How to fundraise: tips from one of our top supporters 

James Radford is one of our top supporters. Driven by the devastating effect cancer has had in his family, he’s run many events for us, including:

• 2018 London Marathon
• 2019 Great North Run
• 2023 Berlin Marathon
• 2025 Edinburgh Marathon

Running 26.2 miles is not easy – and neither is raising the funds required to take part. Most charities – World Cancer Research Fund included – offer 2 ways to compete in events. If you have secured your own place, you normally don’t have to pay an entry fee to the charity. Instead you can focus all your efforts on fundraising for your chosen charity (which we hope is ours!)

If you want to apply for a charity place, you normally have to pay an entry or registration fee, and raise a minimum amount. The minimum depends on the distance and popularity of the race. For example, we ask our London Marathon runners to pledge to raise £2,750. For other events, the target is usually much lower – we ask our Paris Marathon runners to raise £1,000 and our Hackney Half Marathon runners to raise £500.

How to raise money for charity

James writes: Fundraising these days isn’t easy. Times are increasingly challenging for many and people find it difficult to give. However, you have one massive tool at your disposal: social media!

With social media at your fingertips, you can connect with the right people at the right time, and with the post at the right time you can get the donations you need.

1. Always post something after a walk or training run and update people on how it’s going.
2. Always include a donation link – people won’t scroll through looking for it.
3. Always post pictures before and after a run – believe it or not, people want to see that sweaty red face of yours … you’ve worked for that donation!
4. Live feeds are a great tool when you’re out running, especially if it’s raining, snowing or hot. People think, “wow, they’re out running in this!” They will feel your pain and hopefully donate.
5. Have you ever thought about the time of day you post? First thing in the morning, lunchtime, or on the way home are great times to pick up traffic. Think about when your followers are going to be scrolling most, and when you’ll get the most attention. Many people have eg Google Pay so NEVER forget your donations page link.
6. You have to keep it fresh and come up with something new. People love to see what you’re up to and I recommend doing something they can interact with. I completed a treadmill challenge in a local shopping centre and people I knew came along to see me get my sweat on during the day. Plus, because it’s engaging, the public stopped to ask questions, increasing the donations they made.
7. At any fundraiser you do, have a display board for people to look at. Include your story, information on the charity and your donation link or QR code. Not everyone has change on them these days but with a quick scan on their phones, a donation can be made!
8. It doesn’t need to be a treadmill or exercise bike … think about a sponsored walk or dance. You have to give people something nowadays and people like a disco, they love to party and fancy dress is always a winner!
9. Raffles at charity nights are popular – people like the thrill of a game of chance so don’t be afraid to ask businesses for prizes. If they say, “No I can’t help you mate,” that’s fine; move on to the next person. When we organised a raffle, we must have walked around every shop and business trying to get something for nothing, but it was all worth it in the end.
10. Get a small team together: friends, family, colleagues. They will be your biggest supporters. They can help share your story. Not only will they give you a boost when needed, they will encourage others to the event and, most importantly, shake that bucket!
11. If you have a personal reason for raising money ,don’t be afraid to share. People love a connection to the person they are sponsoring. Sadly, more often than you realise, you will come across someone who has also been impacted by cancer.
12. When coming up with ideas for fundraising, try to think outside the box – make yourself look silly and stand out. People will react with you and will be more likely to sponsor you.

Proud moments

James Radford and his wife presenting a cheque to World Cancer Research Fund.

I’ve been raising money for World Cancer Research Fund for nearly a decade now and I’m proud of everything I’ve achieved more than £15,000 in total.

I’ve met some amazing people at World Cancer Research Fund, from the people in the offices helping to get the word out, to those scientists making waves and advances in cancer prevention.

Seeing the work they are doing is amazing. If me running around in circles is a small part of why this is possible, then that’s brilliant. Remember, people like you going out there and raising money really matters. Every penny counts!

This blog was updated in July 2025