The legal stuff

There are two kinds of raffle - the simplest and most common way is called an incidental lottery for which we have included details below, but if you'd like more information you can check out the Gambling Commission or the Fundraising Regulator websites.

An incidental lottery is the type of raffle that we recommend for supporters, as it is by far the most straight forward and simplest to organise. The requirements are:

• The raffle must be part of a bigger event, and not the reason for the event itself. For example, it could be part of a quiz night, charity coffee morning or a summer fayre.
• Tickets can only be sold at one location and while the event is taking place. You can not sell tickets online.
• Tickets don't need to have anything specific on them so you can use 'cloakroom' style tickets.
• Tickets must be sold at a consistent price.
• We recommend where possible asking for prizes to be donated, but should you need to purchase prizes, the total prize costs must not exceed £500.
• The maximum amount allowed for expenses (such as tickets/ hiring equipment, etc.) must not exceed £100.

If you are planning on holding a raffle where tickets are sold in advance, online* or are to be sold at more than one venue, the requirements will be greater. It may require you to purchase a local lottery licence through your local authority before tickets can go on sale - this comes at a cost and can take up to 12 weeks to receive. If you are considering this as part of your fundraising please do get in touch with the St Peter's Hospice fundraising team, and we can talk you through the options/requirements.

*This includes on a JustGiving site. If you are looking to use JustGiving to sell your tickets you must also ensure your page is set up so that Gift Aid can not be claimed.

How to run your raffle

Here is a short guide on how to run your raffle as an incidental lottery.

Let us know

So once you have decided when and where to hold your raffle, let us know your plans!

The Hospice fundraising team are so excited to support you in your fundraising, so please get in touch with us. We have lots of resources that we can send you - and can also provide you with a letter of authority to fundraise which you might need if asking companies to donate prizes.

Raffle prizes

Sourcing your raffle prizes can take longer than expected so make sure you start the process as early as possible. Local businesses are generally happy to donate prizes for charity raffles - from products to vouchers (there are no limits on how much donated prizes can be worth!).

You could get in touch by email, or sometimes popping into the store and speaking to the manager can be the best bet. Don't forget, if you need one we can provide you with a letter of authority confirming you are fundraising for St Peter's Hospice.

Raffle tickets

You can't hold a raffle without tickets! There are no set requirements for what must be printed on the tickets, as long as you can easily identify the winner.

You can buy tickets online, or just get hold of some cloakroom tickets from your local supermarket - just don't forget you can only claim a maximum of £100 of your proceeds to cover the expenses to run the lottery/raffle.

Get selling

So your event has arrived and its time to sell your raffle tickets - just a few things to keep in mind on the big day...

• Tickets can only be sold at the location of the event and whilst the event is taking place. They can not be sold in advance or online.
• You can sell tickets to children. However, think about the prizes you have on offer, e.g. alcohol can't be won by a child.
• There is no limit on how much you can charge for a ticket, but the price for all tickets must be the same.
• You must provide physical tickets to those taking part. There are no set requirements for what must be printed on the tickets, as long as you can identify which ones are winning tickets.

And the winner is...

You can draw the winner/s during or after the event where you sold tickets. Make sure you make it clear to people when you will be announcing the winners when selling the tickets. It is important that you ensure all prizes are won, as you can't roll prizes over from one event to the next.

Make sure you say thank you to anyone who has supported your raffle, let them know how much was raised overall and how their support makes a difference. If you need any help or information on this please just let us know!

Paying in your fundraising

There are a few different ways you can pay your fundraising in listed below. Please note that Gift Aid can not be applied to money raised from raffles as legally buying a ticket does not count as a donation.

Online: Pay in your money via our online donation form. Make sure you pop how you raised the money in the description.

Post: Cheques should be made payable to St Peter's Hospice and sent to:

St Peter's Hospice
18 Orchard View
Estune Business Park
Pear Tree Avenue
Long Ashton
Bristol BS41 9FR

Please include a note with your cheque letting us know your details and how the funds were raised.

Phone: Give us a call on 01275 391400

Bank transfer: If you would like to pay your fundraising in via bank transfer, please get in touch with us using the form below or call 01275 391437.

JustGiving: If you have linked your fundraising page to St Peter's Hospice, then the money will automatically be sent to us. This can take up to 6-8 weeks. Don't forget if you are paying your money in through your JustGiving page you can not claim Gift Aid.

Get in touch

Thanks so much for supporting the Hospice and best of luck with your fundraising. If you need any support, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Please email us on supportercare@stpetershospice.org or call us on 01275 391437.