Challenge event FAQs

Event sign up

I already have a place at the event but would like to run for the British Red Cross. Can I still join the team? 

Absolutely! If you have a place already at the event, you can still register to join Team Red Cross. You’ll receive the same support as our other team members but won’t have a minimum fundraising target – just raise as much as you can, every penny makes a huge difference for people in crisis.

I missed out on a place in the ballot and the event is sold out. Can I still get a place with Team Red Cross?

Even though the event is sold out on the event organiser's site, we may still have places available for you to join Team Red Cross at the event.

Check the event page you are interested in to see if registration is still open.

If you are unsure if there are places available, email us at challenges@redcross.org.uk.

A group of us would like to take part in one of your events. Are we able to sign up?

Of course! We love it when a group signs up to join Team Red Cross at one of our events.

If you sign up for the event directly on our site, please then drop us an email to confirm the name of your group and the names of the team members. We can then ensure we provide you with all our top team tips!

What will I receive when I sign up?

When you sign up to join Team Red Cross, you will receive:

• a welcome email with links to downloadable fundraising materials and a guide to setting up your own personal fundraising page.

• an exclusive British Red Cross running vest or t-shirt

• 1-2-1 support throughout the whole process
• invitations to Zoom calls to meet the Red Cross team and other runners

• regular email updates with all the key event details, top fundraising tips, and information about the work that your sponsorship will be supporting
• support from our challenge events team on the day.

Event information

When will I receive my race pack with my running number?

Your race pack will be sent to you by the official event organiser. Please check their website or get in touch with them directly for more information. You'll hear from them throughout the weeks in the lead up to the event so will have all the information you need to know.

I have signed up but haven’t received a welcome email yet. When will I get confirmation of my place?

If you have signed up for one of our events on a working day, you should receive an email confirming your place within 48 hours.

If you have signed up over the weekend or on a bank holiday, our team will be in touch with you as soon as possible on the next working day to confirm your place at the event.

If you would like to get in touch before then, feel free to drop us an email at challenges@redcross.org.uk.

What is the minimum age required to take part?

Each event organiser has a different minimum age requirement for participants to take part. Here are the main minimum age requirements for our events:

• Brighton Marathon: 18 years
• London Landmarks Half Marathon: 17 years
• London Marathon: 18 years
• Hackney Half Marathon: 17 years
• Edinburgh Marathon Festival: 17 years
• Great North Run: 17 years

Please double-check these on the official event organiser's website before signing up to take part.

I'm not sure if I'm fit enough to take part. What should I do?

Our events are open to people of all abilities. If you are unsure whether you will be fit enough to take part, we recommend that you seek advice from your GP or a medical professional. 

I have had a change in circumstances and can no longer attend the event. What happens now?

We understand that sometimes things don’t go to plan and circumstances change, meaning you can no longer attend the event.

If you are unable to attend the event, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing challenges@redcross.org.uk. Where possible, we will try and defer your place to next year’s event or another similar event, but this is not guaranteed.

Just a reminder that registration fees are non-refundable

Is the event wheelchair accessible?

Most of the events we sign up for are wheelchair-friendly. If you are unsure whether your event is, please check this on the official event organiser’s website

How do I get to my event?

Our Challenge Events team will share travel advice and locations nearer to the event day. If you would like this information now, please visit the event organiser's website where they will share be able to share general travel advice and recommendations.

Fundraising

How much money do I need to raise?

We ask everyone taking part in our events to raise the minimum sponsorship target specified on each event page. You can, of course, raise more!

A fundraising pack will be included in your welcome email and we’ll stay in touch with tips and ideas right up to the event.

When do I need to raise the sponsorship money by?

We ask that each member of Team Red Cross raises at least 75% of the sponsorship target by event day to be able to take part.

All of the sponsorship must be sent to us by four weeks after the event. If you have any questions or concerns about this, please get in touch with our Challenge Events team at challenges@redcross.org.uk.

I'm worried about my fundraising. Is there someone who can provide me with some advice?

Our Challenge Events team is committed to helping you reach and smash your sponsorship target. In the run-up to your event, we will provide you with a range of fundraising tips and advice and give you the chance to book some time with us to discuss all things fundraising.

If you are worried about your fundraising and would like some support and fundraising ideas from us in the meantime, please get in touch with us at challenges@redcross.org.uk. We are always more than happy to help!

In the meantime, check out our fundraising page for some ideas to get you started

What happens if I don't reach my target?

Each Team Red Cross event place provides valuable funds to the British Red Cross to ensure that we can be here for humanity in the UK and overseas.

We set a minimum sponsorship target for each event to cover the cost of the event place, staff time and other costs spent supporting runners, all while of course ensuring each runner raises valuable funds that go directly to supporting communities all over the world. This is why each team member must pledge to raise the minimum sponsorship upon applying for a place.

If you don’t reach your target, our team will get in touch with you to ensure the cost of the event place cost is covered as a minimum.

We find that most of our Team Red Cross members smash their targets so hopefully this should not be an issue for you.

If you are worried about fundraising, please get in touch with our team at challenges@redcross.org.uk

How do I set up a fundraising page?

You can create your own fundraising page through JustGiving.

Who do I talk to about problems with my fundraising page?

Get in touch with JustGiving at help@justgiving.com.

Can I fundraise offline?

Yes. You can download sponsorship forms to fundraise offline.

Can I continue collecting sponsorships after the event?

Absolutely. You are more than welcome to keep fundraising after the event. We just ask that all of your sponsorship target is raised and sent to us four weeks after the event.

How will the money I raise be used?

Whether we're supporting families whose homes have been destroyed by conflict in Ukraine, people struggling with loneliness and isolation in the UK, or communities rebuilding after the devastating earthquakes in Morocco – we support those most in need.

For every £1 donated:

• 73p is spent helping people in crisis. This includes emergency response, refugee support, and international work.

• 16p is spent generating funds and running our shops.

• 11p is spent on support costs – running our organisation

Find out more about how your money is spent.

I want to run for Team Red Cross, but don’t want to fundraise the sponsorship target. Can I still join the team?

If you would like to run for Team Red Cross but do not want to fundraise the sponsorship target, there are a few options for you.

For some events, we give runners the option to pay outright for their place. This means that runners can pay a specific fee for their place and then fundraise whatever they can with no minimum sponsorship target. To find out if this is an option for your event, please check out the specific event page you are interested in on our website.

Alternatively, you can purchase a place in the event via the event organisers site and apply to join Team Red Cross as an own place team member. By joining us at your own place, you’ll receive the same support as other team members but won’t have a minimum fundraising target – just raise as much as you can!

Otherwise, speak to us! Our team is committed to helping all Team Red Cross members reach and smash their sponsorship targets. We provide plenty of fundraising tips and advice. We find that most people smash their targets so hopefully, fundraising should not be an issue for you.

Do you have any top tips for fundraising to get the first donations in?

Absolutely. Here are our top five fundraising tips to help you smash your sponsorship target!

• Donate to your page: if you find it difficult to ask people, start by donating to your page. Once a donation has been made, others will follow.
• Personalise your page: Personalised pages raise 60% more, so explain a bit about why you’re taking on this challenge, and what it means to you, and add a photo too!

• Get social: Share your page on your socials and post regular training updates. Thank those who have donated by tagging them in your posts too as this makes your sponsors feel valued and encourages others to give as they will want their names in the next post!

• Match it! Many companies will match money their employees raise for charity, which could mean DOUBLING the difference you can make! It is definitely worth dropping an email to your human resources team to see if it’s an option!
• Host an event: It’s not always easy to simply ask people to sponsor you so why not offer something in return? You could run a quiz night, come dine with me evening, organise a five-a-side footie game, or a classic bake sale! Put the fun into fundraising!

My company has a matched-giving scheme and would like to match my fundraising for the event. Can you help me with this?

Definitely. If your company offers matched giving, please get in touch with us and we will provide you with the details to share with your employer. We will then track their donation and make sure it’s added to your sponsorship total!

Contact us

How do I get in touch with the events team?

If you have any questions, you’re unable to take part in the event or you need to change your address, get in touch at challenges@redcross.org.uk or call 07708 295488 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).