Many of you are participating in the Manchester Half on behalf of a cause close to your heart. A marathon or half marathon is an excellent challenge to set your heart, mind and legs too, and you can raise money for fantastic organisations and help build their brand awareness of their vital support to your community.

Some of you might be running for one of our fabulous charity partners, and some of you might not have a charity place but be raising money anyway, but regardless, any donations big or small help your fundraising pledge and support the vital work these charities do.

To help support you, we have rounded up some of our top fundraising tips below:

1. Add a profile picture to your fundraising page. A shot of you running, even if you do look like you’re hating your training, will have a great impact – up to a 14% increase in donations according to some studies!

2. Share your personal reasons for taking part in an event, as this can have a powerful effect on your followers who might feel compelled to donate.

3. Get to know the charity you’re supporting: When you’re passionate and knowledgeable about the charity, it comes across to your donors, making them more inclined to give.

4. Time your posts for maximum impact: Research shows that people are more likely to donate on Monday mornings. Plan your social media posts for Sunday evening or first thing Monday to take advantage of this peak donation time.

5. Check if your employer matches donations: Many companies offer matching gift programs that will double (or even triple) your donations. Ask your employer if they have a fundraising policy in place.

6. Set a fundraising goal and aim higher: Include a target on your page, and once you hit it, don’t hesitate to raise it. People tend to give more when there’s a clear target, and studies suggest fundraisers with a goal can raise up to 46% more. Be sure to share your milestones on social media to keep the momentum.

7. Reach out beyond social media: Not everyone in your circle may follow you on social media, so don’t forget to send personal emails to friends, family, and colleagues

8. Post a follow-up after your Half Marathon: Once you’ve crossed the finish line, update your supporters with how you did and share moments or photos from the event. This can encourage more donations, studies show that fundraising pages often see up to a 20% increase in contributions after a post-event update.

There you have it: easy fundraising tips to boost or kickstart your fundraising and inspire others as you go. Have fun out there and make every mile count!

Have you started your fundraising journey yet? If not, start today by setting up a JustGiving page below