Holly Dougan is a 26-year-old student pursuing a Master's degree while working full-time and fundraising for Childreach International. She attended an introductory session for Childreach in November 2014 and signed up for a trek along the Great Wall of China. Holly began fundraising through various events like cake sales, auctions, and a vintage stall. Her biggest event was a Willy Wonka-themed quiz night that raised over £350. Holly has fundraised over £1300 total and her application to Santander for matching funds is in its final stages. Volunteering with Childreach International has helped Holly grow both personally and professionally as she juggles school, work, fundraising, and gaining work experience
1. Volunteering,
Study & Work
My Mega Year of
Personal Growth
Holly Dougan –
MsC Business Management with HRM
University of Chester
2014-2015
2. About Me:
I am a 26 year old local girl who has returned
to University to complete a self-funded
Masters Degree in order to further my career
aspirations
I work full time alongside my study helping
Manage the family run antiques and interior
design business including weekends
During November 2014 I attended an
introductory session for Childreach
International and signed up to the 2014-15
Great Wall of China Trek
3. Meeting Childreach International
My application and administration was
completed at the end of November 2014
My Fundraising started the same week
I brought a Friend/Colleague along to the
meeting and Nicola also signed up to the
Trek
We started planning our major event
together the very next week
4. So the Fundraising Began…
Vintage
Themed Sweet
& Doughnut
Stall in Binks
Reception
December
2014
6. Work &
Business Support
The Family Business
over the seasonal
period provided
competitions and
donation sales to
support my
fundraising efforts and
maintain a regular
collection pot where
customers have been
very generous
Throughout November & December I had six constant weeks
of exams and assignments leading up until Christmas but that
did not dampen the fundraising fire…..
7. Something a bit different….
Contacting a network contact who runs a
local Antiques Fair was an exciting success as
she kindly found space within the Christmas
Fair allowing me to have a free table
Myself, customers, friends, family and the
family business donated items for the table so
all proceeds were added to the fundraising
total
The Christmas Fair was such a success I was
invited back twice for free to have further
fundraising tables and raise awareness of the
charity at the event
9. During January 2015 I began to list items on eBay using
their charity donation option
This allowed sales to be completed with 100% charity
donations made to Childreach International
Listed correctly it also allowed me to avoid listing and
sellers fees
I then made contact with the charity once PayPal
transferred the money for it to be added to my
fundraising total
And all the while the cake sales continued…..
10. The Big Event – Willy Wonka Themed
Quiz Night
(Not a smooth running event!)
The fun of event management:
• Planning began in November
2014 ready for our event in
March
• Our original date was double
booked and changed within
weeks of the event
• Our main feature for the event
proved too costly and our
funding was denied after
several meetings and
amendments
11. The Original Plan
A sweet themed child's party with the film
playing in the background
A blow up bungee run with prizes and
competitions
Tuck shop, tombola, raffle and themed
drinks
So onto Plan B…… The Willy Wonka Quiz
Night!
12. The Student Union helped change our date to a Sunday
night where normally they would hold a quiz and the
quiz planning began!
A themed cocktail was negotiated with the bar for a
donation to our event and we arranged for a balloon
arch to be made which we stuck oompa-loompa
heads too
On the night two 6ft pasting tables were set up and we
brought along a huge tombola, raffle and home made
cake stall
Prizes for the winning teams were 1st Prize paintballing
for 10 people with 20 paints each, 2nd Prize a huge food
and drink hamper and 3rd Prize three bottles of wine. All
prizes were achieved through donations by contacting
local business, friends and family!
14. We were able to share the charity message
Had just under 100 students take part in the quiz
and many more enjoying the raffle and cakes
The Quiz Master donated his services for free and
created an amazing humorous atmosphere for all
to enjoy!
We raised over £350
For weeks after the event I was meeting students
across campus I had only had a brief chance to
speak with on the night and their compliments
were touching making the night worth so much
more…..
15. Being a part of the Chester Difference Excellence
Award and the UCVolunteering Excellence Award
through Chester University introduced me to Jill
Topping Manager of the Santander University Branch.
With her help and guidance I have been able to apply
for Santander to fund match over £1300 and the
application is now in the last stage of completion
which I am so proud of !
16. Meeting Childreach International….
Has started a mega year of personal growth both
intellectually, emotionally and physically. The skills I have
learned and practised have been priceless and something I
can continue throughout the rest of my life and as part of my
career.
As a mature student I have had to juggle full-time work,
gaining work experience, completing my course, beginning
my dissertation, considering new employment trying to have
a work-life balance (which is now the topic for my
dissertation) and fundraising for my total.
Fundraising is no easy task and I have great respect for
anyone who takes part, the end goal is not only the important
part it is the journey you travel along to get there, one which I
hope will not end and I look forward to the next chapter of my
story…..
