Fundraising Legalities

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Young people and fundraising guidelines
General advice
Collections
Food
Lotteries and quizzes
Sales

Young people and fundraising guidelines
Fundraising is all about having fun and making a difference by raising money for a good cause such as the RNLI at the same time. To make sure fundraising is fun please read our guidelines about making sure it is safe and legal.

Remember if in doubt please call your Regional Education Manager who will be happy to help you with your enquiry.

Young people of any age can help with fundraising for the RNLI, but there are a few important rules:
• If you or people taking part are under 18, please check with your parents or guardians before undertaking any fundraising events. Your parents may have to sign for you if you are entering into an event.
• Young people under 16 must be accompanied by an adult if collecting money from the public in a street collection. It is against the law for anyone under the age of 16 to collect money by themselves for charity in the street.
• If you’re are under 16 and want to help in House to House collection you will need an adult with you. The adult house to house collector must carry a certificate of authority and a collector’s badge which must be signed by the collector.
• If you’re going door-to-door asking for sponsorship, again you have to have an adult with you if you are under 16.
• Teachers - always obtain the written permission of parents or guardians before involving young people in any fundraising events.
• Take extra care where children are involved in fundraising events. There must be adequate supervision and their health and safety is a priority. Be vigilant at all times to protect young people from risk.
• Take time to involve children and young people at all stages of planning and carrying out fundraising events – and in celebrating successes afterwards!

General Advice
• Be safe! Don’t do anything illegal or dangerous. Do try to take reasonable care of the health and safety of both yourself and other people.
• Consider how any planned fundraising events could affect other people. If you are unsure, please check with your Local Authority or contact the Regional Education Manager in your area who will be able to help.
• Check whether you have adequate insurance. For example, if organising an event to be held at school, check that you have adequate public liability insurance cover. The RNLI can take no responsibility for any injury, losses or damage caused or sustained as a result of fundraising events in aid of the RNLI. Remember that it is the responsibility of those joining in fundraising events to ensure they are fit to take part.
• Ensure that any venue being used has been checked for health and safety hazards, by carrying out a risk assessment, and that there are adequate emergency, first aid and evacuation procedures in place. Always make provision for lost or injured children at fundraising events.
• If the event involves the sale of alcohol or singing or dancing, you will need to check with your Local Authority whether you need a Public Entertainment Licence or Liquor Licence (unless your venue already holds one).

Collections
• Always inform your Regional Education Manager before doing a public fundraising collection on behalf of the RNLI. You will also need to obtain permission from your Local Authority. Remember, anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult if collecting money from the public.

Food
• The Food Safety Act of 1990 and Regulations of 1995 place requirements on anyone who sells or processes food to make sure they do so safely and hygienically.
• Always ensure that any food you are providing or selling has been safely stored, hygienically prepared and thoroughly cooked.
• Foods made with nuts, unpasteurised milk or raw eggs should be clearly labelled or avoided.
• If selling food that has already been defrosted, label it to warn people against freezing it again.
• For further advice please consult your Local Authority’s Food Safety Officer.

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Lotteries and quizzes
• Lotteries are governed by the Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976.
• ‘Small’ and ‘Private’ lotteries (for example at a fete or dinner dance) do not need a licence.
• ‘Society’ lotteries (such as stand-alone raffles) do and there are legal requirements on the level of prizes that can be offered, the amount of expenses that can be charged, and the way the activity is organised.
• As the rules regarding lotteries are complex, it is advisable to ask for clarification from your Local Authority. If you are organising a quiz or competition where skill is involved in determining the outcome, no registration is required and there is no limit to the prizes that can be offered.

Sales
• It is an offence to sell the following goods to young people under 16:
- Cigarettes
- Knives
- Other potential weapons
• It is an offence to sell the following goods to young people under 18
- Alcohol
- Adult-rated videos or literature