Relationships
People give to people. All aspects of fundraising rely on personal relationships. This places a clear responsibility on everyone who represents the IRHH in any capacity to promote the charitable nature of our work in an informed way. We believe that informing people about the care we provide, the amount it costs and our reliance on donations and fundraising is fundamental to our success. This is not solely a fundraising responsibility.

We know that families who have benefited from our service are often our most loyal and enthusiastic supporters. Our nurses must acknowledge that they have a special and vital role to play in informing families about our work. Whilst we must always be sensitive to the feelings of all our supporters and approach them using appropriate mechanisms, we also have a duty to future patients and families to ensure that our needs are communicated.

Cause-Led Fundraising
We believe that our fundraising should be cause led. We raise money to care for patients not to pay nurses. All promotional and fundraising activity should relate directly to this principle.

The Fundraising Team needs to believe wholeheartedly in the work of the nurses with patients and families. To achieve this, regular contact with the nurses remains vital.

Supporting Our Supporters
The role of the Fundraising Department is to encourage, guide and support everyone who wishes to organise fundraising events or other initiatives for us. We should restrict executive input to functions that can only be undertaken centrally or where there is a major financial advantage in so doing.

Thanks
We believe that all donations and practical help should be acknowledged in writing promptly within a maximum of 7 days. Home and Shop Box donations to be acknowledged within 14 days.

Volunteers
We are committed to recruiting, supporting and developing volunteers in all areas of fundraising.

Keeping In Touch
We must utilise every appropriate mechanism to reach out to existing and potential supporters to raise awareness and generate financial support for our work. Whilst there is no substitute for direct communication on a one-to-one basis, we need to extend our networks and seek out those in positions of influence to further our cause.

We should never be afraid to ask for help in any form in support of our cause.