Fund raising is very much a dirty word with many people - but over the last eight years I have developed a very high regard and respect for those people who come up with inspired and not so inspired ways to raise funds.

Sponsored - this - that's and the others, seem to be a main stay among the young families, raising money for good causes.

Car Boot sales can raise amazing amounts.

Coffee Mornings and Dinner Parties and even Pub Parties.

Local schools are often looking for good causes especially Educational and Third World and often classes are looking for projects about African Countries.

Getting sponsorship from large and small companies and even banks may not be easy but can provide large sums for major projects, many are looking for African projects but need assurances that their funds will be fully accountable.

Julie recently secured a donation of £200 from her local branch of HSBC but the main office of HSBC turned down a request for £1000 start up funding the reason given was that the bank does not support African charities as the risk is too high. Hopefully over time we can persuade them that GES can be trusted to deliver.

I have only scratched the surface and hopefully GES fund raisers will come up with many other good ideas to raise funds in the future.

Fund raising initiatives must be self funding - so coming up with an idea to sell 'GES printed T shirts' although it may be excellent fund raiser cannot be financed at the front end by GES, we simply do not have the resources.

A fund raisers pack is currently being produced and will be available to members who want to help. Each fund raising initiative will be posted on the Website for publicity and will also serve as an ideas base for others to copy