Proof That It's Possible 🌍
Every fundraiser on this page started exactly where you are now — with a big target, no idea where to begin, and a mix of excitement and nerves. Read their stories, steal their strategies, and remember: if they can do it, so can you.
👆 Swipe to see more
Jake, 17
Leeds, West Yorkshire
Camps International🌍 Destination: Kenya
"I honestly thought there was no way I could raise £4,500. But once I broke it down into smaller chunks and started getting local businesses involved, it suddenly felt doable."
How Jake raised his money
💡 Jake's Top Tip
"Don't be embarrassed to ask local businesses for sponsorship. The worst they can say is no — and most of them said yes. I got £1,200 from just three local companies."
Sophie, 16
Bristol, Avon
World Challenge🏔️ Destination: Nepal
"Baking was my thing anyway, so turning it into a business just made sense. I started small — cakes at school — and by the end I had a proper order list every week."
How Sophie raised her money
💡 Sophie's Top Tip
"Set up a JustGiving page from day one and share it everywhere. I was surprised how many people donated just from seeing a Facebook post my mum shared."
Mia, 16
Edinburgh, Scotland
WSJ South Korea🇰🇷 Destination: South Korea (World Scout Jamboree)
"The cashback thing sounds boring but honestly it was the easiest money I raised. I just got my whole family on easyfundraising and reminded them every time they were booking anything."
How Mia raised her money
💡 Mia's Top Tip
"Get every family member signed up to easyfundraising — grandparents, aunts, uncles, everyone. When they book holidays, car insurance, or do their weekly shop, you earn cashback for free. My family raised £740 without doing anything extra."
Ethan, 17
Manchester, Greater Manchester
True Adventure🌴 Destination: Costa Rica
"I used social media properly — not just posting 'please donate' but actually documenting my training and making it entertaining. People started following my journey and the donations came naturally."
How Ethan raised his money
💡 Ethan's Top Tip
"Make your social media posts about the journey, not just the money. Share your training, your prep, why you're going. People donate to people they feel connected to — not just to a JustGiving link."
Chloe, 15
Cardiff, Wales
Global Action🌿 Destination: Borneo
"I started making resin art as a hobby and realised I could sell it. I set up an Etsy shop and did local markets at weekends. It took consistency but the money added up faster than I expected."
How Chloe raised her money
💡 Chloe's Top Tip
"Turn a hobby into a business. If you already enjoy making something, you're halfway there. I was making resin art anyway — I just started charging for it. The hardest part was believing people would actually pay."
Tom, 18
Norwich, Norfolk
Camps International🏛️ Destination: Cambodia
"I taught myself basic website design on YouTube and started offering it to local small businesses. Within three months I had four clients and had raised over £2,000 from that alone."
How Tom raised his money
💡 Tom's Top Tip
"Think about what skills you have that people would pay for. I had no idea anyone would pay me for websites until I just asked. Also — apply for grants. Most people don't bother, which means less competition."
Amara, 16
Birmingham, West Midlands
World Challenge🦁 Destination: Tanzania
"I blended my own herbal teas and sold them at markets and online. One of my TikTok videos went a bit viral and I suddenly had 200 orders in a week. It was stressful but amazing."
How Amara raised her money
💡 Amara's Top Tip
"Don't underestimate TikTok. I wasn't trying to go viral — I just filmed myself making tea and talked about why I was raising money. Be authentic and consistent and the audience will come."
Jess, 17
Raised £5,700
World Challenge🏔️ Destination: Nepal
"I started with a bake sale and ended up with a business sponsorship and two grants. Ways2Raise showed me that fundraising isn't one big thing — it's lots of small things adding up."
How Jess raised her money
💡 Jess's Top Tip
"Don't try to raise it all at once. Break it down into monthly targets and pick two or three ideas that suit you. Consistency beats intensity every time."
Marcus, 16
Raised £3,500
Scout Expedition🌋 Destination: Iceland
"I spent 5.5 hours on grant applications and got £650 back. That's better than any Saturday job. The Grant Finder on Ways2Raise showed me where to look — I'd never have found them on my own."
How Marcus raised his money
💡 Marcus's Top Tip
"Apply for grants. Seriously. Most people don't bother, which means less competition. I got £650 from two applications and it took less time than a shift at work."
Amara, 17
Raised £4,200
DofE Gold🌍 Destination: Kenya
"I used the Skills Lab to make my fundraising posters and social media content. My Instagram post got shared hundreds of times and raised over £500 in a single weekend."
How Amara raised her money
💡 Amara's Top Tip
"Tell your story. People don't donate to a fundraising page — they donate to a person with a dream. Be specific about where you're going and why it matters to you."