Frequently asked questions about our Fundraising activities and Fundraising for St John Ambulance. If your question cannot be answered, please contact us at Fundraising@sja.org.uk.
Please stop sending me correspondence
You can ask us to stop contacting you at any time, please let us know by emailing SupporterCare@sja.org.uk. It helps us locate your details if you can provide the Unique Reference number on the mailing you have received.
How can I take part in your weekly lottery?
When does the lottery draw take place?
Responsible gambling
What safety measures have you put in place during the pandemic?
In 2022 onwards, fundraisers will wear a face mask and stay 2 metres apart when necessary or requested. When we need to take your details, a tablet can be extended to you on a stick should you request that. The tablet and stick will be disinfected before and after use.
Fundraisers can be instructed to not leave any materials behind and copies of our Fundraising Agreement, Data Protection and Direct Debit Guarantee can be found in the advanced notification letter sent to each person when they choose to sign up as a donor to St John. You can also find this information on our website.
What if someone is self-isolating?
We recognise that not everyone will want to donate or engage with us in the same way as they did before the pandemic.
Any addresses where there is no answer to a single knock or ring of the doorbell, or where someone feels uncomfortable opening the door to our team will be left immediately in a polite and respectful manner.
Is it appropriate to be knocking on people’s doors during a pandemic?
As restrictions have lifted and we make our way towards a post-pandemic life, the decision to resume door-to-door fundraising has been thoroughly evaluated. Face-to-face fundraising will now resume as normal, as well as site fundraising. We will continue to monitor fundraiser and donor feedback in the same way we have done so for the past few years.
Thank you for supporting St John Ambulance!
How do I amend or cancel my direct debit?
If you registered to give through a door-to-door fundraiser and would like to amend or cancel your direct debit, please fill out the online cancellation form or call our Supporter Hotline 0114 238 7360.
How do I make a complaint?
If you’re unhappy about something, please call our Supporter Hotline 0114 238 7360 or contact us online.
Please provide as much information as you can so we can investigate all complaints as thoroughly and as quickly as possible. A location and description of a fundraiser could be essential to any investigation.
Why do you pay a company to do your face-to-face fundraising?
Many charities use a professional fundraising agency to do door-to-door fundraising for them to raise the most funds they can. We use Wesser Ltd and Trinity Marketing who employ fully-trained fundraising professionals who comply with industry regulations.
All fundraisers are required to read a solicitation statement to all new supporters on the door explaining the arrangement that we have with our partnership agencies. Supporters are also given a document entitled ‘Your Direct Debit’, which gives more information as to how donating helps us over the long term.
Why don’t your volunteers do face-to-face fundraising?
Our volunteers focus on delivering first aid. They make an incredible impact caring for people in need at public events and out in their community. Door-to-door fundraising is actually a very difficult skill and requires lots of training and support. We can raise more money and focus on our life saving work by paying Wesser Ltd and Trinity Marketing to employ professionals to fundraise for us.
However, if you would like to volunteer as a fundraiser for us, please visit sja.org.uk/volunteer as we are always looking for help!
Do your fundraisers get commission?
How much of the money raised goes to St John Ambulance?
For every 5000 new supporters we recruit, over 10 years the charity expects to raise at least £1,911,650. So thank you!
St John Ambulance have agreed to pay our agencies in the region of £554,625 based on an agreed fundraising fee for each supporter.
This means that for every £1 invested into face to face fundraising, St John Ambulance get more than £3 back towards saving someone's life.
How secure is my direct debit and my personal details?
We treat security as a priority as every day we handle the details of hundreds of people. We will only use the information you give us on secure tablet devices to collect the contribution you’ve agreed to from your account. We won’t use it for anything else, as outlined under the Data Protection Act 2018.
Will you pass my details on?
Will the local authority know that St John Ambulance is fundraising in the area?
Do your fundraisers visit houses in No Cold Calling areas?
We do not enter any No Cold Calling Zones that are legally set up in collaboration with the Trading Standards Board, as outlined in the Fundraising Regulator Code of Fundraising Practice. We also will not call on houses with any visible 'no cold calling' or 'no charity callers' sign.
How do I know that the person calling at the door is legitimate?
If you would like to check a fundraiser’s details, please call the Supporter Hotline on 0114 238 7360 or email supportercare@sja.org.uk. Details can be found on official identification cards, which are required by law and worn by all our fundraisers.
What approach do your fundraisers use?
Our fundraisers encourage people to donate because they want to save lives and help us build a nation of life savers. We want people to be left with a positive image and a desire to support our work over a long period of time. We do not condone high-pressure sales tactics.
Our fundraisers are trained in the values and ethics of St John Ambulance and they are expected to live up to those while fundraising. They are also are provided with a Fundraising Code of Conduct, which clearly states that they should not present to anyone who is vulnerable. We act in accordance with the Institute of Fundraising’s Code of Fundraising Practice.
After attending Wesser Ltd training, a representative from the Institute of Fundraising said:
Vulnerability was covered very thoroughly. I thought this was a great strength of the training, and probably the best example I’ve seen. Obviously, a lot of time and thought has been devoted to this important area.
What will the fundraisers ask for?
Our fundraisers go door-to-door, asking members of the public to pledge regular donations to St John Ambulance by Direct Debit. Our fundraisers will ask for non-sensitive details such as a sort code and account number. They will input any details into a small tablet, which ensures your details are kept safe and encrypted from the moment you sign up.
A small, regular gift given in this way is very beneficial to St John Ambulance, as Direct Debits are cost effective to administer and the regularity of the gift helps us plan effectively. They’ll never ask for cash or cheques at the door.
If you would like to make a one-off donation please do not send any cash through the post. You can address a cheque or postal order to Fundraising, 27 St John's Lane, London, EC1M 4BU or alternatively, you can donate via our website.
On occasion the use of paper mandates may be needed. In this circumstance, all mandates are securely stored under lock and key in accordance with rules and regulations.
How do I add Gift Aid to my donation?
All you need to do is tick the Gift Aid declaration box when you donate online or complete the Gift Aid form when you donate by post.
What is Gift Aid?
Gift Aid is a government scheme that lets us reclaim basic rate tax on all gifts given by taxpayers – even better news, we can claim back for the last four years!
Donating through Gift Aid means charities and community amateur sports clubs (CASCs) can claim an extra 25p for every £1 you give. It won’t cost you any extra.
Am I eligible?
Your donations will qualify as long as they’re not more than four times what you have paid in tax in that tax year (6 April to 5 April). The tax could have been paid on income or capital gains tax. You must tell the charities you support if you stop paying enough tax. Other taxes such as VAT and council tax do not qualify.
What if I'm a pensioner?
Can I change my mind?
What if I'm a higher rate tax payer?
Whether you are a higher rate or a basic rate taxpayer does not change the amount of Gift Aid that we can claim in relation to your donation. If you pay income tax at the higher or additional rate and want to receive the additional tax relief due to you, you must include all your Gift Aid donations on your Self Assessment tax return or ask HMRC to adjust your tax code.
You should know that...
Select a topic from the titles below:
