Sample fundraising page – Trials & Tribulations

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Creating a compelling fundraising page is crucial for your success, but knowing what to write can feel overwhelming. Here’s a proven template that connects with donors while clearly explaining your challenge and cause.

Page title: Sisters Supporting Refugees: Our Muddy Challenge for Hope

Target: £2,500

We’re doing something a bit mad (and meaningful)

We’re a group of 12 Muslim mums and sisters from [Your Area] who’ve signed up for something that honestly terrifies half of us – a full day physical challenge involving mud, obstacles, and serious discomfort.

But here’s why we’re doing it: while we’ll be struggling through mud for a few hours, refugees around the world face unimaginable hardships every single day. Our temporary discomfort can’t compare to their reality, but it can help us raise vital funds and awareness for those who need our support most.

What we’re actually doing

The Challenge: A day-long endurance test including:

An overnight stay sleeping on hard floors with minimal comfort
Fasting throughout the entire challenge
A cross-country trek in full modest dress
A muddy assault course with obstacles designed to push our limits
All while maintaining hijab and modest clothing throughout

When: [Date] Who: 12 women aged 22-65, from complete beginners to the reasonably fit Why: To stand in solidarity with refugee women who face these conditions not by choice, but necessity

Who we’re supporting

We’re raising money for [Charity Name], who provide [brief description of their refugee work]. Every pound we raise will go directly towards [specific examples of what donations achieve].

£20 provides emergency supplies for a family’s first week in safety £50 funds a month of education for a refugee child
£100 covers essential medical care for someone who’s lost everything £200 helps a family rebuild their lives with dignity

Why this matters to us

[Include 2-3 brief personal statements from participants, such as:]

Fatima, 34, mother of three: “I’ve never done anything like this before, but when I think about mothers fleeing war zones with their children, my nerves about crawling through mud seem pretty trivial.”

Aisha, 28: “As someone whose grandparents came to this country seeking a better life, I feel it’s important to stand with those making similar journeys today.”

Khadijah, 45: “I’m terrified of the obstacles, but if refugee women can face life-threatening challenges while maintaining their dignity and faith, I can certainly manage a few hours of discomfort.”

How you can help

Sponsor our challenge – any amount makes a difference and shows you’re standing with us Share our story – help us reach more people who might want to support refugee families Follow our journey – we’ll share updates as we prepare and take on the challenge Pray for us – we’ll need all the moral support we can get!

What happens next

We’re currently training (some more enthusiastically than others!) and will share regular updates on our progress. All funds raised will be transferred to [Charity Name] within two weeks of our challenge completion.

After the challenge, we’ll share:

Photos and stories from our experience (with participant consent)
Exactly how much we raised and what it will achieve
Updates on how the charity uses our funds to help refugee families

Thank you

Whether you donate £5 or £50, share our page, or simply keep us in your prayers, you’re part of something meaningful. Together, we’re showing that ordinary people can take extraordinary action to support those who need it most.

Every step we take through mud and obstacles is a step towards hope for families who desperately need our support.

Follow our training journey:

[Social media links]
[Email updates signup]
[WhatsApp group for supporters – optional]

About [Charity Name]: [Brief paragraph about the charity’s work, credibility, and impact]

This challenge is organised by [Your Group/Organisation]. All participants are volunteering their time and covering their own costs so 100% of donations go directly to supporting refugee families.

Customisation guidance for organisers

Adapting the tone

For family/friends groups: Make it more personal and informal
For community groups: Emphasise shared values and community action
For established organisations: Add more formal credibility markers

Key elements to personalise

Replace [Your Area] with your specific location
Add real names and ages of your participants (with permission)
Include specific examples relevant to your chosen charity
Adjust the challenge description to match your actual plans
Add your actual target amount and participant numbers

Optional additions

Training photos or videos
Quotes from charity representatives
Statistics about refugee situations that connect to your cause
Links to previous similar challenges your group has completed

Writing tips for different sections

Opening hook

Start with what makes your group special or relatable
Acknowledge that the challenge is difficult – this creates respect
Connect quickly to the bigger purpose

Challenge description

Be specific enough that people understand the difficulty
Don’t oversell the hardship – let the reality speak for itself
Mention the modest dress element as it shows additional commitment

Charity section

Use concrete examples of what money achieves
Avoid overwhelming statistics
Focus on hope and positive impact rather than just need

Personal stories

Get quotes from participants with different perspectives
Include nervous participants alongside confident ones
Show the range of people involved (ages, backgrounds, experience levels)

Call to action

Make it easy to say yes to supporting you
Offer multiple ways people can help beyond just donating
Be grateful, not demanding

Common mistakes to avoid

Too much detail about the charity

People are donating because they trust you, not because they’ve done extensive charity research. Brief, clear information is better than overwhelming detail.

Underselling the challenge

If it sounds easy, people won’t be impressed by your effort. Be honest about how difficult it will be.

Overselling the hardship

Don’t make it sound like you’re suffering terribly. You’re choosing to do this. Frame it as meaningful challenge, not martyrdom.

Generic language

Avoid charity-speak and formal language. Write like you’re talking to friends and family.

Too many asks

Focus on one clear ask (donations) rather than confusing people with multiple requests.

Platform-specific adjustments

JustGiving

Use their built-in features for target thermometers and social sharing
Take advantage of their donor recognition features
Make use of the updates section for regular progress posts

GoFundMe

Use more photos and visual storytelling
Take advantage of their better social media integration
Use the story format to create emotional connection

Charity-specific platforms

Focus more on the challenge itself since the charity credibility is built-in
Emphasise your group’s story and motivation
Connect directly to the charity’s current campaigns

Testing your page

Before going live, check:

Does it clearly explain what you’re doing and why?
Would someone unfamiliar with your group understand the challenge?
Are the donation amounts and charity information correct?
Do all links work properly?
Have you spell-checked everything?
Are you happy for anyone to see this page?

Get feedback from:

Participants who haven’t seen the draft
Family members who might donate
Someone unfamiliar with your group or the challenge concept
Someone familiar with the charity you’re supporting

Updating throughout your campaign

Weekly updates might include:

Training progress and participant stories
Milestone celebrations (funds raised, new supporters)
Educational content about refugee issues
Behind-the-scenes preparation activities
Thank you messages to recent donors

Keep updates:

Brief and engaging rather than lengthy
Focused on progress and positive momentum
Grateful and humble rather than demanding
Personal and authentic rather than corporate

Remember, your fundraising page is often the first impression people have of your challenge and cause. Make it count by being authentic, clear, and compelling. The combination of personal story, clear purpose, and specific impact creates pages that people want to support and share.

Guidance last updated: 21 January 2026