**NOTE** there is now an updated (and bigger) version of this blog which you can find here:
I have had lots of people ask me who I have had raffle prizes donated from so I have put together this directory of successful prizes I have collected in the past. I would recommend reading my How to Get Raffle Prize Donationspagefirst as this includes lots of tips about what to say, who to speak withand how to approach them. You only get 1 shot at asking each place and after years of practice I have worked out the most effective techniques.
Note that a lot ofcompanies will not donate without something official on letterhead from the charity you are raising money for. So ask your charity before you start to send you a headed letter which you can include with your ‘asking’email or letter. I think it adds weighting to your request and will also save you timelater down the line.
Build-a-Bear – £10 voucher
Fill out an online enquiry – http://www.buildabear.co.uk/aboutus/community/donations.aspx
London Eye – Ride for all the family on the Eye
Fill out an online enquiry – http://www.londoneye.com/AboutUs/CorporateResponsibility/CharityRequests/Default.aspx
WHSmiths – £25 Voucher
Go into your local store and ask to speak to the manager. Have a letter with you as they will likely need something in writing to donate. If the manager is not there you can ask them to pass the letter on to them.
Personal Trainer – 6 x personal training sessions and £60 voucher
Look in your local directory or google ‘personal trainer [location]’
Dominos – £40 Voucher
Just contact your local store with a phone call
Wagamama – £30 Voucher
Fill out an online enquiry –http://www.wagamama.com/contact-us
Local Fish & Chip Shop – 2 x £20 Voucher
I’ve always had great success with my local fish and chip shop just through sending an email or making a call
Hairdressers – Voucher for a haircut and a selection of beauty creams
I haven’t had great success with hairdressers but found a local independent one that donated. If you go reguarly to the same hairdressers ask when you are next in.
The Real Greek – £25 Voucher
Find your local branch email address – http://www.therealgreek.com/contact
Animal – Holdall Bag
Email – shop@animal.co.uk
Eurostar – Monthly draw for a donation, just send an email to the address below
Email your name, event details and charity details – charity@eurostar.com
Football Club – 4 x tickets to a game and free lessons
Contacted my local club with a phone call…very generous (also offered use of their venue free for an event)
Next – £20 voucher
Email – Charities_department@next.co.uk
Toys r us – £50 worth of toys
Email -TRUCF@toysrus.com
Argos – Choose £50 worth of shopping for the event
Go into your local store and ask to speak to the manager. Have a letter with you as they will likely need something in writing to donate. If the manager is not there you can ask them to pass the letter on to them.
National London Ballet – 2 x tickets to a show
Email – info@ballet.org.uk
Tattoo Artist – 3 x Free Tattoo
I imagine Tattoo artists don’t get asked for donations often! Contact your local tattoo shops with a call or email
Professional photographer – Family photo shoot
Look for photographers and studios in your local area and send them an email.
Wilkinsons-£30 Voucher
Go into your local store and ask to speak to the manager. Have a letter with you as they will likely need something in writing to donate. If the manager is not there you can ask them to pass the letter on to them.
MUJI – Selection of Muji Products
Write a letter (note they have a yearly cap on donations and this gets filled fast so sending a letter in the beggining of the financial year is a good idea) -8-12 Leeke Street, London, WC1X 9HT
Dorothy Perkins -£20 Voucher
Send a letter to – Arcadia Group Ltd, Colegrave House, 70 Berners Street, London, W1T 3NL
Brittany Ferries – £150 Brittany Ferries Voucher
Send a letter to – Customer Services, Brittany Ferries, Millbay, Plymouth, Devon, PL1 3EW
Disney – Selection of Disney goods
Send a letter (remember to include charity contact details and charity number…best to do with an official charity letterhead) to – Corporate Community Affairs, The Walt Disney Company Ltd., Attn: Donation Requests, 3 Queen Caroline Street, Hammersmith, London, W6 9PE
Ikea – £100 voucher
Send a letter to – IKEA Ltd, Customer Relations, Kingston Park, Peterborough, PE2 9ET
McDonalds – Meal Vouchers
Fill out an online enquiry – http://www.mcdonalds.co.uk/ukhome/Contact-us.html
Sea Life London Aquarium – Entry for a family of 4
Note: only donates to local schools and charities so check to see if your charity is near to an aquarium. For London based charities send a letter to – SEA LIFE London Aquarium, Riverside Building, County Hall,Westminster Bridge Road
Thorpe Park – 2 Entry Tickets
Note: Only support local schools and charities, if local send to – Fundraising requests, Thorpe Park, Staines Road, Chertsey, Surrey, KT16 8PN London SE1 7PB
Universal Music Operations – Selection of CDs
Send a letter to – Lisa Dorrington, Customer Services Advisor, Universal Music Operations, Chippenham Drive, Kingston, Milton Keynes, MK10 0AT
Sainsburys – £30 to spend in store
Go into your local store and ask to speak to the manager. Have a letter with you as they will likely need something in writing to donate. If the manager is not there you can ask them to pass the letter on to them.
Psychic – A psychic reading
Contact local psychics working in your area, send them an email.
Massage – 2 x Full body massage
I’ve never had luck with big chains or spas, search for local people who run their own massage business and drop them an email.
Tesco – £20 to spend in store
Go into your local store and ask to speak to the manager. Have a letter with you as they will likely need something in writing to donate. If the manager is not there you can ask them to pass the letter on to them.
Kettles Crisps – 50 large sharing bags of Kettle Crisps (snacks during our quiz)
Fill out an online enquiry – http://www.kettlefoods.co.uk/talk-to-us/have-your-say
TGI Fridays – £25 Voucher
Fill out an online enquiry (choose general enquiry form) – https://www.tgifridays.co.uk/contact-us
Yo Sushi – £50 Voucher
Email – enquiries@yosushi.com
Jellybelly’s – Hamper of Jellybelly’s
Email – helpdesk@jellybelly-uk.com
Photograph – 2 x framed photographs and 2 x canvas photographs
Look for local photographers in your area and send them an email (make sure they take art photos rather than wedding photographers).
McVities – 50 bags of mini biscuits (for snacks during our quiz)
Fill out an online enquiry – http://www.unitedbiscuits.com/contact.php
Life Coach – 6 x life coach sessions
Contact local Life Coachesworking in your area, send them an email.
Kayaking– 3 xKayaking or Paddle boarding sessions
Contact any nearby watersports organisations (Kayaking, Canoeing, Rowing, Sailing, Scuba Diving, etc), send them an email.
YOGA – 12 x Yoga sessions & a Yoga Mat
Search for yoga teachers or clubs operating in your area. It doesn’t cost them much to have an extra person in their class so I found them to be very keen.Send them an email.
Pub – 3 x Voucher to spend in pubs
I’ve had donations from both independent and chain pubs so try contacting any in the area. They may also be willing to give you a venue if you need one for your event!
Furniture – Custom made stool
Donated by a local furniture maker – I saw him at a craft fair and approached him afterwards
(NEW) Children’s Photographer – Underwater photo session and prints
A local children’s pool who offer underwater photographer sessions donated this item. It’s a great prize to include in a raffle if you know there will be lots of families at the event
(NEW) Car Wash Vouchers – 3 vouchers for a full car valet clean, inside and out. I couldn’t find an email address for my local car wash company so I gave them a call. The manager was very friendly and sent me 3 vouchers for my raffle.
(NEW) Language Lessons– 4 hours of grouplessons in a language of your choice. I sent an email to a language school who offers evening and day time language lessons.
*Please note, as the Free Wealth grows in popularity it will become less likely that the above companies will donate as they will be receiving a high number of requests. It is best to use this directory as a creative tool to help you think of new and unusual avenues that you haven’t considered exploring yet.
