1: Find Your Trip/Challenge: Pick point A and Point B that you are going to run/swim/ride/paddle/handstand between. It doesn't need to be a record or the most scenic route ever, it needs to be something you want to do (sometimes making the start and finish line a common location can make the trip easier for your audience to understand and follow). Work out your trip logistics early (gear, support, weather etc.) so you can depend on your planning once you do go public. 2: Choose Your Charity Benefactor: You want to raise money but who are you going to give it to? Choose a local organisation to see the benefits unfold around you, an organisation close to your heart, or something random you support. (Being closely associated with your benefactor can be great motivation to push you through the hard moments in your challenge) 3: Set A Fundraising Goal: Make it realistic and realise the amount of time you'll need to commit to achieving it. Workout how much you roughly think you can get donated and then determine whether you would prefer to be a guaranteed success or try and encourage bigger donations with a bigger total. (Raising $400 when your goal was $200 or raising $400 when your goal was $1,000 is the same amount raised, but which sits better with you?) 4: Establish A Balance: Is this a fundraising trip or a trip that's also a fundraiser? Determine which is more important to see succeed, the trip or the fundraising goal. Think about changing your trip to generate more exposure to reach your goal, or think about lowering your fundraising goal if it's a trip that's going to be hard to promote. Work towards your priority. 5: Workout How People Are Going To Donate. There's no point having people who want to donate but can't. Set up a JustGiving, an Everyday Hero or a normal bank account (checkout your laws and restrictions, and what percentage of the funds will make it to the benefactor) If you are going old school for your event (collecting coins), print your trip name and logo out and put them on collection tins around town before the event to get extra exposure and funds before the event begins. 6: Make A Name and Logo: Marketing 101. Make something people can remember easily. A catchy name or a clever logo will also help bring in external attention. This is extra important if you are planning to utilize social media to promote your trip. 7: Involve Others: Getting others involved will boost the potential for the trip. A team of people dedicated people working will make every aspect easier and more successful. This does require you to share your idea, and for particularly personal challenges you may need question if you are willing to embrace company and hand over creative reigns to keep others passionate about helping. 8: Train: If people are donating to see you complete a challenge, make sure you are up to completing it! Injuries happen, but give yourself the best chance possible 9: Promote: Get your story out there! Use social media, use newspapers , use TV, use presentations at schools, use every and any opportunity! The more time you spend promoting the better your fundraising will be, although your initial choice of trip, charity and goal will make a big difference. (The local news team probably aren't going to rush down to cover your 300m walk to the shops to raise $20...) 10: Enjoy: Remember to enjoy your trip. It sounds ridiculous but don't get caught up in the fundraising once you begin. Most trips will bring a unique experience so embrace it and the time you spend while on your adventure. Take opportunities when they present themselves and remember they can also be great promotion for people following your trip. 11: Be Proud: At the end of the trip, regardless of whether you raised your goal or made it to the finish line, you made a commitment to challenge yourself and help someone else. You'll be stronger for the challenge and raising awareness can be just as important as raising money, so consider your trip a success either way!