How to support RCEM with fundraising and our charitable work.
Emergency Medicine is facing many challenges. A lack of resources and increasing demand for care means that Emergency Departments and the profession are having to focus on simply maintaining their current levels of service rather than developing and further improving the quality of care they provide.
To ensure the long-term sustainability of Emergency Medicine and support the continual improvement of patient care, we need to enable staff to explore ways of doing this. By facilitating research into how we deliver treatment and into improving the efficacy of the medicine we provide to patients, we can help to improve emergency care and recovery times.
Over recent years the College has, from a limited budget, committed funding to supporting research. While this is welcome, much more needs to be done. We believe that research opportunities should be open to all Emergency Medicine clinicians and embedded at all levels of training. However, at present our limited resources mean we cannot make this vision a reality.
Across the world, particularly in low income countries, we are seeing great efforts to adopt Emergency Medicine models of care. We want to do more to support and develop clinical training and Emergency Medicine care in these countries.
We want to make changes to further improve patient care, to support ground breaking research and help low income countries establish emergency care and clinical training. That is why we have set up RCEM Fundraising.
Gifts to the RCEM are eligible for Gift Aid.
Choose how you would like to donate:
+ Copenhagen Marathon 2024: Dr McLaughlin runs for RCEM glory in Denmark
24 April 2024
As the weather (hopefully!) warms up, running season is well and truly upon us and we are delighted to share that another of our Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) members, Dr Anthony McLaughlin, is taking up the baton and running for College glory.
On Sunday 5th May, Anthony will be representing RCEM in Denmark as he runs the Copenhagen Marathon. Passing iconic landmarks such as Rosenborg Castle, the Marble Church, Tivoli and Kongens Nytorv, hopefully they provide welcome distraction from those long miles.
Whilst Anthony is a sports lover in general, including skiing in winter and playing cricket in summer, he is relatively new to running which makes taking on the impressive feat of a marathon even more remarkable.
“Apart from an incredibly short athletics career at school (one race!), I dabbled with running like most people during lockdown. In October last year, after reflecting on a particularly immobile cricket season, which at times felt like I was towing a caravan, I bought a Garmin and started running. I love putting my trainers on (that I’ve excessively researched) and sticking my headphones in and just plodding along to a great podcast or some cheesy tunes.”
Currently an ST4 Emergency Medicine Registrar in the Severn Deanery, Anthony began his career in Emergency Medicine by studying at the University of Birmingham, graduating in 2014. After completing his undergraduate years in the West Midlands, he then stayed on and worked as a locum mainly in ED in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham until 2020. He then moved to Cheltenham and started his ACCS training in the Severn Deanery.
As many of our members acknowledge, combining life in the ED with all other aspects of life is a constant juggle but many also somehow relish taking on additional challenges, as Anthony says: “Being a full-time trainee is difficult. Balancing everything is almost impossible. So, I thought why not throw in loads of running!”
Anthony has chosen to raise funds for RCEM, noting the challenges the specialty faces especially in recent years: “Since the pandemic EM is a tough place to work, every department in the country has its struggles. Supporting the team at RCEM to come up with ways of improving patient care and supporting us as clinicians is something we must all get behind.”
Contribute to Anthony’s RCEM run and support his fundraising efforts for RCEM by visiting his JustGiving page. Your donation can make a real difference in supporting emergency care in low-income countries and advancing medical research programmes and well-being support for EM staff in the UK.
UPDATE: Anthony completed the marathon in an impressive time of 3 hours and 53 minutes. Congratulations from everyone at RCEM! Below is a picture he sent us of him running in the Copenhagen Marathon:
27 September 2023
Lacing up his running shoes for the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) is Dr Luke Iddon, a dedicated emergency medicine consultant with over 20 years of experience, who has contributed significantly to the field of emergency medicine throughout his career.
He will be donning an RCEM shirt on 8 October to represent us at The Royal Parks Half Marathon 2023 which threads its way through the beauty and majesty of four Royal Parks and iconic landmarks including Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, and the Royal Albert Hall.
When not running or practicing medicine, Luke enjoys living in Cheltenham and working in the emergency department (ED) of both Cheltenham and Gloucester Hospitals. He finds solace in the natural beauty of the area and frequently explores the great outdoors and is very prepared for what is to come with the charity run.
“I recently embarked on a ‘bikepacking’ adventure in the Southeast of England that covered the King Alfred way,” explains Luke. “This is a 350-kilometer route which travels through 10,000 years of history, connecting Stonehenge and both Salisbury and Winchester Cathedrals while riding through picturesque English countryside. The experience is wholesome because it’s not only great for exercise, but as an important social activity with friends.”
Running has been a go-to method for unwinding and relieving stress for Luke and he strongly advocates for it, due to the profound impact physical activity has on mental well-being and overall health. He is also driven by a desire to give back to the College and the causes it supports.
“One of the driving forces behind my involvement with RCEM is the college’s relentless advocacy for patients and staff,” says Luke. “RCEM firmly believe in enhancing emergency care, improving working conditions, and securing increased investment in the field.
“With winter approaching, there is a critical need for these efforts to ensure the best possible care for patients. I encourage everyone to embrace physical activity in whatever form suits them best, whether it’s walking, running, or any other outdoor pursuit.”
Luke began his journey as a junior doctor, and his passion for emergency medicine has only grown stronger with time. Over the years he has actively engaged with the RCEM, participating in various aspects of the College, including examinations, training, and attending study days, which he finds is an excellent way to network with others.
His commitment to advancing his skills and knowledge has been unwavering, with roles as a College examiner and also sitting on appointment committees for consultant posts.
Beyond his devotion to emergency medicine, keeping active and his family commitments, Luke holds a deep aspiration to contribute to global health, and while he acknowledges that his current responsibilities may not allow for international work, he wants to do what he can through running for the RCEM.
“I would love to see other RCEM members and any other healthcare professionals cheering me on during the half marathon as unfortunately my family can’t make it,” says Luke.
“If you wish to donate to support my efforts, you’re not only contributing to emergency medicine in the UK but also helping improve emergency departments in low-income countries worldwide.
“There is a great deal of dedication, passion, and spirit of giving that make the medical community so extraordinary and that is what will be really pushing me on through this run.”
Contribute to Luke’s RCEM run and support his fundraising efforts for RCEM by visiting his JustGiving page. Your donation can make a real difference in supporting emergency care in low-income countries and advancing medical research programmes and well-being support for EM staff in the UK.
+ Leave a Legacy to Support the Future of Emergency Medicine
Building on our work to support, inform and champion the emergency medical needs of the population, we want to go even further to ensure the long-term sustainability of Emergency Medicine and support the continual improvement of patient care through research.
We are asking our members help us grow our Fundraising Fund by remembering our work in their wills, so that we can further improve patient care, to support ground-breaking research and help low income countries establish emergency care and clinical training.
Leaving a gift in your Will is an ideal way of ensuring that your vital contribution to Emergency Medicine will continue.
Whilst there are many ways to leave a Legacy, you may choose to leave all or a portion of what is left in your estate after making provision for loved ones (known as a ‘residual’ legacy), giving you peace of mind that you have taken care of your family first and foremost.
Because your donation will either be taken off the value of your estate before Inheritance Tax is calculated or will reduce your Inheritance Tax rate (if more than 10% of your estate is left to charity), the value of your legacy to the College will be maximised, whilst the tax burden of your estate will be reduced.
A legacy from you to RCEM Fundraising will enable us to:
For example:
If you choose to leave a Legacy to The Royal College of Medicine Fundraising Fund, we will take good care of your gift to us and ensure it is ring fenced for the purpose set out in your will. In the future, as now, we pledge to always put patient care first, and ensure that principle continues to drive all of our work.
Unless you advise otherwise, we will also commemorate your support by acknowledging your donation in an appropriate context, which could include our website, annual report, future Legacy literature, or more. If you advise in advance, we can do this in the name of your loved ones if you prefer.
You can either draw up a new Will, or create a Codicil to add to your existing Will. We have provided some suggested wording below, although please note we recommend that changes to your Will should always be drawn up with a fully qualified legal advisor.
Remember that any Will or Codicil must be witnessed by two independent witnesses at the same time. Nobody who benefits under the Will can be a witness.
Yes – you can request how your money is spent by The Royal College of Emergency Medicine. However, leaving a Legacy for us to use in the way we feel best allows us to target funds where they are most needed at any given time. Therefore if possible, identifying simply a broad area of interest (research/patient care/work in low income countries) or – even better – choosing ‘general purposes’, will ensure your bequest has the greatest possible impact.
There are three types of Legacy you can leave:
“I give to The Royal College of Medicine (Registered charity no. 1122689), Octavia House, 54 Ayres Street, London, SE1 1EU:
for its (please select) general purposes (preferred) / research / patient care / work in low income countries
and I declare that the receipt of the Treasurer or other duly authorised officer of The Royal College of Emergency Medicine shall be a full and sufficient discharge.”
If you decide to leave a gift to The Royal College of Emergency Medicine we would appreciate you letting us know – this will ensure that after you have made your pledge you will be offered the opportunity to receive information about our activities and future fundraising plans.
It will also enable us to discuss opportunities for recognising your support and creating a lasting memorial in your name or that of a loved one.
We know that writing a Will is a private matter and needs time and consideration. It’s one of the most important things you’ll do and we hope you’ve find our guide useful in coming to some decisions about making or amending your Will. Your gift – large or small – really will make a difference.
We hope you’ll consider supporting RCEM Fundraising in this very special way. For more information on leaving a legacy to us in your will, or other ways to support our work, please contact Dr John Heyworth, Fundraising Chair, The Royal College of Emergency Medicine, Octavia House, 54 Ayres Street, London, SE1 1EU or email fundraising.chair@rcem.ac.uk.
Make a difference in your own way. Fundraising or supporting our charitable work is your chance to support RCEM and the work that we do. Help us ensure patients visiting A&E receive the best possible care and support the staff that work on the frontline. Support us to fund vital, lifesaving research that will have a lasting impact for years to come. Allow us to support emergency departments in low-income countries to promote equality in healthcare. With your help, we can make a difference today. Whether it’s climbing a mountain, baking biscuits, supporting an appeal or leaving a gift in your will, there are lots of ways to get involved and support us your way.
If you are looking for ideas, inspiration, materials or support, this page has everything you need to get started.
Your support allows us to fund our vital work and make a lasting impact on people’s lives. Help us ensure patients visiting A&E have the best quality of care, and that Emergency Department teams have all the support that they need, from wellbeing services to training. Support our work with Emergency Medicine departments internationally in low-income countries, promoting equality in healthcare and equal opportunities for staff. You can make a valuable difference today.
RCEM works to support patients and doctors using and working in A&E both in the UK and in low-income countries around the world to ensure they have access to the best quality of care. We support doctors in Emergency Medicine departments through training and wellbeing support to help them be the best they can be. We fund vital medical research that changes lives and run programmes that identify where improvements can be made in Emergency Medicine departments nationally to make a lasting impact for years to come.
+ Gift Aid
Gift Aid
Gift Aid allows UK charities to claim back the basic rate tax already paid on donations by the donor. This means we can claim back from the government on your behalf 25p for every £1 donated, boosting the value of the donation by a quarter.
When a UK taxpayer gives a gift of money to a charity, tax has already been paid on that money. We can claim this money back from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and add it to our fundraising efforts.
We can claim Gift Aid on all donations that you have made now, in the future and in the past 4 years.
Gift Aid can only be claimed on donations from UK taxpayers, as long as the donation is your own money and is not part of a collection or corporate donation.
If you are a UK taxpayer, please consider saying yes to Gift Aid.
We have places available at events throughout the year which you can read about below. If you would like to get involved in any upcoming events to take part and fundraise or cheer and support on the day, please contact fundraising at fundraising@rcem.ac.uk.
London Landmarks Half Marathon April 2022
Future events:
Royal Parks Half Marathon October 2022
London Landmarks Half Marathon April 2023 (TBC)
London Landmarks Half Marathon 2022
On 3rd April 2022, five RCEM runners were among the 12,000 who ran 13.1 miles around the streets of London in the fifth edition of the London Landmarks Half Marathon 2022.
Amongst them were five runners fundraising to support funds for our charitable work, supporting Emergency Medicine departments internationally in low-income countries, medical research programmes and well-being support for EM staff in the UK.
The London Landmarks Half Marathon 2022 was the first fundraising event where RCEM have participated as a charity partner. Our runners all successfully completed the route which showcases the best of London, with runners passing iconic landmarks including Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral, Nelson’s Column, the Gherkin, the Shard and the Tower of London.
Our runners were supported and cheered on throughout the course by our very own RCEM cheer squad. It was a fantastic atmosphere on a bright but chilly morning and our runners were all amazing, all managing to surpass their fundraising targets and raising an incredible £2415!
If you would like to take part in events like this one, please get in touch with us at fundraising@rcem.ac.uk
The easiest way to fundraise for RCEM is to set up an online fundraising page.
You can customise with photos and updates, tell everyone you know and watch your donation total rise! Our preferred platform is JustGiving: www.justgiving.com/royalcollegeofemergencymedicine
Follow these simple steps for success:
It can take us a few weeks to process your donations once we have received them, but as soon as we do receive your donation you will receive a thank you email by way of receipt.
As a registered charity, RCEM can claim back an extra 25p on every £1 donated to us in gift aid. For us to be able to claim gift aid you need to check the sponsor or donator is a UK tax payer, record their home address, postcode, donation amount and make sure they tick the Gift Aid box on your sponsor form or donation web page. Just Giving allows donors to opt in for gift aid automatically which makes it easy and straight forward to process.
Fundraising ideas and inspiration
A-Z of fundraising ideas for events and activities to get you thinking of fun and interesting ways to get support for your fundraising!
A – Auction
B – Bake sale
C – Coffee Morning
D – Dinner party
E – Easter egg hunt
F – Fancy dress day
G – Games night
H – Head shave
I – International evening/day
J – Jewellery making
K – Karaoke
L – Luncheon
M – Movie night
N – Nature walk
O – Office collection
P – Pamper day
Q – Quiz night
R – Raffle
S – Sweepstakes
T – Tuck shop
U – Uniform free day
V – Vintage sale
W – Walk
X – X-Box/Gaming night
Y – Yoga
Z – Zumba
Fundraising – keeping it legal
First Aid
If you are holding an event involving lots of people, it is a good idea to have first aid supplies on hand and qualified first aiders if possible. You can get advice from St John Ambulance or the Red Cross.
Public collections
Collections can be a fun way to raise donations and awareness for RCEM, but first consider these useful guidelines:
Raffles
Holding a raffle is a great way to increase donations from your event.
Large Scale Raffles
If you are holding a large-scale raffle you may need to obtain a small lotteries licence. You will need to contact your local authority to get this licence. You must not:
Small Raffles
If you hold a small raffle on the day of your event you do not have to get a special licence as long as:
Liquor licensing rules
If you wish to sell alcohol at an event you must be licensed. If you need to apply for an occasional liquor licence, it is easier to approach an existing licensee and ask them to apply for you. You do not need your own licence if you are holding an event in a building that already has a licensed bar.
Fundraising with food
To keep everyone safe, it is a good idea to check the Food Standards Agency guidelines on preparing, handling, cooking & storing food.
Insurance
If your event involves the general public, you might want to consider investing in Public Liability Insurance. Check first to see if your venue already has this.
Using the RCEM logo
If you would like to use the RCEM logo when promoting your event, please ensure that your event is advertised as ‘event, in aid of The Royal College of Emergency Medicine’.
Letter of authority
We will provide you with a letter of authority upon request showing that we are aware of and support your fundraising. This letter does not constitute official permission for any fundraising activities, and you must obtain any permits/licences from relevant authorities.
Under 18’s legal guidelines
If you are under 18 and holding a fundraising event, there are certain things that you will need help with. You should always ask an adult to help you with your fundraising to make sure you are safe.
There are some things that you cannot do if you do not have an adult to help you. These things are:
Need more help?
We won’t swap your personal information with other charities or sell it to third parties.
The RCEM Foundation Fund is operated by The Royal College of Emergency Medicine whose principal office address is Octavia House, 54 Ayres Street, London SE1 1EU. Monies raised are held in a ‘restricted fund’, which is a fund designated for the purposes of: 1) Supporting the College’s activities designed to optimise patient care in the UK, 2) Supporting ground-breaking research and 3) developing Emergency Medicine care and clinical training in low income countries. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine is a Royal Charter body and a registered charity, whose registered charity number in England and Wales is 1122689 and in Scotland is SCO44373.
Past fundraising appeals
+ 2022 Winter Appeal – PakistanThe College’s 2022 winter appeal launched in November 2022 will be providing funding towards our Emergency Medicine colleagues in Pakistan following the devastating impact of flooding earlier this year.
Since June 2022, flooding across Pakistan has affected 33 million people, one seventh of the country’s population. At its peak, floodwater covered a third of the country in water, damaging or destroying 1.14 million homes with the widespread damage to infrastructure causing a dire humanitarian situation.
This catastrophe has led to immense challenges for all health care providers and particularly our Emergency Medicine colleagues who are striving to maintain front line emergency care in these exceptional circumstances.
Access to clean water, food and shelter are the most pressing needs and there is now also the threat of a malaria and dengue fever epidemic due to the lasting impact of the floodwater. As such that there has been a need for medical clinics which have seen a significant increase of the local population presenting with respiratory infections, fever, skin diseases and diarrhoea.
RCEM has selected Pakistan as the recipient of this year’s winter appeal due to the relevance and immediacy of the situation, as well as the strong existing partnership RCEM has with Rawalpindi Medical University (RMU).
RCEM has been supporting RMU in the training of doctors through the Emergency Medicine Foundation Programme that has run since 2019. The development of a new curriculum for junior (FY2/FY3) trainees has established a focus to improve access to high quality training for all in EM and to raise the standard of care for patients.
Since the flooding earlier this year medical teams from RMU have been carrying out flood relief activities in flood affected areas of Punjab Province, Khyber Pakhtunkha Province, Sindh Province and Baluchistan Province. RMU established medical camps in different districts including Haji Pur and Fazilpur areas of District Rajanpur, Tehsil Taunsa Sharif of District Dera Ghazi Khan, District Nowshehra of KPK, District Umar Kot of Sind, Dera Alla Yaar and Suhbat Pur Districts of Baluchistan.
RMU are continuing to plan an deliver medical relief activities in the flood affected areas across Pakistan with around 170 RMU staff including doctors, medical students, nurses, paramedics and support staff all being involved in the relief work. These medical teams have found 50 per cent of the patients suffering from gastroenteritis, 30 per cent with pyoderma (skin disease), and nearly 15 per cent suffering from acute respiratory infections. Funds raised from this appeal could support RMU to continue to deliver aid in the areas where there is most need and could focus on providing the following:
 £20 could provide support for key food rations for misplaced people impacted by the floods. |
 £50 could provide key medical supplies to prevent against the cases of water and vector-borne diseases. |
 £100 could provide temporary shelter to support the 2.3 million houses that have been damaged across the country. |
As part of the ongoing partnership with RMU, RCEM are visiting Pakistan at the end of November 2022 with International Manager, Andrew Fryer, RCEM President, Dr Adrian Boyle and Global Emergency Medicine Committee member EMFP Pakistan lead Dr Ayaz Abassi forming the RCEM delegation. During the visit the delegation will be able to see first-hand the effects of the flooding on the local population as well as seeing the work of the RMU relief effort.
Emergency Medicine colleagues in Uganda urgently need support
The College’s inaugural winter appeal launched in November 2021 to support Emergency Medicine colleagues in Uganda.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, an unprecedented public health crisis has impacted all regions of the world. Some countries have fared worse than ours, in Uganda, with only one doctor for every 24,000 citizens, every wave of COVID-19 leaves the health system stretched to breaking point. The progress made over a decade to improve patient care is inevitably being rolled back as a result of the pandemic.
As of 2021 there were only six qualified Emergency Physicians in Uganda, all of whom are located at two teaching hospitals. The Regional referral hospitals, which are the current COVID-19 treatment centres, have no Emergency Physicians at all.
With the country only able to vaccinate 3.2% of its eligible population against the WHO target of 40% by the end of 2021 wave of COVID-19 infections have resulted in high rates of hospitalisation, severe shortage of oxygen availability and high mortality rates. Whilst the country has moved to increase oxygen production, the major challenge of inadequate and semi-skilled emergency care workers remains at health facilities across the country.
The Royal College of Emergency Medicine is supporting a crucial emergency care virtual training programme for health workers in Uganda to be better equipped for their emergency response. The training will build the capacity of health workers to manage COVID-19 cases as well as other emergency conditions and provide sustainability beyond the pandemic.
£20 would provide full internet costs for one trainee to complete the virtual training programme which will equip them with the essential skills they need to save lives.
£50 would provide two regional hospitals with valuable information, education, and communication (IEC) materials on Emergency Care.
£100 could support a referral centre that cares for up to 2 million Ugandan citizens by providing vital equipment that will allow trainees to put their training into practice.
Thank you to the kind support of RCEM members the College was able to raise over £6,000 for the winter appeal to support Emergency Medicine colleagues in Uganda.
A visit to Uganda is planned for May 2022 to visit organisations that will benefit from these funds and we will shar the outcomes of this visit and how money from this appeal has been spent over the coming months.
If you are interested in finding out more about any aspect of our fundraising work or about how you can get involved contact us on the details below:
Email: fundraising@rcem.ac.uk
Current salaried roles available with RCEM.
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Voluntary Posts with the College
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Octavia House Venue Hire
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