Getting Started

To enable MS Australia to continue supporting the increasing number of people living with MS we encourage each participant to fundraise a minimum of $200. We believe fundraising $200 is achievable and fun with our easy-to-use online system.

In 2010 over 40% of participants did not fundraise. Those who did achieved an impressive result of $892,142! Imagine what we could achieve if every participant actively fundraised in 2011.

Collect $20 from 10 mates and you have already reached your $200 to help support people living with MS. You can personally make a difference to the lives of people living with MS, their families and carers.

Help Us Fundraise $1.1 MILLION to help people with MS.

Never fundraised before? Contact us!

If you have never fundraised before and want to support people with MS and help fund research into finding a cure, please don't hesitate to call us. We are happy to help.

Call Karen Thackray on 1300 733 690 or email events@msaustralia.org.au anytime.

Before you get started, read about some of our fantastic individuals and team captains from the 2010 MS Walk and Fun Run to see how they fundraised to help people with MS.

Getting Started

Make the first donation

Make the first donation yourself. "Put your money where your mouth is" and show your sponsors that you believe in what you're doing. Remember that the first donation amount often sets the precedent for the donations that follow.

Have a plan to achieve your fundraising goal

Setting a plan to achieve your goal is the best way to ensure success. Look at your strengths and contacts
to work out the most efficient way to use your time to achieve a great result. More often than not you will surpass your goal just because you executed your fundraising plan and your sponsors noticed how passionate (and organised) you were. Often they will respond by exceeding your expectations.

Example: If you decided to set a goal of $4,000 you could plan to:

  • Run a trivia night for 100 people ($20 to enter, ask 10 people to organise a table each) - $2,000
  • Ask for online sponsorship from friends and co-workers (20 people x $50) - $1,000
  • Ask for matched funding ($4,000) or a company donation - $1,000

Read about MS and where your money goes

Educate yourself about multiple sclerosis and its devastating effects. It's also a great idea to read about the programs and services MS Australia offers to those with MS and how your personal fundraising will help us support approximately 20,000 Australians affected by the disease.

Promote your efforts

Let all of your contacts (family, friends and colleagues) know exactly what it is that you're taking part in: a challenging 8km run through North Sydney or walking Sydney Harbour foreshore with thousands of other participants as a 'Sea of Red' in support of people living with MS.

Completing the event itself is a huge achievement. But we need you to actively fundraise to enable MS Australia to provide the increasing level of care and support needed for all Australians living with this disease.

Great ways to promote your efforts are:

  • Send one email to your friends, family & work colleagues with a link to your webpage. You may be surprised by the amount of support you receive in such a short space of time.
  • Send an invite for people to sponsor you (or take part in the event) on Facebook or Twitter.
  • Place a message on your company Intranet, your sporting or community newsletter or ask if you can send a note out in your company's payslips sent to employees.
  • Put posters up around your workplace asking for support.
  • Insert your fundraising goal on your auto signature.

Enquire about matched funding

Asking your employer or workplace for matched funding or a company donation is a great way to potentially double your contribution instantly!

Many companies and organisations are more than willing to support their employees supporting a good cause by matching their fundraising efforts dollar-for-dollar, with a number of businesses also having specific budgets for making charitable donations. All you have to do is ask!

We will send your company a tax-deductible receipt, certificate, and letter of thanks to acknowledge their contribution. You could also offer to put your company's logo on your web page to show everyone who visits that they are supporting your fundraising efforts for this cause.

We can also supply any requested documentation you may need on behalf of MS Australia. Contact us to find out more about matched funding.