Safe and legal fundraising
The law and your fundraising activities
Marie Curie is governed by charity law and company law. Your fundraising group must ensure that your activities comply with these laws. Some areas of legislation are complicated and differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland so speak to your Community Fundraiser if you have any questions.
On this page:
Health and safety
We want fundraising group members and supporters to have fun and enjoy themselves at your fundraising activities, so it’s important your group takes all the necessary precautions to make it safe for everyone.
A risk assessment process should be part of the planning for your activity and be sure to appoint a member to be responsible for carrying out all the health and safety checks.
In addition to the risk assessment, your group must take into consideration Marie Curie’s guidelines for:
- fire safety
- accidents, incidents and near misses
- first aid
- lifting and handling
- selling products
- using electrical equipment
- food hygiene and preparation
- driving safety
- personal safety and lone working
- managing crowds of people and traffic
- keeping money secure
Please note: an incident report should be completed for all incidents and 'near misses' during your event.
You'll find full guidelines and processes in chapter five of your Fundraising Groups Handbook.
Insurance: What is and is not covered
As part of Marie Curie’s insurance, local fundraising groups are covered in certain activities.
Marie Curie is insured against claims made by participants and volunteers for injury sustained while taking part in a fundraising event as a result of our negligence. This includes cover for all volunteers involved in a fundraising event which is being arranged by a fundraising group.
Fundraising groups have a duty to follow good risk management and comply with the established procedures described in the fundraising group handbook.
Please ask your Community Fundraiser for further guidance if you are unsure about what the insurance covers.
This insurance does not cover:
- Drivers: Fundraising group members are not covered by Marie Curie Cancer Care motor insurance and must complete a Driver’s Safety Declaration form.
- Personal possessions and events held in the home: Fundraising group members are not covered for personal possessions or property.
We recommend you have your own household and contents insurance and ask your insurers if you are covered during a home-based fundraising event.
Marie Curie policy summaries
Below are summaries of the charity’s policies in the Fundraising Groups handbook.
Equal opportunities/diversity
Marie Curie aims to demonstrate respect for all our employees and volunteers, valuing each individual’s contribution, regardless of their gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, gender re- assignment, disability, nationality, race, ethnic origin, religion or belief. The charity is committed to providing equal opportunities for all employees and volunteers.
Find out more about fundrasing groups roles and responsibilities
Involving young people
Anyone under the age of 18 must provide written consent from their guardian when volunteering.
Anyone under the age of 14 must be accompanied by their parent or guardian.
Only people aged 16 or over are permitted to directly collect or handle cash.
Find out more about fundrasing groups roles and responsibilities
Data protection
The law restricts the use of personal information held on living individuals. In general terms we cannot use a person’s personal data for any purpose, other than the purpose for which we obtained their details.
This means, for instance, that we cannot use the contact details of people giving us donations to notify them of a fundraising event without their prior permission.
Find out more about keeping your fundraising safe and legal and telling others about your activities.
Fraud
Any cases of suspected unauthorised or fraudulent fundraising should be reported to your Community Fundraiser at the earliest opportunity.
Similarly we have procedures and systems in place to prevent fraud among our staff and volunteers. Anybody who suspects fraud should contact their Community Fundraiser immediately.
Find out more about keeping your fundraising safe and legal
Health and Safety
Marie Curie is committed to ensuring high levels of health, safety and welfare of employees, volunteers, patients and others affected by our activities.
Marie Curie requires the support and co-operation of all employees and volunteers to achieve the objectives of this policy.
Find out more about keeping your fundraising safe and legal
Volunteer expense policy
Marie Curie is committed to enabling anyone regardless of their financial situation to volunteer with us. The policy forms part of charity’s commitment to equal opportunities.
Volunteers are encouraged to claim back any out of pocket expenses that they incur during the course of carrying out their volunteer duties.
Find out more about dealing with money