Fundraisers Archives - First Light

How to Send Us Your Fundraising Money

Make a Difference

The money you raise helps us support thousands of adults and children to live safer lives and rediscover hope. By paying in your donations, you’re making a real and lasting difference.

By Post

If you’re sending a cheque, please make it payable to ‘First Light’ and post it to:

First Light
The Business Centre
2 Cattedown Road
Plymouth
PL4 0EG

Please include a note with your name and details of your fundraising so we can link your donation correctly.

By Bank Transfer

To arrange a bank transfer, please email us at hello@firstlight.org.uk and we’ll provide you with our bank details.

Make sure to include a clear reference with your transfer so we can identify your fundraising contribution.

How to set up your First Light Just Giving page

Whatever you choose to do to raise money, JustGiving is a trusted platform used by charities around the world. It’s a simple and secure way to manage your donations and sponsorship.

Follow these quick steps to set up your fundraising page and start collecting donations from family, friends, and colleagues:

Visit justgiving.com/firstlight and click Start fundraising to begin.
Log in to your JustGiving account, or create one if you’re new to the platform.
Choose your fundraising type — whether you’re taking part in an event, celebrating an occasion, fundraising in memory, or doing your own thing.
If your event isn’t listed, select Add your own and tell us a bit more about your plans.
Pick your page link — this is the web address you’ll share with supporters.
When asked about receiving donations in return for goods or services:
- Tick Yes if you’re selling tickets, running a raffle, or auctioning items (note: these donations won’t be eligible for Gift Aid).
- Tick No for all other types of fundraising.
When asked if your charity is contributing to the cost of your fundraising:
- Tick No, unless First Light have agreed to subsidising your event in anyway.
Click Create your page — and you’re ready to go!

Did You Know?

You can add offline donations to your JustGiving total. Just go to Edit your page, then click Edit next to Raised offline in the Donations made to your page section, and enter the amount.

Ways to Boost Your Donations

Here are a few tips to help maximise your impact:

Tell your story: Share why you’re fundraising for First Light and what it means to you. A personal story can inspire more donations.
Share your page: Use email and social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) to spread the word.
Add photos: Fundraisers who include images raise 14% more on average. JustGiving will also prompt you to post updates — a great way to show your progress.
Set a target: It motivates you and shows supporters how close you are to reaching your goal.

Need Help?

If you’d like support setting up your page, or if you already have a JustGiving page and would like us to share it, please fill in the form below, we’ll be happy to help and promote your fundraising.

For any questions or support with your fundraising activity, get in touch with us using the form below.

Cornwall Man Vs Coast 2025

Saturday 5th July 2025

This trail adventure is a breathtaking 25 mile route taking in high cliffs, brooding moorland, picture-perfect beaches, crashing waves, big swells, rough-hewn rocks, water jumps, short swims and a few cheeky surprises.

With a stunning start-line at St Michael’s Mount, the route will weave its way coast to coast from one side of the Cornish peninsula to the other, taking in a course that is exciting beyond belief. This is one for the adventurer who wants to make a weekend of it.

To find out more about the event and register your place, click here.

Once you’ve registered, you can then get going with your fundraising! To find out how to set up your First Light JustGiving fundraising page, click here.

Plymouth Run Fundraiser Smashes Target, Raising Over £3,500 For First Light

First Light is delighted to announce the resounding success of the recent Plymouth Run fundraising event, held on Sunday 28th April. A total of 13 dedicated runners, including First Light staff, service users, and teams from our charity partners, took on the challenge of the Half Marathon, 5k, and 10k races, all coming together for a common cause.

Despite the challenge of the course and the unpredictable April weather, the runners showed unwavering commitment, spurred on by the knowledge that their efforts were making a tangible difference in the lives of those in need. Their dedication paid off as they surpassed their fundraising target, collectively raising an impressive total of £3,640 (so far!).

Anna Mitchell, First Light’s Fundraising Officer, expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support: “The response to the Plymouth Run has been amazing! The enthusiasm and generosity of our runners, supporters, and the local community have been truly inspiring. A huge congratulations and thank you to all those who took part. Every donation will enable us to continue providing essential support services to those affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence.”

Among the participants were individuals with personal connections to the cause, including service users who have benefited firsthand from First Light’s support. Reflecting on her experience, one of the runners shared: “I ran the Plymouth Half Marathon to raise money for First Light as they helped me through the toughest time of my life; I am so grateful that because of them, I finally feel control over my own body and am able to run and raise money for such an incredible cause.

I’m feeling very, very proud and super pleased with myself as when I started in January, I could only just do a 5k.”

Other participants included teams from Venton Ltd and The Lost Gardens of Heligan, who are First Lights Charity of The Year partners for 2024.

Sophie Turton, Conference Centre Manager at Venton Ltd said: “Having the opportunity to take part in the event was a fantastic opportunity for the team at Venton. Not only have we been able to raise vital funds for the charity as part of our Charity of the Year Partnership, but the sense of achievement having completed (and ran) the whole 5K course was fantastic. The atmosphere was incredible, and we couldn’t have asked for more support from the First Light team to cheer us on.”

Rebecca Miles, Head of Marketing at The Lost Gardens of Heligan said: “I was delighted to support First Light, Heligan’s chosen charity, at the Plymouth Half Marathon this weekend. It’s a fantastic – albeit challenging – event and I’m so proud the Heligan team have raised awareness and vital funds of over £1,680 for such an important local charity.”

Runners prepare for Plymouth challenge to support First Light

A team of runners are preparing for the Plymouth Run on Sunday 14 May to support people whose lives have been affected by domestic abuse or sexual violence.

Five people are entering the 5k, 10k and half marathon in aid of First Light, the charity which provides support services across the South West, including a sexual violence therapy and counselling service in Plymouth.

The team is made up of staff, supporters and former service users, who all know how vitally important the charity’s work is for victims-survivors of abuse.

Toni Clark, a former service user with First Light, said: “I actually hate running! I ran the 10k in 2017, and always wanted to do it again, but never really found myself in a position to do so. After all the help I received from First Light, I really wanted to give something back as I feel like they helped give me my life back. For that I owe them everything.”

Anna Mitchell, Fundraising Officer at First Light is running the half marathon. She said: “I personally want to wish all of our runners and walkers the very best of luck. They are all taking on a huge personal challenge -including myself as I am not a runner- and have been training for weeks and months for Sunday’s race.

“Every one of our amazing fundraisers plays a huge part in life-changing work First Light does and we couldn’t do it without them. If you’re attending the event, please look out for our t-shirts and give us a big cheer!”

So far, the team has collectively raised £1,470. They are hoping to receive even more support over the next few days to try and reach their £2,500 fundraising target. Support the team here.

Plymouth Run 2025

Sunday 11th May 2025

Conquer the iconic Plymouth 5k / 10k / Half and run through the beautiful streets of Britain’s Ocean City. Challenge yourself and experience the thrill of crossing the finish line with thousands of fellow runners.

To find out more about the event and register your place, click here.

Once you’ve registered, you can then get going with your fundraising! To find out how to set up your First Light JustGiving fundraising page, click here.

Swindon Half 2025

Sunday 28th September 2025

This half-marathon takes participants through Swindon and surrounding countryside, past the villages of Wanborough, Badbury and Medbourne. The closed road course is mostly flat for the first 5 miles, with miles 5-10 undulating before heading downhill towards the finish.

To find out more about the event and register your place, click here.

Once you’ve registered, you can then get going with your fundraising! To find out how to set up your First Light JustGiving fundraising page, click here.

Team First Light complete Inflatable 5k in Exeter

On Saturday 16th October Team First Light completed an Inflatable 5K in Exeter to have fun and raise vital funds for First Light.

All 11 members had an exceptional afternoon and flooded the course with their orange, white and blue First Light t-shirts, making people stop and look at who they were running for.

As well as First Light staff, their children also adorned their gym kit to take part and get involved, and it certainly was an afternoon full of laughs and smiles raising money to support those who would benefit from our support to live a life free of domestic abuse or sexual violence.

We are delighted to announce that the team have raised a phenomenal £370 for First Light, £70 over the original target.

Please support us to help others by making any small donation you can. Together we can create a safer South West, where everyone has the opportunity to live free of violence and abuse.

To make a donation please click here.

If you would like to take part and get involved in a challenge for First Light, please email hello@firstlight.org.uk for more information.