The British Heart Foundation has launched a new campaign, Raise Funds Your Way, by unveiling its ten favourite quirky fundraising challenges.

BHF carried out a poll this year, which found that almost half of UK adults are more likely sponsor someone for a charity if they are doing something unique, unusual or challenging.

To promote the Raise Funds Your Way, BHF has revealed the 'top 10 quirkiest ways' people have fundraised for the charity. The top 10 includes: spacehopper racing, wearing lobster claws for 72 hours, truckers in tutus and an 81 year old wingwalking on a plane.

BHF is using clean graffiti, high-pressure steam washers using recycled water and stencils to create a message on dirty walls and pavement, on 60 secret London locations to show the top 10 events and encourage people to take part in the new campaign.

Tina Bajec, head of Raise Funds Your Way at the BHF, said: “We never cease to be amazed by the extraordinary lengths people go to fundraise for the BHF. Every contribution, big or small, plays a crucial part in every breakthrough we make so we are incredibly grateful for their support.” Free fundraising packs are available on the BHF website.

The BHF's top ten "quirkiest" fundraising activities

 

1. Spacehopper racing: Jenna Rogers, 14, from Broughton Astley, raised over £500 with a spacehopper race in memory of her dad Steve who died from undiagnosed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
2. Wearing lobster claws for 72 hours: Jack Smith, 22, from Coventry raised over £500 by wearing lobster claws on his hands for 72 hours.
3. Giving up something different every day for 3 weeks including wearing underwear, using knives and forks, taking selfies, etc: Alec Rickard, 23, from Cobham gave up something different every day for 3 weeks to raise money for the BHF. The 23 daily challenges included not using shampoo, wearing underwear, using knives and forks and even sitting down without permission.
4. Building a 26ft flower tower: Edward Hayes, 72, from Newport built a 26ft flower tower in front of his house to sell plants for the BHF. He hopes to raise £3,000.
5. Wingwalking on a plane at 81 years old: Dare-devil Jean Humphreys, 81, from Littlehampton took to the skies and stood on a plane flying at 90mph to raise money for the BHF in memory of her husband Brian.
6. Pirate themed promenade: Rebecca Sheppard, 33, from Felixstowe raised over £2,500 with a Pirates on the Prom fancy dress event.
7. Truckers in tutu: Lisa Power, a truck driver from Warwickshire, and 45 of her fellow truckers have raised almost £11,000 by wearing red tutus to work for the BHF.
8. Bath Tub Push: David and Irene Dickie from Ballymoney pushed a bathtub full of balloons around the town centre to raise money for the BHF. Journeying across 40 countries John Braybrooke and his son Peter from Tewkesbury drove 12,000 miles through 40 different countries to help support the BHF.
9. Journeying across 40 countries: John Braybrooke and his son Peter from Tewkesbury drove 12,000 miles through 40 different countries to help support the BHF.
10. Clothes swap shop: Nicolette Bosworth, from Lincoln, raised over £1,000 by organising a clothes swap shop after being diagnosed with the life-threatening heart rhythm disorder atrial fibrillation.