Can a single fundraising event generate over £23,000 in peer-to-peer donations? One of our hapiLite clients has just proven that it can - and the results tell a bigger story about the power of seamless supporter journeys, motivated fundraisers, and second-degree donors.
The event itself was simple: a half marathon. No gimmicks, no tech overkill - just a strong concept, passionate participants, and the right digital setup behind the scenes. And it worked.
Simplifying the Journey from Sign-Up to Sponsorship
One of the biggest reasons this campaign succeeded? Simplicity.
Participants registered for the event through hapiLite, and as part of that same process, they were able to create their personal fundraising pages and start accepting donations instantly. No platform switching, no confusing logins, no delays.
This all-in-one system removed the usual friction that can cause would-be fundraisers to drop off. It enabled the charity to consolidate everything in one place, tracking registrations, fundraising progress, and donor data without requiring multiple tools or processes.
Most Hit Their Targets. Most Blew Past Them.
Out of 20 participants, 14 exceeded their fundraising targets - and many by a significant margin. That tells us three things:
- They were motivated and well-supported.
- Their networks were engaged and willing to give.
- There were no roadblocks in their giving journey.
When peer-to-peer fundraising is done right, your community becomes your campaign engine. The charity didn’t need to ask thousands of people for donations. Their supporters did it for them - each reaching into their own networks and telling their own stories. That’s the magic of second-degree donors: they’re giving not because of a direct ask from the charity but because someone they know personally is passionate about the cause.
A Gift Aid Boost - and a Data One
In addition to the £23,000+ raised so far, the campaign also saw 85% of donations made with Gift Aid included. That’s well above average and a clear indicator that the donation flow was simple, trusted, and effective.
But it’s not just about the money. Every donation and opt-in came with valuable supporter data - data the charity can now use for future stewardship, re-engagement, and donor growth. This isn’t just a one-off campaign; it marks the beginning of a broader relationship-building journey.
What Other Charities Can Learn
You don’t need dozens of events or a giant tech stack to grow your fundraising impact. Sometimes, one well-executed, community-driven event can be the spark.
Here’s what this half-marathon success story shows:
- Meet supporters where they are. Provide them with a single platform to sign up, fundraise, and share their page. Make it easy, and they’ll go further.
- Don’t underestimate 2nd-degree donors. Every fundraiser brings a new network to your cause. That’s where the scale happens.
- Track more than just totals. Gift Aid, opt-ins, and data capture are also essential considerations. They shape what you can do next.
The Future of Fundraising is Lean, Focused, and People-Led
At Dreamscape, we believe in giving charities the tools to do more with less. That doesn’t mean cutting corners - it means cutting complexity.
This campaign is proof: with a clear goal, a simple user journey, and a community willing to get behind the cause, one event can make all the difference.
Here’s to more charities maximising their peer-to-peer potential.
Interested in hapiLite or peer-to-peer fundraising for your charity? Get in touch.
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