Blood Cancer UK – The power of pledging

About blood cancer UK

Blood Cancer UK is a leading charity dedicated to funding vital research into blood cancers. Their mission is clear: to beat blood cancer through research, support, and care. Alongside their ground-breaking research, the charity provides essential support to individuals and families affected by these life-threatening conditions. To fund their work, they run a variety of fundraising events throughout the year, from gala dinner to golf days. 

The partnership

Blood Cancer UK wanted to take a fresh, innovative approach to fundraising by hosting a pledge-only event. Unlike traditional charity evenings that rely on auctions or  buy now items, this event was designed to tap into the competitive spirit of corporate guests. The centrepiece of the evening was a real-time table leaderboard, which encouraged companies to out-pledge each other in support of the cause.

To streamline the process, the event was entirely mobile-based, with QR codes available at every table. Guests could make their pledges quickly and easily from their phones, ensuring a seamless and engaging experience. This approach turned fundraising into a thrilling, competitive experience, rather than simply encouraging donations, it fostered a sense of friendly rivalry, pushing tables to pledge more in the name of both charity and victory.

The outcome

This unique event proved to be a huge success, enabling Blood Cancer UK to exceed their fundraising goal with just pledges.

• Target: £50,000
• Amount Raised: £52,000

The table leaderboard played a key role in this success, creating an electric atmosphere on the night and motivating guests to push their pledges higher. By focusing on corporate competition rather than individual bids, Blood Cancer UK maximised engagement and financial impact.

This event is a fantastic example of how charities can rethink beneficiary events, moving away from traditional silent auctions and instead creating immersive, high-energy experiences that drive engagement and donations. By leveraging technology and the natural competitiveness of their audience, Blood Cancer UK demonstrated the power of pledging in fundraising.

Their success proves that with the right approach, charities can surpass expectations, inspire generosity, and ultimately make a bigger impact in the fight against blood cancer.

Testimonial 

"Working with the Emma team was an absolute game-changer! The leaderboard brought out everyone’s competitive streak in the best way possible, and the energy in the room was just incredible. Seeing guests rally together and out-pledge each other was amazing. The whole experience of working with Emma was seamless, fun, and, most importantly, hugely successful. We smashed our target, and we couldn’t have done it without the Emma team’s expertise and support. This event proved that when you create the right atmosphere, people go above and beyond!"

— Gemma Howell, Blood Cancer UK