12 Festive fundraising ideas with Nicole Quirk

Hello! I’m Nicole, the Fundraising Manager for North Wales. As Christmas fast approaches, it’s a wonderful time to make a difference for the people of Wales by taking part in a festive-themed fundraiser.

Whether you’re at work, school, or home, there are plenty of creative and festive ways to give back this season and support Cancer Research Wales.

Here are 12 festive ideas to help make a real difference while enjoying the holiday spirit!

Festive fundraising: 12 fun ways to support us this Christmas

1. Christmas jumper day

Dig out your most dazzling (or dreadful!) Christmas jumper and get your friends, family, or colleagues involved. Collect donations for everyone who joins in the fun and don’t forget to share your festive photos with us by tagging @cancerresearchwales

2. Gift-wrapping station

Do you have a talent for wrapping gifts? Set up a festive wrapping station at work, school, or your home. Offer to wrap presents in exchange for a small donation.

3. Festive bake sale

From mince pies to gingerbread men, and everything in between. Organise a bake sale and ask for donations per slice, pie or biscuit.

4. Crafty competitions

Are you a Christmas tree decorator extraordinaire? Do you have some crafty kids at home? Host a festive competition for the best decorated tree and homemade Christmas card. Charge a small entry fee and showcase the winning design on your social media accounts and tag @cancerresearchwales

5. Santa dash

Join a local Santa dash or create your own! Wear a red suit and get sponsored to run, jog, or walk your way to the finish line.

6. Christmas quiz night

Put your festive knowledge to the test and host a quiz night full of festive trivia, with a donation for your entry fee. You could also do a raffle on the night with donated items.

7. Christmas concert

Organise a festive concert or carol night. Invite friends, family, or colleagues to attend in exchange for a donation.

8. Donate your last hour’s pay

Consider donating your final hour’s pay of 2025 to support our Cancer Research, right here in Wales.

9. Donate your time or pre-loved items

Do you have a spare couple of hours this festive period? You could volunteer in one of our shops or donate some of your pre-loved items. Better still, browse the shelves yourself and pick up some gifts for your friends and family from our charity shops.

10. Sponsor your New Year’s resolution

Planning to take on a challenge in 2026? Whether it’s running a marathon or giving up chocolate, get sponsored to stick to your resolution.

11. Festive movie marathon

Host a Christmas movie night (or day!) featuring all the classics. Charge a small entry fee, make some popcorn, and get comfy for your festive fundraiser.

12. Secret Santa for Cancer Research Wales

Put a charitable spin on your secret Santa! Instead of buying gifts, everyone donates the amount they would have spent to fund our life-saving research in Wales.

This Christmas, whatever you can raise, your efforts can help buy precious time for cancer patients right here in Wales.

We all wish for a little more time at Christmas. Thanks to pioneering research funded by Wales’ only cancer research charity, and supporters like you, more families are getting exactly that: more time for cuddles, more laughs, more love - more time together.