How to Host a Sizzling BBQ!

1. Decide your budget.

Start by setting a budget. This will help you decide whether to host your BBQ at home or rent a venue. Don’t forget to factor in costs like food, decorations, entertainment, or even hiring a cook if you’re not doing it yourself.

Be mindful of your spending to ensure the event still allows for a good amount of funds to be raised.

2. Pick a date and venue.

The great British weather is unpredictable, so try to choose a venue that can cater for all eventualities, indoors and outdoors. If you’re hosting at home, think about space. Do you have enough room indoors if it rains? A gazebo can also be a great backup.

Weekends or evenings are usually best to work around people’s busy schedules.

And don’t forget. If you’re using a public space, make sure you check if you need any permits or permissions.

3. Cater for everyone.

Make your menu inclusive. Include veggie and vegan options, and don’t forget tasty sides like salads, coleslaw, and condiments.

4. Add those extra touches.

Bring the BBQ to life with decorations. We’ve got balloons, banners, and flags in our online shop, plus downloadable bunting and resources to jazz things up.

5. Raise extra funds.

Looking for ways to make your charity BBQ stand out and raise even more for Pancreatic Cancer Action? There are plenty of fun and simple fundraising ideas that can help you boost your donations while bringing your community together. Here are a few tried-and-tested ways to take your BBQ to the next level:

Live music

Do you have friends or family who play in a band or enjoy performing? Ask if they’d be willing to donate their time to provide live music at your charity BBQ.

It’s a fantastic way to create a fun atmosphere while encouraging more guests to come along and support your cause, it can also extend the length of your fundraising event and make it a resounding success!

Games and activities

Add extra entertainment with fun games and activities on the day. You could charge a small entry fee for things like a quiz, a raffle, guess the weight of the sweets or pennies in the jar, guess the name of the cuddly toy, with a prize for the winner.

These simple charity fundraising ideas make your event even more enjoyable and help raise extra funds!

Raffle or auction

Local businesses are often happy to donate items or experiences for charity raffles or auctions. This can be a brilliant way to raise additional funds at your BBQ.

If you’d like help approaching businesses or need a letter of authority, please email us at fundraising@panact.org and we’ll be happy to help.

6. Set up your fundraiser.

You can collect donations in several ways,

• Set up a JustGiving page.
• Grab your unique QR code so guests can scan and donate easily.

Taking cash?

Order one of our cardboard collection boxes if you haven’t already.

7. Gather your team.

Don’t go it alone. Ask friends or family to help with:

• Cooking and serving.
• Welcoming guests.
• Managing games or activities.

You could even ask guests to bring a dish to contribute to the food spread.

8. Spread the word.

Give people plenty of notice. Share your event on social media, send messages to friends and family, and put posters up at work or in your local area. The more people who know, the more money you can raise.

9. Safety first.

Keep everyone safe by following these key BBQ safety tips:

• Never leave the grill unattended.
• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
• Use long-handled utensils.
• Keep children and pets away from the BBQ area.

A BBQ is a brilliant way to support Pancreatic Cancer Action while bringing people together. With just a little planning, your event can be both meaningful and memorable.

Ready to get started? Download our BBQ pack and start planning your sizzling fundraiser today.