Air ambulances, mountain and lowland rescue teams, lifeboat crews and search and rescue units share an unusual position. They provide a service the public assumes is part of the state, yet most are independent charities that have to raise the cost of every flight, every launch and every callout themselves. That gap between what people assume and how the work is actually funded is a fundraising opportunity, because once supporters understand that generosity keeps the helicopter flying, they tend to want to help. Contactless giving makes it easy for them to do so in the moment.
Why these charities are not the same as hospital fundraising
It is worth drawing a clear line between rescue charities and the NHS related giving we cover in our piece on fundraising technology for hospitals and NHS charities. A hospital charity raises money around a clinical setting with patients, visitors and staff. A rescue charity raises money around a base, a visitor centre, an open day and a community that has often been touched directly by a rescue. The emotional story is immediate and personal, and the giving moments are different, which means the way you place and use a donation device is different too.
The giving moments to capture
Rescue charities have a rich set of occasions where supporters are already engaged. Open days and base visits bring in families who are fascinated by the aircraft or the boat and grateful for what the crew does. Awareness events, talks and supporter mornings gather people who have chosen to spend their time with you. Many teams also have a presence in community venues, shopping areas and at the events of partner organisations. In each of these settings, a donor who is moved to give wants to act there and then, not to go home and look up a website. A device that they can simply tap captures the gift while the feeling is strong.
Because so much of this happens at events and temporary stands, it helps to think of your device as part of your event kit. Our guide to contactless giving at charity events, galas and fun runs covers the practical side of taking giving on the road.
Choosing a device that travels and stands out
For a charity that moves between a base, events and community appearances, a freestanding device that draws the eye works well. A floor standing unit such as the CharityStand makes a clear, confident invitation to give in a busy space, while a slimmer CharityPole suits narrower spots and queue areas. For roving collectors and supporter stalls, a handheld CharityTab is light to carry and quick to present. All of these are built around the same dependable hardware and Android platform from DonorDynamics, with the giving experience and payments provided by Give A Little, so the choice is really about the setting rather than the technology.
One honest word on the weather. Open days and base events often happen outdoors, and these devices are designed for indoor and sheltered use rather than to be left out in the rain. Position them under a gazebo, in a marquee, inside the hangar or just inside an entrance, and bring them in at the end of the day. Treated sensibly, they cope perfectly well with a busy outdoor event.
Make the most of Gift Aid
Most rescue charities are registered charities, which means eligible donations from UK taxpayers can be worth twenty five per cent more through Gift Aid, at no extra cost to the donor. The donation app can invite donors to add a Gift Aid declaration as they give, so it is well worth enabling. The rules on what qualifies do matter, and we set them out plainly in our guide to Gift Aid and contactless donations for UK charities. For the official position you can also read the guidance at GOV.UK on claiming Gift Aid.
Coordinating devices across a wide patch
Rescue charities often cover a large region, with collection points and supporter groups spread across many towns. Once you have devices in more than one place, you will want to see how each is performing and step in quickly if one goes quiet, rather than relying on someone to phone in. That ability to oversee a spread out set of devices is exactly what we describe in our piece on kiosk lockdown and device management. If you would like to talk through what would suit your base and your events, you can reach us through the charities overview and our team will be glad to help.