Raising money for a gap year

[_sophie_]

http://www.realgap.co...and-Thailand-Gap-Year
I am determined to go on this gap year in 2-3 years time. I'm starting an online bank savings account and putting £20 into that every month of my own money. I know this is a really pricey gap year but I was just wondering if anyone had any ideas of extra ways to earn money? I'm going to try and do race for life next year and get sponsors, hopefully a bake sale at school (not certain yet) and i know a band who might do a gig but what can i get from that? Ticket sales? Or do they not need to be paid for it? I'm setting up a justgiving page and just see if anyone donates, and i was going to put an advert in the local paper for this to get it a bit known. I'm only 15 just now so can't get a job but i want to offer some sort of help in the newspaper. What can i do? Don't think people would trust a 15 year old babysitting would they?!
Anyway just any ideas or help would be much appreciated!

[factor-fiction]

I know the Thailand project involves some work for good causes but is it the norm for volunteers to raise money as if they are a charity? I may be out of touch but I'd feel uncomfortable with the idea

[bednobs]

isn't race for life about raising money for cancer charities, rather than raising money for yourself? If someone asked me to sponsor them so they could go off and have a good time, i'd say no!

[bednobs]

snap!

[boxtops]

I agree factor, I was going to say much the same - Race for Life is raising money for that charity not for your own projects, and JustGiving passes the donations direct to the charities involved. I'm afraid that the friends of mine who run in Race for Life get my money because it goes to cancer charities, not for one person to go off for a gap year.
Once you are 16 you could get a part-time job at weekends, that would be a better way of saving, or walk people's dogs, or babysit. Crossing the boundary into charitable events is not - IMO - the way to do it.

[bednobs]

ps 20 quid a month isn't going to get you very far in 2 years you'll have less than 500 quid - not even enough to buy a good backpack, get insurance and get to the airport probably. Perhaps you'd be better off getting a saturday job so you can put more in

[~Wingnut~]

As Bednobs has said Race for life is about raising money for cancer research, if you want to raise money for yourself please don't use RFL to do it!
I was working at 15, no reason why you can't esp if you have 2-3 years to save up for it. Earn the money.

[bednobs]

also meant to say an ad in the paper will take up a couple of months of your savings i'm afraid

[~Wingnut~]

Sorry as Factor 30 and Boxtops have said as well.

[bednobs]

ppps, you can get a job when you are 15!

[Eve]

I thought the Race for Life was for cancer charity as well.

I think you might have difficulty raising money for this as a charity too as from the look of the site, you'd only be spending a few weeks actually doing any kind of voluntary work. If someone was going on a proper full time voluntary placement I'd be more willing to sponser them.

Have you looked around for jobs? I worked when I was under 16, you might not get much money for it but surely going off on an amazing adventure would feel so much sweeter if you have really worked for it.

I did all sorts when I was younger to get me through my studies, cleaning, working in all kinds of restaurants, cafes, a supermarket etc... I worked while at school and college and when I was at uni I wouldn't go home for the holidays, I'd stay and rent somewhere and work all sorts of hours. A strong work ethic is a valuable thing and it's a great feeling to think you've earnt something by working to pay for it.

[_sophie_]

Oh dear.. do you think this idea is just a 'dream on' thing? It's never going to happen? How much should i put in my savings account a month - i get £40 pocket money a month. Yeah i've looked for jobs but noone will take me because i have no experience and i can't do the hours they want because of school. Sorry, i completely forgot about that charity thing. Surely there is some sort of run i can do and get sponsors for it? I'm really starting to worry that i'm never going to get this money now. What can i do to earn it?!?!? I will keep looking for jobs definitely.
P.S. if this is too expensive, is there any other gap year companies and i could take a look at which are a bit cheaper and perhaps more realistic?
Thanks for the help

[boxtops]

VSO has always been popular for gap year students - have a look here http://www.vso.org.uk/

[bednobs]

it depends which aspect of the gap "year" appeals to you most. You could do 1 4 week aspect that is mentioned int he itinery - that would be cheaper (but clearly wouldn't take a year!)
otherwise, get your own working visa, book your own flights and work your way round on your gap year. then you only need to make enough money for your needs at the time.
i don't think it's out of the question completely, just that you are being a little unrealistic.

[bednobs]

you also ask "how much should i put in my account per month" well, assuming the time period is 3 years, purely to pay for the travel you would have to put in over 150 a month. That dosen't include things like food by the way. Plus, they say "prices from" meaning the price shown is their very smallest price, so it could be more

[sherrardk]

Anyone else find it odd that Sophie has been a member on here since she was 10 years old?

[factor-fiction]

Not really, sherrardk. Looking back at her posts over the years they seem consistent with her age each year.

[_sophie_]

Don't think i used this much when i was 10 years old i have to say. Pretttty sure it was just for a song in an advert that i actually made this! Is quite a useful site now though.