Fundraising Profile Karen Oneill

Q1: What have you been doing to fundraise?

I have been talking to and encouraging friends, family and work colleagues to get behind me and support me to achieve my fundraising target and beyond. Emails and Facebook has been really helpful in getting the word out about what I am working towards. My birthday was a good opportunity to get people together and do a fundraising auction. To motivate my friends to give me funds before my birthday I said the highest donation before my birthday gets to pick what I wear to my birthday.

A fundraising auction works as follows:

How to raise $800 via a birthday Auction

1. I asked my friends to come to my birthday and bring along something they no longer wanted that was new or near new.
2. I then auctioned off the items they brought at my birthday.
3. People then donated the amount they bid onto my fundraising page.
4. I had one person take down the name, email and $ bid amount.
5. I emailed all the people my fundraising page and what they bid on the night.

People brought along things like a set of kitchen knives, candles, a dress, a lamp stand etc. The highest item sold for $90 which was a set of kitchen knives.

Q2: How have you found peoples interest in what you are doing?

I have been very surprised at people’s willingness to give. Also, very surprised how a few items in an auction lead to raising $800!! Blew me away.

Q4: How is your training coming along?

I have always enjoyed keeping fit and active. Training has been enjoyable and picking up as the ride is fast approaching.

Q5: What has kept you motivated to raise so much money?

The strongest motivation to raise money is the knowledge that there is a community who will be positively impacted by the money we are able to raise as a group of riders. It’s an amazing experience to be a part of.