We thought we’d kick off our fundraising week with a little inspiration, to let you know that it IS possible to raise money for your trip, AND have fun while you’re doing it!

Holly Bardrick (http://www.i-to-i.com/campfire/hollybardrick) and Anna Shorten (http://www.i-to-i.com/campfire/annashorten) are childhood friends from London and Kent who are heading off to Africa next year to volunteer on no less than THREE brilliant i-to-i projects: Community work with children in Mombasa, Kenya in February, then volunteering at an orphanage in Cape Town in March, followed by a stint working with lion cubs in Johannesburg in April, plus a week of backpacking afterwards!

The duo will do some incredibly worthwhile work for underprivileged communities and endangered wildlife during their time volunteering in Africa, but the whole trip is going to cost them over £5,500 each! So while they’re saving for their African adventure out of their own pockets, they’ve also been busy as anything coming up with some great fundraising ideas to make sure they get to fulfil their life-long dream.

They’ve made a fantastic start, having already raised £400 by selling bags full of items like clothes, toys and books donated by family and friends at car boot sales. They also raised £350 at the last instalment of their monthly quiz night at the Victoria Pub in London, where they charge £20 entry per team.

Anna said: “It’s hard to say which has been the biggest success, as we have so many events coming up, but the quiz night has been very successful! We don’t get much for each bootsale, maybe £50 on average, but the more you do the more money you will get, and after the initial 5am start they are a lot of fun!

“So far they have both been successful,” Holly added. “At the end of it all we have money in our pocket that we did not have before!”

That’s not the end of it either – the pair have got a lot more ideas up their sleeves. Anna said: “Myself, Holly, a friend Antony, my mum Karen and brother Josh have booked our skydive for the 16th September and are looking for sponsors to raise money! Very excited about this!” Holly is not so enthusiastic though: “I am very scared,” she added. Anna’s sister Demi is also being sponsored to spend the day at her church head-to-toe in African style body paint!

Anna’s adamant that herself and Holly are going to be doing much more than just asking people for donations and sponsorship though: “Holly and I decided when we first started fundraising that we won’t just ask people for money – we want to entertain people and work hard to run an event that people are happy to pay for and have got value for their money!” she said.

So, they’ve got lots more events in the pipeline: they’ll be holding a TOGA party at T.H.A.T London Club near the O2 Arena in Greenwich on 21st August. Tickets are only £8 in advance or £12 on the door, and they’re keen to stress that everyone (well, over 18s that is) is invited! They’re also planning a ‘Girly Night In’. Holly said: “We are hiring a hall, getting lots of beauticians and hairdressers, tarot reading, massages – basically everything a girl likes!” The event’s planned for the 9th September, but is still to be confirmed. What’s sure is that it’s going to be a lot of girly fun! They’re also planning to put on a talent show if they can find a hall that’s big enough.

Holly said: “Every time we come up with a new fundraising idea we get so excited! It really has a feel-good factor about it.”

Anna added: “Holly and I have had so much fun planning events! We have the Greenwich Time Newspaper following our progress and have got so much support around us! Our three month trip and all our fundraising will make this part of our lives unforgettable!

Asked if they had any advice for other fundraisers, Anna said: “It’s easier than you expect! There are some extremely generous people out there who want to help – ask everyone you meet for help and advice! Don’t hold back! Don’t be afraid to make a fool of yourself! Get friends and family involved! It’s so much fun! And, if all else fails – do weekly bootsales!

You can follow Holly and Anna’s progress on their website: http://www.hollyandanna.com/index.php

Check out Step 1.5 of our fundraising series, about the basics of planning your fundraising mission here (http://www.i-to-i.com/campfire/travel-guides/135-Step-1-Planning-your-fundraising-mission-).

Check back tomorrow for Step 2 of our fundraising series – running events to raise money!

• fundraising
• volunteer abroad
• gap year
• africa