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Duel over a feathered mule: swishing party tips

By Alix Miller
June 1, 2009 at 3:36 pm

Two of my friends nearly came to blows fighting over some bright orange, feathered mules the other night at my fundraising ‘swishing’ clothes swapping party. Who’d have thought a pair of shocking second-hand shoes could be so desirable.

Those of you who have read one of my earlier posts, will know that I had been planning my party to help raise funds for the Railway Children. Suitably inspired by our own Red Cross Appeal Week, I had big expectations for the event.

More than 45 female friends turned up at my tennis club for the party, with their unwanted clothes, shoes and accessories, and browsed the rails I had set up of other guests’ unwanted cast-offs.

The party was buzzing and most guests left with loads of goodies. Despite co-hosting the event with my Mum, who did a sterling job on the canapé-making front, I managed to pick up a silk evening dress, suede bag and wrap dress as well as offloading bags of my own clutter.

We also raised around £800 (before deductions for staff/wine) from the event. Here’s what I learnt (in case you’re thinking about organising a similar event):

  1. Charge for everything
    If I had charged even £1 or £2 for each item guests took away, we would have made even more money in addition to the entrance fee and designer rail of priced goods we displayed.
  2. Include a map for your event’s venue on the invite
    Oops! Forgot that one at my party.
  3. Publicise your cause at your fundraiser
    I found myself explaining what the Railway Children do and why I was fundraising for them numerous times during the evening. A poster at the venue explaining this would have been a good idea.

Have you held a successful fundraiser? I’d love to hear your tips for other money-spinning fundraising ideas.

Comments (11) »

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This entry was posted on Monday, June 1st, 2009 at 3:36 pm and is filed under Fundraising and events. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

  • Sarah

    Sorry I missed the swishing, let me know if you do another! So was the wrap dress you picked up the nice one Phil commented on the other day?!

  • Sarah

    Sorry I missed the swishing, let me know if you do another! So was the wrap dress you picked up the nice one Phil commented on the other day?!

  • Alix Miller

    Yes, of course! Quite a few people couldn’t make it and have said the same thing so maybe I’ll hold another one. No the wrap dress of the other day wasn’t from the swish (however 3 of my other favourite wrap dresses are from Oxfam!). The booty I picked up from the swish myself included: a suede Tanner Krolle bag, trousers i’m wearing today, 2 jigsaw cardis a silk oriental style evening dress, a cashmere jumper and loads more! it was well worth it if only to update my own wardrobe! hope to see you next time..

  • Alix Miller

    Yes, of course! Quite a few people couldn’t make it and have said the same thing so maybe I’ll hold another one. No the wrap dress of the other day wasn’t from the swish (however 3 of my other favourite wrap dresses are from Oxfam!). The booty I picked up from the swish myself included: a suede Tanner Krolle bag, trousers i’m wearing today, 2 jigsaw cardis a silk oriental style evening dress, a cashmere jumper and loads more! it was well worth it if only to update my own wardrobe! hope to see you next time..

  • http://www.promotionproducts.com.au/ Douglas Gregory

    Definitely great hints for the fund raiser, and even thought you stated already more awareness of the actual reasons would have been a better plan you can get much more into this aspect. Before the party, but also during the event with pictures, information, flyers and even hints for what people could do in the future to continue the fund raising effort or even awareness of the cause. This applies for many fund raising activities/events.

  • http://www.promotionproducts.com.au/ Douglas Gregory

    Definitely great hints for the fund raiser, and even thought you stated already more awareness of the actual reasons would have been a better plan you can get much more into this aspect. Before the party, but also during the event with pictures, information, flyers and even hints for what people could do in the future to continue the fund raising effort or even awareness of the cause. This applies for many fund raising activities/events.

  • Susy Curly

    that is all really good tips to know for fundraisers. thanks, but i also have one in mind that could probably help with the next event. Just having some music in the background, and maybe have someone selling some goodies too.

  • Susy Curly

    that is all really good tips to know for fundraisers. thanks, but i also have one in mind that could probably help with the next event. Just having some music in the background, and maybe have someone selling some goodies too.

  • Alix Miller

    thanks for the comments and sorry I only just noticed them! Good idea about the music. It’s something I planned on having but then the venue’s stereo was broken on the night. It was just as well though as the sound of cackling, giggling girlies was deafening!

  • Alix Miller

    thanks for the comments and sorry I only just noticed them! Good idea about the music. It’s something I planned on having but then the venue’s stereo was broken on the night. It was just as well though as the sound of cackling, giggling girlies was deafening!

  • lynda_1980

    Thank you for the Swishing tips! I am involved with a charity in Wicklow, Ireland and we have begun organising Swishing events, they are so much fun and such great value!

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Alix Miller

Alix Miller

Alix is senior writer, based in London. She writes and edits across print and online media

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The British Red Cross values comments both complimentary and critical. However, we will not tolerate the following: aggressive or personal criticism of the blogger, breach of copyright, obscene, defamatory, profane, sexually oriented, racially offensive or likewise objectionable comments.

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