Fundraising for Chopsticks

Fundraising plays a vital role in helping Chopsticks support adults with learning disabilities across North Yorkshire. Every penny raised goes towards creating meaningful opportunities, building confidence, and making sure our members have access to the spaces, resources, and support they need to thrive.

Whether you're planning something small or something bigger, your efforts directly support our work – and we’re here to help you get started.

Talk to the Team
Two girls, one wearing a red jacket and the other in a pink fluffy coat, are standing outdoors on a gravel path under a decorated tree. The girl in pink is holding a white envelope to the girl in red. A black puppy is sitting in a white basket on a small table decorated with silver garland.

Ways to Fundraise

From raffles and bake sales to charity gigs or photo competitions, there are plenty of ways to raise money for Chopsticks.

Whether you’re a local business, a member’s family, a school, or someone who simply loves what we do, there are plenty of ways to get involved:

  • Great for events or community spaces. We can even provide handmade items or kindling as prizes.

  • Choose your challenge – from a gentle stroll to something more daring – and ask friends and family to sponsor you.

  • Perfect for schools, community centres or workplaces. Sell your own creations or some of ours.

  • Host a fun night for a good cause – we can help with promotion or a donation bucket.

  • Spread the word while selling handmade goods, raising awareness, or running a game or activity.

  • Dress-down days, match funding, or choosing us as your Charity of the Year – we’d love to partner up.

  • Use platforms like JustGiving or GoFundMe to tell your story and reach more people.

  • Art, photography, drawing or crafts – competitions are a great way to involve all ages and get creative for a cause.

A girl and a man exchanging an envelope in front of a parked car outside a brick house. The girl is on the left, wearing a purple shirt, red jacket, and blue pants, and the man on the right is wearing a blue shirt, gray cap, and face mask. A table with a white surface is in front of them, decorated with tinsel and small hanging decorations.
A slice of cake with raisins and drops of icing next to some coins on a white plate, a small green donation box, and a blackboard sign reading 'Charity Bake Sale 12th - 16th Feb', in a decorated room with chandeliers and paintings.

Why it

matters

As a charitable organisation, we rely on the generosity of individuals, community groups, and local businesses to help cover the costs of running our workshops, transporting members, and maintaining vital equipment.

Fundraising isn’t only about raising money; it’s also about bringing people together and raising awareness.

Every fundraiser helps us continue our work, and every bit of support makes a difference.

From Ella’s handmade face masks to Dan’s 15-mile walk and Top Shop’s raffle hampers, we’re constantly inspired by the generosity of our supporters.

Take a look at just a few of the amazing things people have done to raise money for Chopsticks:

See Fundraising in Action

  • Ella and a staff member standing outside, holding a donation cheque in front of a car decorated with bunting.

    Ella’s First £300 for Chopsticks

    Ella raised her first £300 during lockdown by selling handmade face masks with her family — a brilliant start to her fundraising journey.

  • Ella and a Chopsticks staff member holding a donation cheque under a tree with red bunting, next to a small table and a black dog.

    £2,000 Raised with Bunting & Masks

    With help from Millie the dog, Ella returned with a second cheque — this time for £2,000 raised through bunting and masks.

  • Ella handing over a cheque to a Chopsticks team member on a driveway, standing in front of three parked cars.

    Reaching the £1,000 Milestone

    By early 2021, Ella had raised over £1,000 for Chopsticks through her ongoing handmade fundraising efforts. We couldn't be prouder.

  • Chopsticks members sanding and painting handmade wood items around a workshop table, preparing for a Jubilee fundraising event.

    Jubilee Stall Fundraiser in Osmotherley

    Members prepared garden items and kindling for a Jubilee stall at St Peter's Church — raising funds and proudly showcasing their handiwork.

  • Chopsticks members standing proudly behind a festive craft stall at Sacred Heart’s Christmas Fair

    Christmas Fair at Sacred Heart

    Our members enjoyed running a festive stall filled with handmade goods — and even got to meet Father Christmas and Jack the donkey!

  • Chopsticks members setting up an outdoor gazebo stall on a wet high street, surrounded by handmade wooden items and donation buckets, ready for the Northallerton Christmas Fair.

    Setting Up at Northallerton Fair

    A very chilly start as our team set up an outdoor stall for the Northallerton Christmas Fair — a great way to raise funds and awareness locally.

  • A smiling young man in a red cap and hoodie holds a Nidderdale Charity Walk certificate in the Chopsticks workshop.

    Dan Walks 15 Miles for Charity

    Dan completed a 15-mile walk with Avalon Group, raising funds through the Nidderdale Charity Walk & Run.

  • A Chopsticks member in a blue t-shirt sorts kindling onto a conveyor belt in the workshop, with red gift bags and bundles of sticks in the background.

    Barclays Support Christmas Fair Stalls

    Barclays sponsored our stalls at the 2018 Northallerton Fair, helping us showcase handmade items and raise vital funds.

  • Two smiling women inside a village shop holding a large raffle hamper filled with food and gift items.

    Raffle Support from Top Shop

    The team at Top Shop Osmotherley held a brilliant raffle to raise funds for Chopsticks, with amazing prizes and fantastic community support.

  • Three Chopsticks members proudly hold a framed certificate for winning a photography competition, with a winning photo of Barry in the background.

    2,000 Prize from Photo Competition

    Chopsticks won £2,000 in a photography competition thanks to a brilliant picture of Barry in the workshop — another creative way we've raised funds to support our members.

Ready to Get Involved?

If you’ve got an idea – or want help getting started – we’d love to hear from you. Just get in touch and let’s talk it through.

Let’s make something happen together.