Ways2Raise

What is it?

A Sponsored Litter Pick is a fantastic way for teens to raise funds by cleaning up their local area while engaging the community in a positive environmental effort. It’s beginner-friendly, requires minimal equipment, and offers a rewarding experience that sponsors love to support.

Why does it work?

People are motivated to sponsor activities that benefit the community and environment, especially when they see tangible results like cleaner parks or streets. The visible impact combined with a clear purpose encourages friends, family, and neighbours to donate generously.

What you'll need

Gloves (preferably reusable or disposable)
Litter pickers or grabbers
Strong rubbish bags
High-visibility vest
Sponsor forms or an online sponsorship page
First aid kit
Supportive adult or group to supervise (if under 16)

Step-by-step plan

1

Choose a safe, local area that could benefit from a litter pick, such as a park, beach, or neighbourhood streets.

2

Obtain permission from the local council or landowner if required, and check any local guidelines about litter picking.

3

Recruit friends, family, or fellow Scouts/DofE participants to join you for the litter pick day.

4

Gather all necessary equipment—gloves, litter pickers, rubbish bags, and high-visibility vests—and prepare a first aid kit for safety.

5

Create sponsorship forms or set up an online sponsorship page explaining your cause and the event details.

6

Reach out to potential sponsors—friends, family, neighbours, and community groups—asking them to support your effort with a donation.

7

On the day, wear your high-visibility vest, follow safety guidelines, and pick litter carefully with your team, collecting rubbish in bags.

8

Dispose of the collected litter responsibly, either by arranging a council collection or taking it to a local waste facility.

9

Thank your sponsors personally or via social media, update them on your progress, and let them know how their donations helped.

How to advertise it

Create a Facebook event and invite local friends and family.
Post updates and photos on Instagram and TikTok using local community hashtags.
Ask local shops or cafés to display your sponsorship poster.
Share your sponsorship link in community WhatsApp groups.
Reach out to your school or youth group to announce your event.

Realistic earnings

Most teenagers can expect to raise between £50 and £200 from a sponsored litter pick, depending on how many sponsors they secure and the size of their event.

Top tips

✅ Start asking for sponsorship early—don’t leave it until the last minute.

✅ Make your sponsorship forms easy to fill out and collect them promptly.

✅ Take plenty of photos on the day to show the impact and share with sponsors.

✅ Work with friends to make the litter pick more enjoyable and effective.

Common mistakes to avoid

⚠️ Not checking local rules about litter picking, which can cause delays or cancellations.

⚠️ Underestimating the amount of rubbish bags needed—bring extras just in case.

⚠️ Forgetting to follow safety guidelines, especially when picking near roads or water.