How to support RCEM with fundraising and our charitable work.
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.
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.
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.
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.
+ Legacies
You can accelerate tomorrow’s vital research breakthroughs in emergency medicine, support the work of The Royal College of Emergency Medicine for patients in the UK and help emergency departments overseas get started. Every donation counts.
Writing your Will is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your wishes are carried out.
Our Legacy Giving Brochure will guide you through how to write, rewrite, or add to your existing Will, and some of the important things to consider.
And if you believe, like we do, that RCEM Fundraising deserves support – you can find everything you need to know about leaving a gift in our booklet which will guide you through how to write, rewrite, or add to your existing Will, and some of the important things to consider.
We hope you’ll consider supporting RCEM Fundraising in this very special way.
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.
To find out more about leaving a gift to the future call the team on 020 7067 4813, email us via fundraising@rcem.ac.uk
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 – 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.
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
+ 2022 Winter Appeal – Pakistan
The 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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Octavia House Venue Hire
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