fundraising

Mum and daughter conquer Sheffield 10K to tackle educational inequalities

The streets of Sheffield witnessed a heartwarming display of determination as Action Tutoring’s Sheffield programme coordinator, Rachel, and her mum, Mary, took on the Sheffield 10K run to raise funds to support disadvantaged pupils.

The Sheffield 10K saw thousands of runners enjoying South Yorkshire’s famous Steel City, with the route taking runners out of the city and into the surrounding areas before returning to the city centre for the finish.

Weathering a storm

The wet and windy weather didn’t stop the mother-daughter pair from braving through the storm to cross the finish line. They endured the weather with a shared goal in mind – to make a difference in the lives of children and young people facing disadvantage in schools.

Generous donors

The pair were spurred on by their supportive friends and family through the run and fundraising efforts. They raised £394 plus £92.50 in Gift Aid. Rachel shared how they were touched by the generosity of donors and well-wishers, especially tutors who already give their time to volunteer for Action Tutoring.

“The kind words, lovely messages, and donations from tutors who already do so much for Action Tutoring were particularly heartwarming.”

Rachel

Go for it! 

Despite the daunting physical and mental hurdles of the run, Rachel and Mary completed it in high spirits, embodying perseverance and commitment to the cause. 

Rachel’s advice for future fundraisers contemplating a similar challenge is simple.

“Go for it! If you are new to running or have never entered a running event before, they’re a brilliant way to motivate yourself.”

Rachel

Rachel also advised that running with a friend or listening to a podcast or music serves as an effective distraction during the tougher moments in training for the race.

“We are so proud of Rachel and Mary for tackling the Sheffield 10K to support disadvantaged children and young people. You’re both amazing advocates for Action Tutoring and have championed our mission in a triumphant way. With your help, we can tackle education inequality head-on. Thank you!“

Head of Philanthropy, Hannah O’Neill

Do you want to get involved in a fundraising challenge for us? We’re currently looking for fundraisers to fill our charity spaces on the Hackney Half 2024 and the RideLondon-Essex 60 2024. Please complete the form in link below or contact our Fundraising Coordinator, Molly: molly.cottrill@actiontutoring.org.uk.

Donate to our Big Give Christmas Challenge this Giving Tuesday

In 2012, in the heart of New York City, the seeds of Giving Tuesday were sown with a vision to inspire a wave of radical generosity and celebrate the act of giving. Since then, it has grown into a global movement, motivating millions to contribute their time and resources to charities and communities in need.

Each year, on November 28th, following the Thanksgiving festivities and the shopping frenzy of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday is commemorated with the hope that the spirit of giving will capture the attention of people who’ve just enjoyed a shopping spree, encouraging them to donate and volunteer.

Giving Tuesday marks the start of The Big Give Christmas Challenge 2023, which will run for one week until the 5th of December. Action Tutoring is taking part in the challenge for the fourth time, with our biggest target yet!

Our Big Give Christmas Challenge 2023

The Big Give Christmas Challenge is the UK’s largest match-funding campaign. A match-funded campaign consists of a “match-fund” pot that is used to double online donations made during campaign week. This means that one donation has twice the impact! 

Our target this year is bigger than ever – £6,000. From 28th November – 5th December, any amount we raise will be doubled from our pledge fund, generously added to by our pledgers and champion funders, the Scouloudi Foundation.

The raised amount will go towards vital programme delivery, providing pupils with high-quality workbooks and noise-cancelling headphones, and tutors with enhanced DBS checks.

#YouInspiredMe: The power of educators

Our 2023 Big Give Christmas Challenge is on the theme #YouInspiredMe, spotlighting the remarkable influence of teachers and tutors on the lives of young individuals and the enduring impact of their efforts well into adulthood. We want to thank these exceptional educators whilst recognising the importance of education during this festive time of giving.

We firmly believe that everyone possesses something unique to give, whether it’s their skills, knowledge, money, time, or simply their voice to champion a cause close to their heart.

The recent challenges with giving against the growing need

We all recognise that the past year has brought its own set of challenges. A global pandemic, rising inflation, and the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza have all put a strain on people’s capacity to give. According to the CAF’s 2023 UK Giving Report, giving has still not recovered to pre-pandemic levels and the cost-of-living crisis has led a quarter of people to alter their charitable behaviours or are planning on doing so. 

Volunteering levels have also declined, with 1.6 million fewer volunteers than five years ago.

Despite these challenges, our pupils need support more than ever. The academic attainment gap is at its widest in a decade and the demand for tutoring in schools continues to rise. We cannot stand idly by as disadvantaged children struggle to meet expected performance standards and face limited opportunities for future careers.

Your contribution, no matter how big or small, can make a lasting impact. This Giving Tuesday and for the Big Give Christmas Challenge, support us to ensure more children receive necessary academic support.

How to give and support our work

Donate to our Big Give Christmas Challenge on our campaign page from November 28th to December 5th. Don’t forget that your donation will be doubled! One donation equals twice the impact.

Volunteer as a tutor – You can tutor students in English or maths at primary or secondary levels, either online or in-person, dedicating just one hour per week.

If you’re unable to give your time or make a donation, you can still support our cause by spreading the word. Share this blog with friends, family, and on your social media platforms, using our hashtag #YouInspiredMe

As we celebrate Giving Tuesday, let’s continue to support the causes close to our hearts. Kindness and acts of generosity are essential to empowering children and young people to unlock their academic potential. Together, we can make a difference and inspire change.

Could you make your gift go further? #TickTheBox

Could you help us make £1.25 out of £1 by ticking the box for Gift Aid?

Gift Aid is one of the simplest and most effective ways of giving to charity. When a UK taxpayer makes a donation to a charity, that charity is eligible to receive an additional 25% of the donated amount. 

The arrangement serves as a tax relief mechanism benefiting charities in the UK, ultimately boosting contributions without any additional cost to the donor.

What is Gift Aid awareness day?

5th of October each year is Gift Aid Awareness Day. This is an initiative run by the Charity Finance Group to raise awareness of the importance of Gift Aid.

Why you should #TickTheBox

Action Tutoring is registered for Gift Aid, allowing us to claim an extra 25% on every donation from His Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC). But this is only possible when donors tick the Gift Aid box. 

If you are eligible for Gift Aid and can tick the box, your donation could go even further. Gift Aid can add up to substantial amounts and really makes a difference at Action Tutoring and to the lives of the young people we support.

“When you #TickTheBox, we get an extra 25% donation at absolutely no cost to the donor. If you do pay tax, it’s such an easy way to support your charity of choice without any extra effort. It helps us to do more of the great things we already do! I always #TickTheBox when I donate to any cause I care about. As a fundraiser, I know what a difference it makes to charities,”

Hannah O’Neill, Head of Philanthropy at Action Tutoring

Donating to Action Tutoring with JustGiving

You can donate to Action Tutoring through JustGiving. After you have entered your donation amount and confirmed that the donation is your own money, you will be asked to add Gift Aid and tick the box.

Donating to Action Tutoring by bank transfer

If you are donating via bank transfer, or have a direct debit with us and would like to add Gift Aid, it’s really simple.

Just reach out to our Fundraising Coordinator, Molly, on molly.cottrill@actiontutoring.org.uk, to ask for a Gift Aid Declaration form, which only takes a couple of minutes to fill out.

Thank you for your donations and support

Your support for Action Tutoring is invaluable and we couldn’t provide our vital tutoring service without you. Gift Aid can make your support go further, allowing us to help more disadvantaged young people to reach their academic potential.

“We use the extra donations to support our pupils even further. Donations and Gift Aid help us provide more pupils with workbooks, headphones and access to our online classroom, with every high-quality tutoring session moving them closer to success in key exams,”

Hannah O’Neill, Head of Philanthropy at Action Tutoring

If you cannot add Gift Aid, your donation still creates a lasting impact, and we value every contribution you can make.

Please refer to this link for more government guidance on Gift Aid eligibility and conditions.

Action Tutoring wins £1,000 Movement for Good Award

Action Tutoring has been selected to receive a £1,000 donation as part of Benefact Group’s Movement for Good Awards. This gesture was made possible by nominations from the public, showcasing the widespread recognition and support for the education charity’s valuable work.

Now in its fifth year, Benefact Group’s Movement for Good Awards aims to contribute over £1 million to various charities. Action Tutoring’s selection highlights its commitment to empowering young learners and making a positive impact on their education and life chances.

Expressing gratitude for this recognition, Head of Philanthropy at Action Tutoring, Hannah O’Neill said,

“We are immensely grateful to everyone who nominated us for the Movement for Good Award. It is heart-warming to see the public’s belief in our mission and our positive impact. This award is a recognition of the dedication of our team, volunteers, and supporters who work tirelessly to improve outcomes for disadvantaged young people.”

The funds will be directed toward providing additional workbooks and training more volunteer tutors to support young people in maths and English. The donation translates into the equivalence of purchasing 166 workbooks or training over 300 tutors online.

Mark Hews, Group Chief Executive at Benefact Group, said:

“We would like to thank every single person who took the time to nominate a good cause as part of our Movement for Good Awards. We know that £1,000 can make a huge difference to the incredible work that charities do and we’re looking forward to seeing how this financial boost will change lives for the better.”

With the continued funding and support from organisations like the Benefact Group, Action Tutoring can continue making a significant difference in the lives of disadvantaged young people, fostering a brighter future for generations.

Action Tutoring provides tailored maths and English tuition to pupils facing disadvantage in Years 5, 6, 7, 10, and 11 to pass their SATs and GCSEs. Trained volunteers tutor pupils through weekly one-hour sessions, online or face-to-face in partner schools.

Going the extra mile: Employees run for a cause

In a remarkable display of spirit, three extraordinary employees of Action Tutoring stepped up to the challenge to run for fundraising. Going beyond their day-to-day roles at our charity, Rachel, Beth, and Georgia embarked on sponsored runs, pushing their physical limits to raise funds to support tutoring disadvantaged young people. 

Let’s dive into their inspiring stories to find out what fuelled their motivations to conquer the challenge.

Conquering the Great Bristol Run

Rachel Roberts, our Bristol and Sussex Programme Manager, fearlessly tackled the renowned 2023 Great Bristol Run. With perfect weather conditions and an atmosphere charged with excitement, Rachel soared through the course, leaving her challenges in the dust.

“The running conditions were perfect, the weather was warm and windless, and the atmosphere was fantastic.”

Rachel

After the intense physical effort and fundraising effort of £165 which increases to £201 with Gift Aid, Rachel deservedly relaxed under the sun, sharing a well-earned celebratory drink with friends.

Reflecting on her experience, Rachel’s key piece of advice for future fundraisers undertaking a similar journey, is to make sure you tell your friends and family your estimated running time.

“Tell your spectators your estimated running time or they may miss you on the route.”

Rachel

Thriving in the heat of the Great Manchester Run

For Beth Carlow, the scorching heat on the day of the Great Manchester Run didn’t deter her from embracing the challenge. Our training and quality coordinator plunged into the race with an unwavering spirit. Live music, enthusiastic crowds, and bustling streets added an extra layer of excitement to the thrilling event.

The heat presented an additional physical hurdle for Beth.

“The toughest part was running in the heat, especially having completed most of the training in the more typical Manchester conditions of grey skies and drizzle.”

Beth

She proudly wore her hard-earned medal throughout the day, showcasing her achievement to the world. For those contemplating a similar challenge, Beth emphasized that participating in a race for charity is not only a fantastic way to raise funds for Action Tutoring but also serves as a powerful motivator during training and on race day. Beth raised £360 plus £56 through Gift Aid.

Trailblazing at the Wimbledon Common Half Marathon

Away from the loud cheers of other races, Georgia Pearson, the London Programme Coordinator embarked on the Wimbledon Common Half Marathon. With each stride,  Georgia relished the breathtaking experience of running amidst picturesque trails rather than the usual humdrum of city roads. 

Georgia said she found solace and strength in the run-through trails, a welcome distraction during challenging moments of the run.

“I really enjoyed the challenge of running a half-marathon and the fact that it was on trails rather than road running because it meant I could focus on the lovely surroundings when it got tough!”

Georgia

Beyond running along the scenic route, another highlight for Georgia was spotting The Wombles!

With the race behind her, Georgia was thrilled to witness the donations pouring in amounting to £625 plus £136 through Gift Aid – knowing that every contribution would support Action Tutoring’s impactful work.

“It was great to see the donations rolling in after I had completed the race and know that the money will support Action Tutoring’s work. It has definitely inspired me to take on bigger and more difficult challenges in the future”

Georgia

For aspiring runners, take note of Georgia’s advice: Just go for it and you won’t regret it.

Get involved to make a difference

Feeling inspired by the extraordinary achievements of Rachel, Beth, and Georgia?

Visit our fundraising page to learn more about how you can lace up your running shoes, take on a sponsored run to harness the power of your strides and become a hero for those in need.

Be a part of our mission to transform lives in many other ways – volunteer for an hour a week to support children, donate to our work or advocate to contribute to a brighter future for disadvantaged young people. 

Together, we can cross the finish line of opportunity and build brighter futures for every child.

Volunteers take on Hackney Half Marathon to raise funds

The six runners raced for 13 miles at Hackney Half to raise over £2700 to support tutoring

The atmosphere at Hackney Marshes, the start and end point for the Hackney Half Marathon, was electrifying. Throngs of supporters had lined up the streets of the 13.1 mile course.

From shaking tambourines and blowing loud whistles to chanting runners’ names, motivation from the hundreds of thousands of cheering crowds was on full display.

A field of 24,000 runners who signed up for the half marathon were ready to push their minds and bodies to the finish line. Among the runners were six volunteers – Sam, Rhea, Tom, Luke, August, and James – taking on the challenge to raise funds in support of Action Tutoring’s mission.

The run started from the Hackney Marshes, through some of East London’s creative and popular spots including Broadway Market, Hackney Empire, Hackney Wick and Victoria Park.

Ramon, a finance administrator at Action Tutoring, was one of supporters cheering the runners on, alongside their family and friends at the finish line.

It had a festival-like atmosphere with music playing, buzzing energy and a great community spirit to encourage runners to push through to the very end.

Ramon

Physical toll

Running for 13.1 miles, an equivalent of 21 kilometres, is no mean feat and presents a massive challenge to the body. It exerts a physical toll that Tom, one of our brilliant volunteer runners, found out quite early-on in the race.

I had sort of shin splints and knee problems throughout the entire race, but I just had to dig deep. I kept it going, one foot in front of the other.

Tom

For Tom, the core takeaway from this challenge is doing something amazing in the name of charity, regardless of time or speed.

It’s about having a good time, but it’s also about finishing the race and being part of the whole event and not pushing yourself too hard.

Tom

Our volunteer runner, Rhea, also found the race painful but the reward was soothing.

It was so painful for a lot of it. But the whole time, it was amazing mentally yet physically terrifying.

Rhea

Staying motivated

To take on a big challenge like this, you need motivation to keep you going from mile to mile, or even at tougher points, step to step.

Our runners said the big motivators for them included the support from friends and family was a big motivator, people who donated to their fundraising pages and fans who cheered them on as they ran.

I saw people that shouted “Action Tutoring”, and that they have a brother and sister who has been tutored by the charity’s volunteers.

James

Eye on the prize

Another big motivation for the six runners through the thick and thin of the half marathon was the cause. Keeping in mind the altruistic reason they had taken on the huge challenge in the first place as the ultimate prize saw them through the race.

All funds raised will help increase access to tutoring for pupils from low-income families across the country. All our runners have previously or currently volunteered on our programmes. Action Tutoring works with volunteers to provide academic support in maths and English to primary and secondary pupils facing disadvantage.

While running, Rhea remained steadfast by thinking of the work and impact of Action Tutoring. 

I’ve signed up for a half marathon before and not followed through with it and then this opportunity came up with Action Tutoring and I just thought that’s an amazing cause to be running for and that I’d love to push myself to be doing something more for them.

Rhea

She urged people wishing to take on a challenge for a cause such as this to definitely go for it, as the pride in personal achievement and charity is worth it.

Definitely do it! Even though I know I just described it as very painful, that is going to be something I can look back on and be really proud of.

Rhea

Planting important seeds

Tom said he felt inspired by his fulfilling tutoring experience and decided to take his support one step further by taking on this challenge.

I’ve been a tutor for over seven months now and I’ve seen the great work that Action Tutoring does. This was just a different avenue that I could the help the charity reach more disadvantaged children and hopefully spread awareness about their work.

Tom

James also shared that the charity’s cause was close to his heart, elaborating why raising awareness for Action Tutoring was important to him.

I know people who have learning challenges or haven’t had the best upbringing or families that don’t necessarily understand the importance of education. I know the value of tutoring. For people to give up their time to help young people, they’re planting seeds – important seeds.

James

Fundraising success

Our runners not only worked hard at the race, but with their fundraising efforts. A staggering total of £2705 was raised collectively, smashing the original group target of £1800, or £300 per runner.

The raised amount translates into purchasing over 450 workbooks for face-to-face tutoring or 108 headphones for online delivery.

We are so proud of our runners for taking on this incredible physical feat whilst fundraising for Action Tutoring. Thank you to all the runners and all those who donated and supported each runner’s fundraiser. We can’t do our vital work without your support and advocacy.

Hannah O’Neill, Head of Philanthropy at Action Tutoring

With the raised funds and visibility from the Hackney Half Marathon, Action Tutoring will continue to work tirelessly to inspire disadvantaged young people and help them unlock their academic potential.

Championing for the future of children today

Exactly 11 years ago, Action Tutoring piloted its first tutoring programme supporting 20 pupils in two secondary schools in Peckham, London. The goal was to provide tutoring to disadvantaged children who couldn’t afford the cost of private provision. 

The positive feedback from pupils and volunteer tutors on the preliminary programme spurred the charity to scale up the tutoring model in state schools across the country. Fast forward to this academic year, we’ve supported over 26,000 pupils with the help of over 9,000 committed, high-quality volunteer tutors from a fascinating range of backgrounds.

As well as  replicating our tutoring model in several regions across England, we’ve continued to increase our reach within London.

What is the Champions for Children campaign?

It’s a fundraising initiative launched in 2020 in response to the devastating effects of COVID-19 lockdowns on vulnerable children. Since then, the Champions for Children has continued to raise funds to support children across four key priority areas: Physical Health, Mental Wellbeing, Home & Community Environment and, Learning & Work Readiness 

We’ve ran match-funding campaigns before, but this is our first year taking part in this fantastic campaign run by The Childhood Trust, in collaboration with The Big Give. 

The Childhood Trust’s research shows that as much as 35% of London’s children live in poverty. With your support, we can help tackle this problem and reduce the effects of poverty on vulnerable young people. 

Starting from 6th June, until 20^th  of June, we are aiming to raise £4,000 in donations  to fight education inequalities in London. To further the impact, this £4,000 will be match-funded, raising our total target to £8,000. That means one donation = double the impact!

All funds raised will support our brilliant pupils t in London, as we want to celebrate where Action Tutoring started whilst combating education inequalities in the capital.

What is a match-funded campaign?

Match funding does what it says on the tin! Donations from you are matched from the pot to double the fundraised income. So, for every £1 you donate, £1 is added  from our match fund. This pot has been kindly built up by generous pledgers and The Childhood Trust.

What will my donation be going towards?

Your donation will contribute towards workbooks for face-to-face sessions and headphones for online sessions so pupils can benefit from high-quality tutoring.

Some of the funds will also  provide DBS checks for tutors volunteering with us in London, which is vital for safeguarding.

The minimum donation amount is £1 and the maximum is £25,000, so you are free to give an amount that suits you best.

How can I get involved?

We encourage you to get involved with the campaign in as many ways as possible! You can:

• Donate here
• Share, comment, and like related posts on our Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram pages
• Tell your friends and family (and anyone that’ll listen!)

With your help and donations, we will be better placed to provide support for pupils facing disadvantage in London and take several steps closer to levelling the playing field in education.

Chancerygate takes on Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge to raise £30k for Action Tutoring

When Chancerygate was brainstorming on activities to help raise funds for Action Tutoring, finding a pursuit that played to the strength of the workforce was fundamental.

Making the final choice between a charity ball or a fitness adventure was hard, but Amanda believes the ultimate decision to negotiate the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge was the right one as half the workforce expressed interest after the announcement.

We have quite a strong and fit workforce. We thought an adventure would be better and will help with team-building. Plus with changing Covid-19 guidelines, having a huge gathering came with a risk. We went with the challenge

Amanda Walker, head of corporate social responsibility at Chancerygate – the UK’s largest multi-unit urban logistics developer and asset manager.

The Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge is a circular walk that encompasses three major hills – Pen-Y-Ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough – in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It is a 24-mile round trip route and includes 5,200ft of ascent.

A total of 24 daring employees took part in the conquest and 18 successfully completed the course in under 10 hours.

It can get quite emotional, the walk pushes your limits. The first peak went really well but it became more difficult towards the end. However, doing it as a team made it easier, and as a way to raise money for Action Tutoring to support more disadvantaged children was a motivating factor.

Ada Ioannidis-Mann, marketing manager of Chancerygate, who took part in the challenge

Chancerygate raised a total of £30,000 from its employees and network including business partners and suppliers, who donated towards supporting the cause. The donation could cater for a full academic year’s worth of tutoring for 77 pupils or purchase 5,000 workbooks that will benefit thousands of pupils.

Additionally, some Chancerygate employees volunteer weekly as subject tutors on Action Tutoring programmes in schools.

Susannah Hardyman, founder and CEO of Action Tutoring, said the donation will help expand tutoring access to more young people facing disadvantage.

The funds will enable us to support more children who are facing disadvantage with additional help to make meaningful academic progress. This will, in turn, help increase their life chances and open more doors to future opportunities in education and employment.

Susannah Hardyman

On what lessons she learned from the Yorkshire Three Peaks adventure, Ada said beyond investing in good hiking boots, staying positive and motivating each other is a sure way to conquer the hills. “Be positive and don’t leave anyone behind as you do it. Be a team player.”

Amanda urges businesses to support the inclusion of more people from diverse backgrounds by partnering with like-minded charities to benefit society as a whole.

Through volunteering and fundraising, every business can make a difference in young lives.

Donate or raise funds for our mission to give more disadvantaged pupils the additional academic support they need to get a pass grade to progress into further education or employment.