Below you will find legal guidance from the Fundraising Regulator, as well as our top tips for holding a successful collection for Crisis. We're on hand to help! Email us at collections@crisis.org.uk if you have any questions along the way.
1. Decide where you want to collect
This could be at work, school, a place of worship or your local high street. If you’re collecting on private property (e.g., shopping centres, train station forecourts), you’ll need written permission from the site holders or owners.
If you’re collecting on the street or 'house to house' (this includes visits to pubs, offices and factories), you’ll need written permission from your local authority or the Metropolitan Police if in London. Most councils have details of how to apply for a licence on their website. This process can take time so it’s important to plan ahead. If you have any questions or need any help with this, you can get in touch at collections@crisis.org.uk.
Anyone collecting in public must be over 16.
2. Let us know about your collection
If you haven’t told us already, email us at collections@crisis.org.uk to let us know your plans. We can help with making sure you have the materials you need, like buckets, tins, and a letter of authorisation from Crisis to show you’re officially collecting on behalf of the charity.
3. Be in the know
For street collections and collections on sites managed by a local authority, you should avoid positioning yourself within three metres of:
- a shop entrance;
- a pedestrian crossing;
- a cash machine;
- a station entrance;
- a market stall; or
- a street trader, vendor or busker.
You must avoid approaching the public at unsuitable moments. For example, when they are:
- in a queue or sitting down, unless they are at your promotional stand or waiting to take part in your fundraising activity; or
- clearly working or carrying out official duties
4. Have an amazing collection!
Dress comfortably (suitable shoes, warm layers if in cold train stations; hats and sun cream if outside in the sun; even fancy dress if you're feeling creative!) and promote the amazing work we do at Crisis, however you are not required to answer any difficult questions. Please direct people to email collections@crisis.org.uk if they have any questions you can't answer.
You can only collect using closed tins or buckets, so please ensure yours are sealed with the sticker we provide. It's very important to not shake the bucket as this may result in you being removed from the property or venue. Only let people donate if they want to, and thank them for their generosity!
5. Pay in your money
Once your collection is over, get in touch with us by emailing collections@crisis.org.uk and we’ll let you know how you can pay in the money you’ve collected. Cash must be counted by at least two people before being paid in to us. We cannot accept cash in our office - this must be counted by you.