Last updated February 22, 2017
Pancake Day is also called Shrove Tuesday, and is the last day of feasting before Lent begins. In New Zealand, Pancake Day is still taking shape, but in the UK it is a big deal already. Given we have so many English people now living in New Zealand, maybe it’s time we utilise the day as a fundraising opportunity. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Pancake Race
Racing down the streets while tossing a pancake has become something of a strange fundraising tradition, especially in the UK, the home of silly food based events. It takes a bit of organising, but is a great way to get a community together and promote your organisation. Entrants pay to run, bring their own pans, pancakes and fancy dress outfit. The course should not be long, but consider some obstacles and compulsory toss points are a must! Winners get a prize and the honour of being a pancake racing champion. Spot prizes and raffles could also help bring in the cash.
Flip-Athon
However you choose to do it, getting people together to share the joy of pancakes has got to be good fun. The record for the highest pancake toss was set in the USA in 2010, while the most pancake tosses in a minute happened in Sydney, Australia. You could try and break the record for the most number of people simultaneously flipping at once, or the tallest stack of pancakes, or even a pancake eating competition. They don’t need to be Guinness World records, but part of an annual event for your organisation that gets people involved and having fun.
Pancake Sale
Making perfect pancakes is actually pretty tricky, especially without the right pan. So why not offer a pancake making service for the day? You could bag up pikelets and sell them at your local school or community house, or sell pancake mix with recipes as a quick an easy fundraiser. Having a pancake cook-off and party could also be a great way to thank volunteers.
Rosie Julou
Rosie is the General Manager at Exult and works behind the scenes planning, organising and making everything run smoothly. She is passionate about working in the community sector.
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