Fundraising
Our services are free for our clients, but as an independent local charity we rely on the support of local organisations and people like you to help us to make a difference.
We are lucky enough to have had two groups who regularly fundraise for us. The Stroud Citizens Advice PR and Fundraising Group cover the Stroud and District area and the Friends of Cotswold Citizens Advice fundraise and campaign in the Cotswold and District area.
However, due to changes in the ways fundraising is undertaken in the digital age, the Stroud Citizens Advice PR and Fundraising Group have decided to disband, although the members will still be involved with Citizens Advice and will continue to look after Standing Order donations to the Stroud area. Formed in 1998, the Group have worked tirelessly for Citizens Advice and it is estimated that over the last nearly 30 years they have raised in the region of half a million pounds for the organisation. The trustees, staff and volunteers would like to offer heartfelt thanks to everyone who has worked in this group.
Fundraising News
Cirencester Health and Wellbeing Fair
We were very pleased to meet the newly elected MP for South Cotswold, Roz Savage, at the Cirencester Health and Wellbeing Fair, held in Cirencester Market Place on 15th August 2024. Roz expressed support and encouragement for the work being done by Stroud and Cotswold District Citizens Advice.
A big thank you to everyone who helped out; it was a busy and interesting event with plenty of similar stalls around us and a number of people came to talk about what we do. We were also able to showcase our new teardrop banner, kindly donated by the Friends of Cotswold Citizens Advice.
Cirencester Choral Concert for CA
Choral Cirencester Choral Society’s Christmas Concert raised an amazing £500 for the Friends of Cotswold Citizens Advice!
The concert, which was held in aid of Citizens Advice Cotswold District jointly with The Churn Project, took place in Cirencester Parish Church on 19th December, and was very well attended. Outside it was a crisp, cold and moonlight evening and that helped capture the Christmas feeling. Inside, the church was beautifully lit and decorated ready for Christmas.
Everyone was treated to a wonderful evening of Christmas music and readings. We are very grateful to Cirencester Choral Society for choosing to sponsor our advice service.
Stroud Town Christmas Tree Festival
Stroud Citizens Advice PR and Fundraising Group
The closing of the Stroud Citizens Advice PR and Fundraising Group was celebrated with a lunch at the home of the Chairperson, Ann Horner. CEO Elizabeth Hall attended and expressed her gratitude to those present.
Fundraising News
Phoenix Festival 2024
Once again the Friends of Cotswold Citizens Advice had a stall at the Cirencester Phoenix Festival, held in the Abbey Grounds on 24-25th August. The first day was very wet, and not so well attended but it dried up for the Sunday and a good number of people came to the stand to browse the second hand books for sale, play the Climb the Wall game (fun for all ages, as we discovered) and find out more about the work of Citizens Advice. They also raised £271.20 towards the work of SCDCS.
Many thanks to everyone who helped, particularly those who put up and took down the tent.
Moreton in Marsh Fundraising
Many thanks to the volunteers from the Friends of Cotswold Citizens Advice who travelled to one of Stroud and Cotswold District’s furthest points, Morton in Marsh, to do some fundraising on May 21st 2024. It was a surprisingly chilly day, but they still managed to collect about £200 – well done to all involved. Equally importantly, they were able to advertise the fact that we now have an outreach centre in the Council Offices which is open on Wednesday and Thursday 10-3 (by appointment only). Photo shows volunteer Steve Brawley modelling one of the new fundraisers tabards.
Cirencester Advent Market
On Saturday 25th November staff, volunteers and The Friends of Cotswold Citizens Advice took part again in the annual Advent Market held in Cirencester’s beautiful Parish Church and the adjoining Market Place.
The weather was brilliantly sunny, cold and clear, and the market was very well attended. Our table was inside the church and we were entertained in there by several local choirs and musical acts. At the end of the day, in the Market Place, the street lights were turned on and fireworks let off from the top of the church tower while a bright moon shone down on us.
Our table, standing alongside displays from other local charities, was overflowing with books, information leaflets and Christmas Cards. The book display, once again expertly curated by Katerina, was very popular. Many of the books were kindly donated by a local branch of a well known bookseller. We even seem to have attracted some potential volunteer advisors, but the main aim was to show that our local advice service is an integral part of the community, and we felt right in the middle of it today.
Fundraising Ideas
Whether it’s
- through making a donation,
- organising your own event,
- helping run an event or street
collection, - choosing us as your organisation’s Charity of the Year
you can get involved and make a difference.
Who we help
Over the winter, there was a desperate need for funds to help people who had come to us with emergencies such as urgently needing energy top ups, help with travel. Both Stroud Citizens Advice Fundraising Group and Friends of Cotswold Citizens Advice donated £250 each to the fund to help families and individuals in need.