With your help, over the past four years we have raised over £8,500 for u3a-recognised charities such as Macmillan Cancer Support, Alzheimer's Research UK,  AgeUK, Parkinson's UK and Cruse UK (Bereavement Support).

The format for this year's festival will be different to previous years in that u3a's are encouraged to donate to a local charity or a national charity of their choice .

Here are some guidance notes from u3a national office to assist you:

u3as can only fundraise for another charity where the charitable objects of the charity are similar to those of the u3a. The full guidance is available to download here: https://www.u3a.org.uk/members-area/support/advice-and-guidance#finance 

Individuals may raise money on a personal basis for another charity which isn’t similar, but not via or from the u3a.  

Below are a couple of examples from the Finance FAQs document which may help:

1. We want to hold a raffle to raise money for a charity that is not similar to ours. Can we do that?

A charity, including a u3a, does not have the power to raise funds for another charity unless their charitable objects are similar. This is a fundamental part of charity law as all money raised by any charity should be spent on its own charitable objectives.

If the purpose of the raffle is to raise money for another form of charity it should not be a u3a activity. Members can personally run the raffle, collect the money, and pay the beneficiary - totally separate from the u3a. The raffle may take place at a u3a event (e.g. a Quiz Night) but would not affect the income of the event.

2. We have a “charity of the month” that we promote in our newsletter. Members are encouraged to join fun raising activities for that charity. Is it acceptable for us to do this?

As above – this should not go through the u3a books. The members are raising money and making a donation on a personal basis.

Table Money for Group Leaders (ECatsBridge Admin Fee):

EcatsBridge have changed their methodology of charging for the administration of the Festival.

Each u3a Group will be invoiced 60p per playing member after the results have been collated. Group Leaders please note that you may wish to 'hold back' this amount of money from your 'table money' collection in order to pay ECatsBridge.