26/08/2010

Regular giving vital to our life-saving work

Face to face fundraising is effective and the support we gain from it is like 'gold dust'.

The BBC's Newsnight has questioned the amount charities spend on third party organisations to knock on people's doors or speak to them in the street about becoming regular givers.

However, we stand by the fact that for every £1 we spend on fundraising, we generate at least £3 in return over a three year period.

Our Chief Executive, Peter Hollins, said: “Of all the people signed up through face to face fundraising, more than half will begin a long term relationship with us.

“As a result of their regular giving, we can look to the long term to support our important heart research and plan our grant research programme.

“We do not, as a matter of policy, use street collectors, or ‘chuggers’. However, we do use outside companies for other direct fundraising, such as door to door or telemarketing.

“We build up a really strong relationship with our supporters who come to the BHF through these outside companies. The initial investment pays off time and again and helps us to fight heart disease.

“The majority of BHF fundraising is carried out by our own staff but, over a three year period, every £1 we do spend on fundraising generates another £3 at least.”

All our official fundraisers wear branded T-shirts or jackets and have identification with them, which they are happy to share.