Hassocks Sports Centre staff put the fun into fundraising

When it comes to having fun while fundraising, look no further than the Freedom Leisure team at Hassocks Sports Centre at Downlands Community School. Not content with simply wearing t-shirts or handing round charity buckets, the team works hard to attract attention to themselves and their good causes by entertaining members and colleagues.

Hassocks Sport Centre staff put the fun into fundraising for Comic Relief SUS-150904-171907001

In two recent episodes of silliness, the Freedom Leisure team raised over £120 for the British Heart Foundation and Comic Relief.

For the British Heart Foundation, two members of staff dressed up as Wally and hid around the building, popping up at various points to make people smile – and donate.

“We had a real giggle for the British Heart Foundation as the theme was to wear something red,” says Kathy O’Regan, Freedom Leisure Centre Manager. “Running around the Centre as Wally certainly surprised a few people and worked a treat to grab their attention.” Kathy was joined by another ‘Wally’ – Laura Pierce – and between them they raised awareness of the ‘Where’s Wally’ hunt in which 50 pictures of the famous character were hidden around the centre for the young and young at heart to find in a competition.

A couple of weeks’ later, staff came over all funny again by donning Comic Relief noses, glasses and moustaches in a bid to raise further funds.

“Charity events are commonplace these days but I find that if you do something a little different and surprising, people respond really well,” says Kathy. “We have fun fundraising here at Hassocks Sports Centre and I do think because we entertain colleagues and members, they take notice and are more willing to donate.”

Repoirt and pictures contributed by Katherine Selby, actionpr.