Fundraiser Profiles
Robyn Deckert
Occupation: Account Executive
Status: Team Captain - Quest for a Cause
Number of Members in Team: 20
Team Fundraising Total for 2008: $10,325
Why do you support MS Australia?
Like many, I know people with MS and how it has affected their lives and the lives of their loved ones. MS touches so many, including young adult lives. It's such a perplexing disease to the medical world with its cause and cure largely remaining elusive, and I was stunned to learn that MS diagnosis is on the increase with an average of five people being diagnosed every business day. I feel it is vital to give as much support as possible to this foundation for this disease which is relatively unknown amongst the broader community.
How did you go about reaching your team Fundraising goal in 2008?
We were late starters in getting together as a team with only 3 - 4 weeks to raise funds before the event. However, with such a large number of Quest franchisees throughout Australia, New Zealand and Fiji we had a major advantage and were able to get great support via e mailing to our franchisees as well as family and friends. We created the emails to be as attention grabbing as possible, explaining about the disease and then lightening up the emails with moving cartoon characters etc.
How easy and rewarding did your team find your fundraising?
With the user friendly MS website, I found that the fundraising became increasingly easier as time went along. This was partly because we copied many of the donator names and their comments onto the fundraising emails. This tended to build the momentum of colleagues and peers seeing who had donated, along with their comments and then wanting to join in.
It was very rewarding seeing the donations pop up on screen while working on the computer, with the donations fast approaching our target!
How did you go about organising a large corporate team?
They had no choice...I pestered them until they said yes!
Seriously, once everyone knew that this was to be a fun ride and not a race, they were keen to join in! More employees are already putting up their hand to join in on the 2009 event.
Do you have any tips for other fundraisers?
Emailing often, I found to be the biggest key to getting the funds in. Once donations start rolling in, putting the donors names along with their comments (didn't include the funds donated on email) onto the group emails, also helped. If colleagues and friends hadn't yet been onto the web site, then after seeing the email with all the various comments, they were enticed to log in and donate, making their own remarks.
How did your ride go on the day?
The day was organized so well. There were so many supporters along the way; we couldn't help but have fun!
Will you be back bigger and better in 2009?
Yes, we are very committed and keen to out do ourselves in raising funds for 2009!