The University and its staff have a proud tradition of fundraising for charitable causes. Whether it be bake sales, sponsored runs or even abseiling down our tallest buildings, many members of our staff community take part in various activities to raise money for good causes.


As part of our wider civic engagement, we encourage teams across the University to initiate fundraising activities and connect with local organisations.


Below are the official charity partners for Aston University. Discover more about these charities and how you can make a difference to communities across the West Midlands.

Aston Villa Foundation

The Aston Villa Foundation is the charitable arm of Aston Villa Football Club, which supports initiatives in the community surrounding Villa Park and across Birmingham. The Foundation delivers schemes across sport, health, education, community safety and community relations agendas – including the Villa Vision project delivered in partnership with Aston University. Opportunities to get involved with the Foundation include supporting those with disabilities, young people and improving the health and wellbeing of our local community.

Forward Fund

Aston University’s inhouse project, the Forward Fund brings together many different areas where your help can make a real difference. By making a gift you will be supporting students where there is the greatest need.

LoveBrum

LoveBrum is a charity that engages with hidden gem projects that are often volunteer led and that deliver real change, with outcomes that can be seen, measured, enjoyed, and loved.


They support the ‘hard-to-reach’ projects; those causes that do not receive the platform or funding that they probably deserve. They aim to support over 36 projects per year, and to reach out to all corners of our city to remind people how great Birmingham is.


Every penny raised from individual memberships and fundraising stays in Birmingham and goes straight to the chosen causes. They encourage everyone to get involved and unite businesses and individuals across Birmingham.

Birmingham Community Healthcare - NHS Foundation Trust

The Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Charity (or BCHC Charity) is an official NHS charity. Charitable funds are a way of providing ‘extras’ not funded as part of core NHS services.

These are the things that will bring a smile to patients to enhance their experience or improve their care with us, such as a piece of equipment, research project or training course that will improve the care staff can provide. These initiatives can range from small items like books, toys, and toiletries all the way up to large projects such as our therapeutic playground for children with lower limb prosthesis at the West Midlands Rehabilitation Centre. Thanks to star supporters, they've been able to renovate garden areas, fund beautiful murals at BCHC bases throughout Birmingham, provide sensory lighting spaces for patients with learning disabilities, entertain patients with music, magic, and days out.

Fundraising Ideas

Feeling inspired? The possibilities are endless, whether its an individual fundraising or your department, here are some ideas to get you started!


Don’t forget to share your photos, stories and videos with us using the hashtag #TeamAston 
We would love to talk to you about your ideas and we are here to support, if you want to get in touch to discuss please email r.amato@aston.ac.uk 

Individual Fundraising Ideas
  • Sign up to a challenge - Whether you opt for a 5k or an ultra marathon, running events are a good opportunity to ask for sponsorship, whatever your level of fitness. If you don’t want to run, opt for a sponsored walk instead. There’s also cycling, or obstacle runs that might challenge you too! 
  • Cycle to Work – Why not do your health and the environment a favour and cycle to work? You can turn it into a charitable challenge by donating the money saved on fuel or travel fares to your chosen cause.
  • Quizzes - Become Quizmaster for the evening and host a virtual or in person quiz with your family and friends via video chat. Get creative with team names, music, sports and trivia rounds and donate your entrance fees at the end of the night.
  • Donate your expenses - Now that the majority of people are working from home, why not donate the money you'd usually spend on coffees, fuel, or mid morning muffins?
  • Virtual Collection Tin - Set up your own ‘collection tin’ by creating a JustGiving page. Use the opportunity to spread the message of your chosen charity.
  • Facebook Fundraiser - Are you celebrating something special soon? Maybe your birthday or anniversary is coming up or you're looking for a way to celebrate an upcoming religious holiday. Whatever the occasion you can launch a Facebook Fundraiser to help raise money and invite all of your friends to contribute.
Team Fundraising Ideas
  • Fancy Dress Challenge - Why not dress up for a day, or a week? Why not get your kids to pick out an outfit for you to wear for the day, the crazier the better, then get snapping and post the photos on social media! You could involve everyone in the office with a prize for the best (or worst) outfit of the day! You could even agree on a theme each week for your team to follow (and the kids to interpret as they will).
  • Be Quitters! – What could you give up for a month? Challenge your team to abstain from habits or indulgences for a whole month. What better way to motivate each other, or add some healthy competition to see who can complete the challenge.
  • Bean Bath – You may need to go to a local wholesaler to get enough beans to fill a bath without bankrupting yourself, but this old school fundraising idea is bound to get the interest of your department.
  • Movember – Growing a moustache for charity can be a great team activity. Make sure you give plenty of notice so that those who want to be involved have plenty of time to start growing and grooming a fine moustache.
  • Bake Sales – Think the Great Aston Bake-Off… give your team a chance to show off their skills and raise money at the same time. You could even add an element of competition and offer a prize for the best bake.

Fundraising in action

Paget Rangers

Aston University donated a signed Aston Villa FC shirt which was used by the local football team to secure new kit. The under-16s team were ecstatic to raise £350 by auctioning the piece online. 

Paget Rangers U16 team show the signed shirt in a frame

 

LoveBrum

Aston University organised a 5k fun run on campus to raise money for our sponsored charity, LoveBrum. Over 100 people signed up and raised nearly £500.

Aston University staff pose for a picture at the fun run

 

Winter Wellbeing Craft Stall

Nasima Mulla, senior service desk assistant in Digital Services, hand made a variety of gifts which she sold at the craft fair. Nasima has raised £63 which was donated to Birmingham Healthcare Charity.

 

Nasima Mulla fundraising for BCHC