Perennial is often described as a ‘lifeline’ by the people we help. Now during the coronavirus crisis your fundraising will make a real and lasting difference to lives. You can read about some of our service users’ stories here.

What your fundraising will do

£25 pays for a new school uniform for the child of someone struggling to make ends meet

£50 will pay for a care alarm to be installed for an elderly or disabled client

£150 will pay for a TV licence for a client whose only companion is the TV

£200 pays for 10 sessions at a nursery for a baby whose parent is critically ill

£500 will help furnish a flat for someone who was previously homeless

£750 pays the removal fees for a client fleeing domestic violence

£1,000 will buy a new boiler for a family living without hot water or heating

How to get your money to us

Online – The easiest way to get your sponsorship money is by setting up a page via JustGiving

Let us know what you’re up to

Don’t forget to tell us what you’re doing to raise money and send us photos and video of your event. You can share your story on our Facebook page, tweet about it on Twitter, or email events@perennial.org.uk

You can read about some of the people Perennial has helped here →

Due to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, we are following government advice and have subsequently had to postpone all our Challenge Events during April to June. There are still opportunities to get involved with fundraising for Perennial and we have lots of activities that you could book for next year and lots of ideas for virtual events that you can get involved in now:

Abseil down the ArcelorMittal Orbit

Experience the most spectacular views of London, whilst dangling in free space, 80 metres above the ground!

Abseiling down the ArcelorMittal Orbit will be an experience you will never forget.

Our abseil instructors will look after you every step of the way.  They will kit you up and look after every aspect of your safety.

Using the safest rigging system conceivable, they will coax you over the edge and on your way to a truly breathtaking experience.

Make sure you savour those moments.  They are truly incredible!

Full details here.

Jurassic Coast Weekend

Stretching 95 miles between Old Harry Rocks in Dorset, to Orcombe Point in East Devon, the Jurassic Coast – England’s first Natural World Heritage Site – is the most geologically diverse coastline in the world. The exposed cliff sections allow you to look back through 185 million years of time; dinosaur remains have been found here, and it’s a fossil-hunter’s paradise.

With a more recent history of mining, shipwrecks and smuggling, this is a fascinating stretch of coastline. We take in some of its most  spectacular scenery, from the renowned natural stone archway of Durdle Door to the beautiful circular Lulworth Cove, as we continually climb and descend the steep hills of the Jurassic Coast. We camp at a lovely campsite a short distance from our route.

Full details here.

*Tour subject to minimum numbers

Surrey Hills Challenge – 5km

The Surrey Hills Festival of Sport is set in the beautiful Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking, in the heart of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Perennial supports everyone working in horticulture, including viticulturists, making this a very fitting event. Can we challenge you to run 5km for Perennial?

Mark Garthwaite from Idverde took part in last year’s event:

‘I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to support Perennial again, a fantastic charity supporting my industry.  I last took to the hills for Perennial in 2016 for the wonderful ‘Three Peaker Ride again- Snowdon to Lands’ End’ bike ride’ so I didn’t take much persuading to join the Surrey Hills Challenge in the awesome Denbies Wine Estate in the Surrey Hills.  The scenery was amazing and a stand out part of the run was that a large proportion of the run saw owners and their dogs competing the same run ‘canicross’ style, so quite an experience!  I plan to be back in 2020 when I may even take on the full marathon!’

For further information email: Events@perennial.org.uk

Trek Kilimanjaro

The highest freestanding mountain in the world, Kilimanjaro is also the highest mountain on the African continent at 5896m. Its snow-capped summit rises high above the dusty African plains; huge permanent glaciers flow down from the summit, spectacular views and beautiful ice formations are the reward for pushing your limits both physically and mentally.

Our trek takes the Machame route, allowing gradual acclimatisation to the altitude and an excellent chance of reaching the summit. We pass through thick forest, moorland and scree en route to Uhuru Peak, the highest point.

This is a challenging trek at altitude, climbing one of the most impressive mountains in the world.

Full details here.

Arctic Adventure

The perfect antidote to a cold, wet British winter is a cold, dry Arctic adventure! Away from the crowds, enjoy mesmerisingly peaceful scenes of frozen lakes and snow-covered pine and spruce forests as we explore the silent wilderness.

We’ll be snow-shoeing to a remote overnight cabin, pushing ourselves in this harsh but compelling environment, and we’ll also try cross-country skiing and husky-sledding. Staying in traditional log cabins in the woods, we can relax in Finnish saunas and enjoy the incredible night skies. If we’re lucky we’ll also see the captivating dance of the Northern Lights.

Full details here.

Trek Costa Rica

Our adventurous coast to coast challenge involves crossing from the Pacific Coast to the Caribbean on foot. En-route we see Irazu and Turrialba, the country’s highest active volcanoes, as we trek from coffee plantations and oak forests into dense tropical rainforest.

Costa Rica’s cloudforests and rainforests are justifiably world-famous for their diversity and this is a wonderful opportunity to experience one of the world’s most incredible eco-systems. We see colourful butterflies and tiny tree-frogs, and will hear howler monkeys and exotic bird calls as we trek.

This is a tough, strenuous challenge over a range of wild terrain – it’s adventurous, rewarding and a world away from the norm!

Full details here.

*Tour subject to minimum numbers

Great Wall of China Trek

Trek one of the Seven Wonders of the World for Perennial! The Great Wall of China has to be the ultimate building project the world has ever known; constructed by human hands over 2000 years ago, it stretches across this hilly region with long spurs and watch-towers often disappearing into the mists.

The trek is very varied, passing through woodland and terraced farmland, and follows the contours of the beautiful hills and mountains in remote areas north of Beijing. You will follow old sections of the Great Wall, as well as restored sections with smooth flagstones and lots of steps!

Full details here.

*Tour subject to minimum numbers

Wing Walk for Perennial

Flown by one of the most experienced display pilots in the world, on a Boeing Stearman biplane, this is one of the most unusual, exciting and breathtaking fundraising events in the UK!

To find out more about this once in a lifetime experience email: Events@perennial.org.uk

Skydiving

Imagine standing at the edge of an open doorway in an aircraft flying at 10,000 feet – the noise of the engines and the wind ringing in your ears with only the outline of distant fields below.

Now imagine leaning forward out of that doorway and letting go – falling forward into the clouds, diving down through the air as you start free-falling at over 120mph!

Imagine no more… come and join us! Great to do if you’re celebrating a big birthday, needing an adrenaline fix or need to tick it off your bucket list. A number of airfields to choose from around the UK.

Full details here.

Need some inspiration in your virtual fundraising for Perennial?

With most of us self-isolating or social distancing, we have come up with a list of ideas that you can do at home, why not try one of our ideas below…

• Take part in one of our challenge events for the end of 2020 or 2021

• Become a Perennial Partner in 2020: Find out more about our unique Partnership scheme for companies working in and with the UK horticulture industry

• Virtual Bingo! Housey Housey! There are online Bingo cards which you can download, ask friends and family to donate for a card to take part. Get everyone online and BINGO what a great fundraiser you have

• Sponsored chores! Get your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews doing the chores and donate the money to a good cause. Eg car wash/cleaning/ironing

• Design Cards, get creating and designing cards to sell at future events to raise funds for Perennial

• Garden Gym! There’s a gym outside your window – get out in the garden and get fit in the process – why not ask friends and neighbours if they need a hand in their garden in exchange for a donation to Perennial?

• Virtual coffee morning, donate the value of a weeks worth of your daily cup of coffee to Perennial

• Virtual Dinner Party. As dining out is not possible right now so why not host a virtual dinner party instead and ask friends/family to donate the funds they would normally spend on going out to charity. Get your meal ready, agree a mutually convenient time to log on and you can enjoy dinner in the company of friends/family

• Exercise bike marathon! Get sponsored to do a marathon cycle from the comfort of your own home

• #GetGreen – Recycle your old mobile phones, inkjet cartridges and any unwanted jewellery to Perennial via Recycle 4 Charity and Recyling for Good Causes

• #Head Shave! Get friends & family to sponsor you to shave your head, use the time we are in self-isolation to grow your locks and lop them off in the name of Perennial

• Plant sale! Why not leave any excess plants at the end of your driveway with a bit of information about Perennial and an honesty box for donations!

• Skipping! With the restrictions on going out, skipping could be just the answer, if space is limited you could do a sponsored skip, in just a small area!

• Sponsored walk/run in your garden. You could even film a time lapse video of you circling the backyard! You could do a marathon in an afternoon or stretch it out over a month!

• Virtual tea Party with friends! Have a natter, share gardening tips and successes. While we are in ‘lockdown’ keeping in contact with others is essential to our wellbeing. Why not host an online Tea party and donate what you would have spent in a café to Perennial!

• Virtual collection, you can support horticulturalists in need during this national emergency. Raise money online without even leaving your home by setting up a virtual collection today

• Virtual Wine Tasting evening! Send out a wine list to your friends in advance and you can all join in on a sophisticated wine tasting evening!

• Foliage Costumes! Channel you inner Adam & Eve! Create a silly outfit/wig/hat crafted from foliage or plants in your garden. Then wear it at home for the day!

• Zumba-thon! Get your friends involved and have a Zumba session over video conference while raising money for Perennial.

• Virtual around the world race! Run or walk from any location you choose. … You get to run your own race, at your own pace, and time it yourself.

• Virtual garden tours! Take your friend and family on a virtual tour of your garden and show them your favourite plants!

• Get Giving – nominate Perennial as the Charity of the Year for your workplace or company

Whatever you do, don’t forget to tell us about it!

We want to know how you’re planning to raise money for Perennial!

We can support you with publicity, marketing collateral, and help you make sure your fundraising event is as successful as possible.

Contact the Team to let us know – email the events team on events@perennial.org.uk or business partners can email Kate Cooney or Phil Swainston.

Alternatively you can call our team on 0800 093 8510.