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Get your work colleagues involved, gather your friends and family, and reach out to any groups you're a part of.

It's all for a great cause!

The Big Knit 2025

What is the Big Knit?

The Big Knit is the campaign that Age UK runs in partnership with innocent drinks where we ask you to knit little woolly hats which then go on to their smoothies. For every smoothie sold, Age UK receives 30p.

This year, Age UK Maidstone, Sevenoaks and Tonbridge has the target of 10,000 hats

How to get involved

We’d love you to knit lots of lovely little hats for this year’s Big Knit and whether you’re a knitting novice or a purling pro, it couldn’t be easier.

Download the knitting patterns below, make yourself a nice cup of tea, find a comfy chair and knit away!

Hand in your hats

Once your little knitted creations are ready, drop them off or post them to:

Dairy Court

Fairview Farm

Linton Road

Maidstone

Kent

ME15 0AL

How does the Big Knit help?

The money we raise from the Big Knit helps us be there for older people who have no one else to turn to – so those little hats really do make a big difference!

 

What makes a good fundraising opportunity?


Anything can be a good fundraising opportunity - a dinner party, a film screening, van pulling or drastic haircuts. These are all fundraisers that have helped older people, but you might have some other ideas up your sleeve.

Is it going to be a sponsored activity or are you hosting an event?
What do you enjoy?
Where do your talents lie?
Can anyone help you?
Do think about how much time and effort you can spend on planning and organising the event. Remember, you're doing a good thing for charity, but it should be fun too.

5 popular fundraising events

1. The Great Cake Bake

Encourage your colleagues to bring in home-baked (or shop-bought) goodies to sell in the office. It’s a simple way to raise money and will perk up the morning coffee break.

2. Get quizzical
Quiz nights take place in pubs across the UK and are always popular. Why not organise your own and raise funds for Age UK Maidstone, Sevenoaks and Tonbridge?

3. Throw a party
Perhaps a themed dinner party, a murder mystery evening, games night, karaoke, barbeque – if it gets people together, it can be a fundraiser. Impress your guests with your hosting skills and charge them a small donation for the food or games.

4. Sponsored anything
Swim, walk, run, silence and pie eating! Most things can be sponsored so the choice is yours. What would your friends and colleague consider an absolute challenge or daring? Maybe they think you're inseparable from your iphone or unable to not get the car everywhere. Prove them wrong and some raise money for older people.

5. Go wild
Let your imagination run wild - the more creative the more publicity you may get and the more people might support you. So get that thinking cap on, is there a world record you could attempt or something that could involve all your work colleagues?

Take a look at our previous fundraisers to get some more inspiration.

We are here to help

We are here to help with advice, ideas and support as well as posters, collection tins, balloons and sponsorship forms. We can share tips on ranging from help getting things for free to how to market your fundraiser. Don't be shy give us a call!

Let us know what your plans are and how we can help you – drop us an email at fundraising@ageukmst.org.uk or call us on 01622 753618.

Previous fundraising events

  • Quiz Night at Madginford Hall

    Published on 15 October 2018 12:00 PM

    On Saturday 13th October we held a Quiz Night at Madginford Hall to raise funds for our dementia day care.

  • Christmas Caroling

    Published on 15 December 2017 11:53 AM

    A massive thanks to East Farleigh Primary School, all the children who sang so beautifully, parents and teachers Miss...

  • Winter Wonderland Fayre

    Published on 14 December 2017 03:09 PM

    ...''Simply, having a wonderful Christmas time''... We had a wonderful time on Saturday at The Goodman Centre's 'Wint...

  • Big Charity Brewery Gig 2017

    Published on 09 November 2017 03:33 PM

    On the 17th of June 2017 Age UK Maidstone hosted 'The BIG Charity Brewery Gig'. We had organised a tombola and a raff...

  • Custard Pie Championships

    Published on 09 November 2017 03:24 PM

    World Custard Pie Throwing Championships 2018   Our 'Custard-PIE-Rates' returned to take home the gold at this year’s...

  • Sky Diving Duo

    Published on 09 November 2017 02:09 PM

    ''Well, Saturday 13th 2017, is not going to be a day I'll forget anytime soon...'' We are pleased to announce that th...

More ways to fund raise

Give as you live

"Give as you Live" is a fundraising platform that enables individuals to support their favorite charities while shopping online. Users can register on the Give as you Live platform and then shop through their website. This allows you to raise money for Age UK Maidstone, Sevenoaks and Tonbridge, while you shop online - at no cost to you!

You won't pay any extra for the items compared to your regular purchases. With Give as you Live, you can effortlessly contribute an average of 2.5% of every pound you spend online to Age UK Maidstone, Sevenoaks, and Tonbridge, simply by doing your usual online shopping

Start raising free funds today!