Legal information

Charity fundraising is tightly regulated to prevent unscrupulous practices. So before you jump into that bath full of baked beans or take your collection tins to the supermarket, check this page carefully. And make sure you comply with the law.

Getting sponsored for events

Always make sure you:

  • use official sponsorship forms with our registered charity number on them.
  • get the sponsorship money to us within a few weeks. Because legally we must bank the money raised within 28 days of the event. Make cheques payable to RMHC

Charity collections and the law

These rules apply to

  • cash collections
  • selling items such as pins
  • asking for donations in return for a service, eg windscreen washing


1. Make someone responsible for managing the collection. Their job is to ensure you follow the law and bank the money. They need to brief your collection team on the date, time and precise location of the RMHC collection.
2. Everyone collecting money on RMHC’s behalf must be over 18 years old and wearing an identity badge.
3. Get permission first if you are collecting in a public place. Street collections need permission from the local council. Collections on railway concourses need the agreement of the station manager.
4. Be polite. Fundraisers must not cause a public nuisance or obstruction.
5. You must use sealed containers bearing the RMHC charity name and number. You can only use RMHC collection boxes to raise money for us.
6. Keep cash secure. Consider the security of the fundraisers, the public and when handling cash.
7. Count the cash with a witness. After the fundraiser make sure you have a witness with you when you are opening the collection tins and counting cash. See more on the Institute of Fundraising website http://www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk.

Raffle rules

We don’t have a lottery licence. So if you intend to run a raffle, lottery or similar event, you’ll need to apply for a licence yourself. Remember that processing your application could take the local council a few weeks so you need to plan ahead.

1. Ask the town council for a Lotteries and Amusements application form.
2. Return the completed form with a sample ticket and the fee – normally about £35.
3. Once you’ve got confirmation back with your lottery registration number, you can start selling tickets.

Tips on running the raffle:

  • only charge up to £1 per raffle ticket
  • don’t discount tickets, eg ‘5 for the price of 4’
  • all prizes must be worth under £25,000
  • only spend up to 55% of the money raised on prizes
  • never offer alcohol as a prize

If you raise up to £20,000

  • up to 35% of the proceeds can go towards expenses
  • only sell tickets on the street to people aged 16 and over
  • all ticket sellers must be 16 or over
  • complete a returns form and send it to the licensing authority within three months

For more tips on running raffles see the Institute of Fundraising website or ask your local authority http://www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk.