Gardening Leave Gardening Leave is a charity close to my heart and pulled me out the gutter. It's a charity that was set up to help ex-service men and women. They have done a short video which will be available to view shortly, just editing before final cut at the minute.

Anyhoo, the lady that started Gardening Leave is in the process of building a stillwater fishery, which will just be for veterans to fish in a safe and secure environment.

This is the website I have built for it GL Stillwater - Fishing for Veterans by Veterans, again in very early stages and some menus don't work, It was just to give the woman at gardening leave an idea of what the site would look like and it's content.

So, my question is, does anyone have any suggestions for fundraising ideas.

I believe there is a possibility that the stillwater will be open to public for competitions but it is all very early stages. She has the land and pretty much got all the funding, including the funding to pay someone who is ex-army to run it.

So would be good to start getting fundraising ideas ahead of time and as I will have a small part in helping out as I've had experience of running a stillwater but no experience of fundraising events. I have ran competitions before though.

Oh we will also be needed basic outsifts for veterans that don't have rods and reels, so if you have any cheap outfits lying in a garage, all donations are welcome

Well that's it, Look forward to your thought and ideas.

Tam

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The best way to a fisherman's heart is through his fly.

http://www.gardeningleave.org

Hi Tam

So glad Gardening Leave helped get you back on your feet.

Please PM me an address to send a couple of fly rods too.

All the best

Rich

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IT'S NOT A DOUBLE

Many thanks Rich, your a true gent. PM sent with Gardening Leave's address.

Thanks again
Tam

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The best way to a fisherman's heart is through his fly.

http://www.gardeningleave.org

Hi all,

Still looking for ideas for fundraisers for above charity for when they open the stillwater for veterans.

Cheers,
Tam

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The best way to a fisherman's heart is through his fly.

http://www.gardeningleave.org

I know a few places that put in some tagged fish. Folk pay a bit extra so that if they catch a tagged fish, they can claim a prize. Usually cash.

Now, this may be entirely unhelpful, as it relates to my sports club rather than a fishery, but I'll slap it down anyway and it might give you a few ideas:

1. Sponsorship/advertising - does what is says on the tin. They pay you money to put their name about the place.

2. Kit deals - we need to buy kit anyway for our players but we have a hook up with a supplier where they will give us a certain amount of other kit if we order so much from them. So we buy strips for the teams then use the "free" quota to get hoodies, tracksuits etc which we sell to the players. It more than pays for the kit we need to buy.

3. Social events: buy a ticket for the quiz night. Get gambling at a race night. BBQ with drinks etc. Fun/social tournaments. Invitation tournaments. Fireworks night. members annual dinner and so on.

4. We run a "150 club". Whoever wants to can sign up to a direct debit, paying £3 per month into our club account. Their name goes into a hat and at regular intervals there is a draw for 1st, 2nd and 3rd cash prizes. A bigger prize just before christmas. So long as you have enough members signed up you can't fail to make money. Some folk sign up with a hope of winning, but mainly, folk sign up as an easy way to support the club.

So not sure how easily those can be adapted to your situation, but might be worth a thought.

Neil

PS I assume the obvious answer "sell day tickets to the public" is not acceptable!

Thanks for the suggestion Neil.

Tagged fish is defnately out. As it's a charity and will be free to fish for veterans. She is adament that it doesn't make money.

Sponsors is a good idea and we are hoping that we will be able to run events/competitions for non-military personnel.

At the minute all I have come up with is alothough it's going to be completey free for veterans she will have do something like an honesty jar so if people want to take a fish or 2 they put money in the honesty jar to try and cover restocking.

Thanks again for your suggestions. We definately need to have a charity event near the grand launch date (if not on the Grand Lauch)

Cheers,
Tam

__________________
The best way to a fisherman's heart is through his fly.

http://www.gardeningleave.org

Just came across this thread, and the other, more recent, one.

The fishery looks like a great idea, and I'm sure it will complement the great work the charity is doing. Website looks good too!

I'm also sure the community here, and the fly-fishing community at large. will give you the help and encouragement to succeed.

Best wishes,

Andy

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