Promoting your fundraiser in the local media

Approaching local media is a fantastic way to raise awareness of your incredible fundraising journey and Anaphylaxis UK.

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Sharing your story and fundraising efforts with your regional media can be a powerful way to help others – a parent of a newly diagnosed child with a serious allergy may read your story and then calls Anaphylaxis UK’s Helpline for advice, or a young person living with allergies may want to become a volunteer for us, or a child may be inspired to fundraise and host an allergy-friendly cake bake at school. And, hopefully, the kindness of strangers will boost your fundraising pot with a few extra pennies and pounds.

If you are thinking about reaching out to your local newspaper, radio station, or regional news team, here are some useful tips to consider:

  • Before contacting your local media, plan what you’re going to say. Include all the facts, but keep it relatively short and sweet;

 

  • Ring ahead of sharing your story to get the name of the person you should be talking to. For local newspapers, find out the publishing day and deadlines;

 

  • Sharing powerful experiences and emotions can have a big impact on inspiring and motivating the public to support you. However, remember that you can share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with – don’t be afraid to respond to a difficult question with “I’m not comfortable sharing that”;

 

  • If you’re asked a question by the journalist or researcher that you don’t know the answer to, it’s ok to answer “I’m not sure”. No need to guess or speculate – the media team can reach out to our Press team, if needed, to clarify any unknowns;

 

  • Newspapers will want compelling photos. Please obtain image consent from the parent/guardian of under 18s (if featured in a photo). Think about good lighting, the background, and any Anaphylaxis UK branding (e.g. a t-shirt we’ve mailed out to you!). Send as a jpeg attachment;

 

  • If you wish to use Anaphylaxis UK’s logo, please get in touch with our Press team: press@anaphylaxis.org.uk;

 

  • If you’re emailing your story, subject lines are important so use something that will catch their eye;

 

Here are some allergy statistics and information about Anaphylaxis UK, should you wish to mention when talking to the media:

  • There are up to 3 million people in the UK living with allergies. Up to 8% of children and up to 2% of adults are affected;

 

  • Over the last two decades, allergic diseases have become alarmingly common and are continuing to grow. Hospital admissions due to allergies and anaphylaxis have doubled in the last 20 years;

 

  • On average, two children in every classroom have a food allergy and 20% of food allergy reactions happen at school;

 

  • 1 in 3 children with food allergies report bullying. Even in adulthood, almost 40% of people report bullying because of their allergies;

 

  • Almost 4 in 10 (39%) of parents of food allergic children have ‘moderate to extremely severe anxiety’

 

  • Anaphylaxis UK is the only UK-wide charity operating solely for the growing numbers of people at risk of serious allergic reactions and anaphylaxis;

 

  • For 30 years, Anaphylaxis UK (formerly The Anaphylaxis Campaign) has been striving for a brighter future for people living with serious allergies and offer evidence-based information for individuals and their families, for businesses and for schools and other places of education;

 

  • Monies raised can do so much for someone at risk from a serious allergic reaction and anaphylaxis. From supporting the parents of a newly diagnosed child with evidence-based advice and emotional support from our Helpline team, to developing resources and training courses for schools and healthcare providers to empower staff with the knowledge and confidence to keep those in their care safe. Their services continue to be inundated with queries and requests for support as the number of people at risk of serious allergic reactions and anaphylaxis increases.

Please remember that there is no pressure or expectation to use local media. We understand that every story is personal, and you may not feel comfortable reflecting on the challenging times and sharing emotions with the public. The choice is completely yours, and we will support you either way.

Our Press team is here to support you with any media-related questions

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