Renowned children’s author Julia Donaldson launches new campaign, The Fun Raisers, with Save the Children

•  Julia Donaldson joins Save the Children to launch new fundraising campaign, The Fun Raisers as she reveals that she was once a young fundraiser for the charity  
• Compared to last year, Save the Children has seen an 80% increase in young fundraisers wanting to help children across the world  
• New research reveals that children are becoming more philanthropic, with31% of children becoming more charitable in response to COVID-19 and wider world conflicts 
• 79% of 7–14-year-olds wish they could do more to help their peers affected by serious problems or disasters 
• To find out more about The Fun Raisers and sign up to take part, please visit https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/funraisers 

Renowned children’s author Julia Donaldson is launching a new fundraising campaign for Save the Children UK, called, The Fun Raisers. The Fun Raisers aims to encourage children from all over the UK to use their creativity, enterprise, and kindness to raise money and smiles for their peers around the world. 

The Fun Raisers campaign has been inspired by Julia’s true childhood story of selling bluebells from her friend Mary’s garden to raise money for Save the Children, and unknowingly becoming the founding member of The Fun Raisers.  It is something she still remembers to this day whenever she sees bluebell woods, and this Summer she is keen to inspire a new generation of child fundraisers to get involved. 

Save the Children has seen community fundraising increase tenfold throughout the pandemic and the current Ukraine crisis. Overall, people fundraising for the charity is currently up by 229% compared to 2021 and there has been an 80% increase in young fundraisers wanting to help children across the world.  

Previous Fun Raisers* include nine-year-old Pearl who dressed up for weeks on end as different characters throughout the pandemic, raising over £8,000, Rowan and Evie, 13 and 11, who picked up the courage to shave their heads to raise over £3,000, and 12-year-old woodwork star Gabriel, who used his unique carving skills to raise over £260,000 to help vulnerable children. 

And these young caring children are not alone in their thinking, as new research commissioned by insights consultancy Beano Brain, found that almost four in five (79%)of 7–14-year old's wish they could do more to help their peers affected by serious problems or disasters. On average, children surveyed have given or raised money for a charity five times in the past two years, with a third (31%) of children becoming more charitable in response to COVID-19 and wider world conflicts.  

The study also revealed that nearly seven in ten (68%) children want to raise money to help make sure that children in the UK and around the world have food to eat, followed by ensuring children have a home to live in (65%) and that children can get medicine when they’re sick (63%).  

Julia Donaldson, author of award-winning books The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom said, “I’m delighted to be the founding member of ‘The Fun Raisers’ and hope to encourage children across the UK to use their talents and ideas to make a difference to children everywhere. I believe that The Fun Raisers could inspire those who enjoy making and doing things to be ever more creative. Whatever fundraising activity they choose - drawing, baking, performing or anything else - they will gain a great sense of achievement in the knowledge that they have helped to change a vulnerable child’s life.  

“When I was a little girl and I received a letter from Save the Children congratulating my friend and me for being so enterprising with our own fundraising (we were selling bluebells from the garden), we glowed with pride! I like the idea that my personal story might inspire a new generation of fundraisers and help less fortunate children around the world who might be affected by hunger, conflict, or climate change.” 

Lisa Aubrey, Head of Community Fundraising, at Save the Children UK said: “We are so grateful to have such amazing young fundraisers, full of creativity, courage and drive, to help support those impacted by hunger, conflict, climate change and the pandemic. The Fun Raisers, supported by Julia Donaldson, encourages children to use their imagination and passion, to help provide children across the world who need it the most with a better future. 

“Our ambition to make the world a better place for children simply couldn't happen without young people’s efforts. Over three-quarters (79%) of kids agreed that when they raise money for charity, they feel good knowing that they are helping people and making a difference. We hope that our new children’s fundraising campaign will inspire children to raise money in whatever way suits them best, whether it’s a sporting challenge or utilising their creative skillset, any small action can support Save the Children to help make sure children keep safe, healthy and learning across the world.” 

Helenor Gilmour, Director of Insight and Strategy at Beano Brain said: “At Beano Brain we have been reporting Gen Alpha’s “Cool to Be Kind” attitude for the last few years but it’s clear that their want to help more (79%) is translating into real action.  Since cheering us all through lockdown with those fabulous rainbows and whilst protecting their beloved grandparents, they’ve now shifted their attention to children like them, donating on average 5 times since 2020. 

It's abundantly clear that this activist generation are also prepared to walk the walk. If the trend continues, which we at Beano Brain are sure it will, it will be fascinating to see how they put their creative talents, imaginations, and resources to work to make a difference to the world they inherit.”  

As part of her support for the campaign, Julia Donaldson has written a one-off book sharing her story and experience of her childhood fundraising, which will be auctioned to raise funds for Save the Children.   

Julia Donaldson’s exclusive ‘Bunches of Bluebells’ book is available to bid on through Save the Children’s ‘Little Red Book’ silent auction. The auction, which has been organised by the charity’s Somerset Street & District branch, takes place on Sunday 12th June in Charlton Mackrell, Somerset, between 12.00 – 4.30pm.  

The event will see a selection of hand-written books and artistic contributions by celebrities including Judi Dench, Alan Titchmarsh and Dawn French. To attend the event or put in a virtual silent bid on any of the items, please contactd.shaw@savethechildren.org.uk