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Fundraise

Choose from a host of ways to raise much-needed funds for refugees

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Would you like to use your talents or interests to support refugees across the UK?

Whether you’re an aspiring runner, a brilliant baker or an extreme knitter, you can raise much-need funds and awareness to help refugees break down the barriers to employment.

Visit our Challenge Events, Community Fundraising or Fundraising at Work pages to find out more.

Why fundraise for Breaking Barriers?

Refugees have faced the unimaginable. Forced to flee their homes by war, violence or persecution. They’ve left behind their families, their communities, their livelihoods.

Finding meaningful employment can be a big step towards building a new life in the UK. But refugees face many barriers to gaining work. From learning a new language, to gaps in CVs due to lengthy asylum processes, to a lack of knowledge of the UK job market.

By fundraising for Breaking Barriers, you can help refugees overcome these challenges.

You’ll help fund one-to-one assistance for refugees on searching for, and applying, for work. You’ll contribute to English courses and re-accreditation advice for professions from medicine to engineering. You’ll open doors to training and jobs with businesses across the UK.

You’ll also raise vital awareness of the importance of meaningful employment – and of the rich, diverse skills and experiences that refugees bring to our workplaces and communities.

Getting started

Your fundraiser can be big or small. It can take place a mountain or in an armchair. Whatever you do, you’ll have a real impact for refugees. Here are four steps for getting started:

  1. What? Choose your activity. Visit our Challenge Events, Community Fundraising and Fundraising at Work pages for lots of ideas.
  2. Who? Will you fundraise alone or with a team? Some activities are perfect for individuals. Others are far more fun in a group.
  3. When? Give yourself time for planning, publicity and training. And consider the weather for outdoor activities!
  4. Contact us. We can help you plan your event, fundraise, and support you every step, bake or stitch of the way!

Challenge events

Get sponsored to run, swim, cycle, bungee jump or even Tough Mudder. You choose the challenge and we'll cheer you on!

Community fundraising

Fundraising doesn't need to be physical - there are lots of great ways to support refugees from your home or in your local community.

Fundraising at work

From a seasonal quiz to a sporty sweepstake, get your colleagues involved to help refugees build new lives.

Interested in fundraising?

Register your interest and we'll be in touch with to provide support, resources, and guidance to help make your fundraiser a success.

Start fundraising

Stories of success

Hear from our wonderful refugee clients and see how your support can help build new lives

<p>Stories of success</p>

Esraa's story

"People see that I have a job and I'm studying a master's and think I’m successful, but I want to share my backstory, the rejections I got and the struggles I went through, so that anyone reading this is inspired to help refugees."

Esraa’s story

Michelle's story

"A newcomer in the UK might not have the means to find employment opportunities, but Breaking Barriers gives us a chance."

Michelle shares how support from Breaking Barriers has helped her to boost her confidence and secure a job.

Michelle’s story

Comfort's story

"People came to my aid. People supported me. People helped me... I want to give back and share the love that people have shown to me."

In Nigeria, Comfort had her own successful business, but in the UK she had no idea how to find work. Now, with the right guidance and advice, she has a job as a support worker - this is her story.

Comfort’s story

Fundraising FAQs

We can help you choose your fundraising activity, and provide tips, ideas and promotional materials. For sponsored challenges we can also provide advice on setting up a fundraising page.

If you’re taking on a physical challenge, we can offer places free of charge in a wide range of events through our partnership with Run for Charity. Find out more on our Challenge Event page.

Whatever you’re doing to help refugees, we’ll also promote and celebrate your fundraising activity on our website and on social media. And you’ll have dedicated support from our team every step of the way.

You can fundraise by yourself, with a group, or at work. You could take on a physical challenge, hold a bake sale, gig or sponsored silence, or even bring colleagues together for a potluck lunch. The options are endless!

But, when it comes to choosing the best way to fundraise, it’s important to answer one question: What activity do you feel confident taking on with our support? It’s much easier to plan your event, stick with any training, and inspire people to donate if you’re excited and enthusiastic too!

If you’re stuck for ideas for ways to fundraise, simply contact us and we’ll help you choose the activity that’s right for you.

Yes! We’re delighted to support family groups, friends or colleagues who are fundraising together.

Whether you’re taking on a 10k run, holding a badminton marathon, staging an office quiz or facing a bungee leap, we can offer advice, encouragement and support.

Our Fundraising at Work and Community Fundraising pages contain lots more inspiration. And, don’t forget, if you’re planning a physical challenge we can help your group access places in a wide range of events, free of charge. Check out our Challenge Event page for more information.

If you are planning to raise money online, we recommend you set up a fundraising page on JustGiving, or another platform of your choice.

Once you’ve chosen your challenge or fundraising activity, simply contact us and we can help you create and tailor your page to get your fantastic fundraising off the ground!

If you’re considering fundraising via a physical challenge, we can offer places at no cost to you in a wide range of events. We simply ask for a minimum fundraising commitment. You can find out more on our Challenge Event page. We’ll usually ask you to cover other costs, including for clothing, equipment, or travel – but we can provide Breaking Barriers branded vests for challenge events.

For fundraising in your community or at work, we can provide a range of fundraising materials to help reduce the cost of fundraising for you. In addition, reasonable expenses can be deducted from the proceeds of your fundraiser to ensure you aren’t out-of-pocket. This must be agreed with us, in writing, in advance, and you should make it clear that expenses will be deducted when you’re promoting your fundraising event. Please contact us for more guidance and advice.

Firstly, thank you so much for raising money to help refugees build new lives. Every penny makes a difference.

If you’ve received sponsorship or contributions online, these will automatically be sent to Breaking Barriers by the fundraising platform you chose.

Alternatively, if you raised money in the ‘real world’ please make an equivalent donation online. You can then simply keep the cash you raised:

  • To donate the proceeds of personal or community fundraising events, please use this form.
  • To donate the proceeds of fundraising at work, please use this form.

If you have any problems making a donation online, please contact us. And thank you so much, in advance, for the proceeds of your fantastic fundraiser!