fun and at the same time support our work with bereaved families across the West Midlands.  

Dedicate your Whole-School Sports day to Edward’s Trust

Sports days are a very easy, fun and healthy way to raise funds for Edward’s trust, as well as instilling competition, team work and the  ‘healthy mind, healthy body’ approach!

Host a School Raffle/Tombola for Edward's Trust

Make the most of having lots of individuals together at one venue!  Source some raffle with our help and sell raffle tickets, you will be amazed how popular raffles can be!  Ask your students to donate one toy/useful item in good condition, collate them, pop tickets on them and use them for a raffle at your school!  

Sign up for our Kite Challenge Pack

Check out our new ‘Kite Challenge Pack’ designed to suit the needs of your school.  Our pack helps to support students, their families, their school, the local community and Edward’s Trust.  The pack is also editable and we can put your schools logo on each pack.  Contact fundraising@edwardstrust.org.uk to personalize yours!  

Host a '4 O'Clock Cake event

The tastiest way to support us is by hosting your own cake sale! 

A refreshing cuppa and a slice of cake is everyone’s favourite treat.  Ask us for a ‘4 O’clock Cake’ Pack which will guide you through the process and provide you with all you need, except the cakes, of course!  Get baking! 

Take part in one of our events

Every year we plan our events to give variety in the hope that there is something for everyone, whether it’s popping your trainers on, getting your bike out the garage or joining us on our ‘Curry & Gin Evening’ or ‘Chinese and Wine Tasting’ Nights – you are more than welcome!  We are now running live events again but are keeping some virtual events such as our Virtual Quiz and Kite Race. Our diary of events is at the bottom of this page.

Become a regular giver

If you have no time to do any of the above, then consider supporting us with a small donation each month, whether it’s £2, £5 or £10 per month, it really does go a long way in helping us to #FlyTheKite for our families! You can download the form here: Regular Givers Form

Host your own event

Think of an idea that will engage your friends, family, work colleagues to come along, make it sociable, make it fun, you will be amazed the impact it has and the feeling of self-achievement in knowing that you will be helping bereaved families across the West Midlands.  We are ALWAYS here to help too to offer support and guidance along the way, and provide all the necessary equipment to make your event go smoothly! 

In memory of someone special

Host a celebration event in memory of someone special

If that special person in your life is approaching a special milestone, 5th Birthday, 10th Birthday, 18th Birthday, 21st Birthday etc consider a party to celebrate how special they were!  Invite all your family and friends who would like to remember them too!  This creates a community of togetherness whilst reflecting on and remembering the life of a loved one! Do get in touch with us for logo for your invitation or if you would like us to design you a poster/invite for the event.

A Leaf for Life

If you have been supported by Edward’s Trust, you may want to buy a ‘Leaf for a Life.’  The leaf will be inscribed with the name of your loved one, and placed on our tree in the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, where you can visit for quiet contemplation.  Our leaves cost £25, contact fundraising@edwardstrust.org.uk If you would like to order one or download order form here.  They make lovely gifts for families. 

 

Volunteer with us

Join our ‘Friends of Edward’s Trust’ (FOET)… We are a group of wonderful, like-minded VOLUNTEERS who come together to support the needs of the Trust.  The commitment they offer is invaluable in terms of volunteering, supporting and fundraising; with our bereaved families being at the heart of everything they do. For more information click here.

 

Funerals

One way to celebrate the life of someone special is by asking family and friends to donate to a charity instead of buying flowers.  Funeral directors can organize a collection and ensure Edward’s Trust receive the money, or you can set up and share a Just Giving Page (for Instructions on how to do this, contact fundraising@edwardstrust.org.uk

 

Legacies

Gifts in Wills (or “legacy giving”) are an important source of income for Edward’s Trust. By leaving us a gift in your Will, however small, you will be helping us to continue our mission to provide holistic bereavement support across the West Midlands region. To find out more, click here

 

Edward's Trust Dedication page

For families who are being, or who have been supported by Edward’s Trust we have a special dedication page when you can post the name, photo and a few words about your loved one. You can find out more here.

 

Tribute page

There are two options for setting up a tribute page. We are working with Much Loved charity so you can set up a Much Loved tribute page here, or you can set up a Just Giving page in memory of someone. Go to www.JustGiving.com/edwardstrust select ‘Fundraise for us’. Follow the instructions to either log on, or register, then select ‘Remembering Someone’ on the “What are you doing?” page. It’s a great way for family and friends to have an opportunity to ‘take a moment’ to remember and reflect and see the difference that person made to the lives of others.

 

Upcoming Events & Campaigns - Supporting

nov 28- dec 5 - the big give

Following our hugely successful previous Christmas Big Give Campaigns, this year, with support from our Champion, The Hospital Saturday Fund we are going again... and going bigger! During the Big Give week all donations will be DOUBLED and we hope to raise a total of £20,000. Will you help us? DONATE here  (Please note, link will not be live until 28th Nov at midday)

nov 30 - Christmas chinese fundraiser with jasper carrott ***SOLD OUT!***

We are big fans of the award-winning Chung Ying Chinese Restaurant in the Chinese Quarter. We are also big fans of Jasper Carrott, so we are delighted to be hosting an intimate audience with Jasper including a two course meal of delicious food a welcome drink and the usual karaoke fun! **This event is now sold out.

dec 8 - Christmas jumper day

A wonderful opportunity to get a bit festive in your Christmas jumper and raise much needed support for Edward's Trust at the same time. Sign up here so we can send you more details, and we look forward to seeing your fabulous festive attire!

dec 9 - edgbaston artisan Christmas market

We are delighted to be at our local artisan Christmas Market again this year alongwith our friends in the Calthorpe Estates Community. Do pop along pick up some beautiful Christmas gifts and say, 'hi.' We'd love to see you.

may 5 - Great birmingham run

If you are thinking about taking on the Birmingham 10k or the Half marathon this year, then why not run it as a sponsored event for us and help your local bereavement charity to support children, young people and parents across the West Midlands. Book your place here then let us know and we will give you an Edward's Trust t-shirt so you can tell the world you are supporting us and we will support and encourage you. 

throughout the year - ultra challenges

Are you a walker, jogger, or a runner looking for a challenge – to test yourself or to get in shape, and achieve something special? If so, these events are for you! Whether it’s along stunning coastline, or on trails through the best of Britain’s countryside, your Ultra Challenge® will be unforgettable - fundraise for Edward's Trust and get full support and an amazing sense of fulfilment.  Find out more here

Apr 27/28 - wolf run

Find your 'inner wolf' by running through fields, mud, lakes and climbing, crawling, laughing, crying your way around either a 5k or 10k obstacle course in Leicestershire or Warwickshire

Find out more here

Upcoming Events - Wellbeing & Remembering

light up a life dedication page

This time of year can be tough for those who have been bereaved. For many it helps to have a place to remember their loved one. This may be a physical place, but it could also be a virtual place. You can set up a dedication to your loved one on our 'Light Up a Life' dedication page here.

Wellbeing

Here at Edward's Trust we support the whole person with their bereavement so in addition to counselling we also offer wellbeing sessions with our Wellbeing Therapist and Personal Trainer, Sophie Skipp. Find out more here

Here is what some people say about our work

I love raising awareness for ET.  It felt like I could use the anger in my grief as a source of energy to help ET support other bereaved families, & I still enjoy every minute of it!  Being part of the FOET group helps bring a focus & being with other volunteers is a great sense of camaraderie and togetherness!

Richard Page

Volunteering this last year, the friends I have made & being with people feeling the same way has helped me cope in a more positive way.  I know I can talk about Josh & how I feel and everyone really understands.  I thank Edward’s Trust for the help and support they gave my family but also for the help and support they have given me through the FOET group

Sue Caldicott

I have now met a group of wonderful people at the FOET group who all have their own unique experiences but are always there to offer support.

To be able to give back now & know that another family is receiving the support that we received is well worth the time I am able to give!

Donna Mclean