Health and safety issues

Things to think about:

  • Permission from the council or landowner to use a public place.
  • Informing the local police or highways office about your event.
  • Public liability insurance.
  • Ensuring the availability of basic first aid.
  • Double-checking where the fire exits and the assembly points are.
  • Carrying out a risk assessment before your event.

Street collection guidelines and regulations

Can I do a collection for UNICEF UK?

Collections can be a fun way to raise funds and awareness for UNICEF UK. We would be delighted to send you a collection tin or bucket so you can include this in your fundraising plan. Here are some useful guidelines for you to consider:

Collections

  • For collecting on the street, you will need a licence from your local authority.
  • For collecting outside a supermarket store, you will need permission from the manager.
  • For collecting on private property you will need permission from the land owner.
  • Allow plenty of time to organise the collection as it can take a month or even a few months to secure a suitable date especially if there is a high demand from other fundraisers.
  • Choose a popular location or a busy time to do your collection to ensure you maximise your fundraising opportunity.
  • Get other volunteers such as family and friends to help (you will need to check as above for permission).

Displaying a collection tin

  • If you want to put a collecting tin in a local shop or business, seek permission from the business owner and tell them where to send the money, or agree with them when you will come back to empty it.
  • Only closed collection tins may be used so please ensure these are sealed at all times with the sticker we provide.

How do I order my collection tin/bucket?

Once you have permission to go ahead with your collection or display a collection tin, please get in touch with us by completing an events form so that we have the full details of your collection. If you are organising a collection, you must state clearly where it will take place and when. Please return the form to fundraisinghelp@unicef.org.uk or post it to:

Fundraising Initiatives Team
UNICEF UK
30a Great Sutton St
London
EC1V 0DU

Letter of Authority

When we issue you with a collection tin, we will also provide you with a letter of authority from UNICEF showing that we are aware of your fundraising and support it. Please note that this letter does not constitute official permission for any fundraising activities and any permits/licences from relevant authorities must be obtained by you.

Returning your collection tin

If at any point you no longer wish to collect for UNICEF, we ask that you return the tin to us. We also chase the tins approximately four times a year so when you receive a chaser letter from us. Do let us know that you are happy to continue fundraising and keep the tin for the time being otherwise, please return it to:

UNICEF UK
2 Kingfisher House
Woodbrook Crescent
Radford Way
Billericay CM12 0EQ

Raffle guidelines

  • Hold the raffle on the day of the event.
  • Any prizes purchased can’t be more valuable than £250 (donated prizes can be of unlimited value).
  • Sell all tickets on the same premises and on the same day as the raffle is drawn.
  • Tickets must all be sold for the same price with no discounts (such as five tickets for the price of four).
  • Alcoholic prizes can only be used if the event is being held on licensed premises.

Insurance

UNICEF provides public liability insurance for some fundraising events. However, if you are planning something with an element of risk such as firework displays, sponsored sporting events, contact sports, bouncy castles or rides of any sort you must let us know so we can check if you are covered.

For more information about legal guidelines you can read the Institute of Fundraising's codes of fundraising practice or feel free to email or call UNICEF’s Helpdesk for more information on 0844 801 2414.