Downloads and top tips for Bliss Little Lights

Thank you for signing up to walk for Bliss Little Lights. Find everything you need to make your walk fun, safe and successful in our online hub!

You may be taking part in our London event, organising your own walk with friends and family, or perhaps going solo. However you walk the money you raise will help us improve the lives of tiny and poorly babies across the UK.

Here are some downloadable materials to help you get started before your pack arrives in the post.

Tips for fundraising

Share your online fundraising page regularly. If you are taking part in the London event, you can create a fundraising page when you sign up. If you are organising your own walk, the first step is to set up a JustGiving page.

Pick your time wisely - did you know people are more likely to donate around pay day and on Fridays?

Personalise your online fundraising page by adding a photo. Tell your story - what are you doing, when are you doing it and why are you doing it.

Let people know how their donations will make a difference.

Kickstart your fundraising with a self-donation. It shows your supporters you mean business, and suggests the amount they should sponsor you.

Increase your target if you reach it before the day of your event.

Ask your employer if they offer a Matched Giving scheme.

Join our Bliss Little Lights Fundraisers Facebook group to meet other Little Lights walkers and share fundraising tips.

Planning a route

A looped route that starts and ends at the same place is easier for logistics and parking. Choose a starting point that is easy for everyone to get to, such as your house, or local landmark.

Keep the distance manageable - 2 to 5 km is ideal for families. You can plan a route and distance online and should also test it out yourself to make sure it is accessible for your walkers.

If you’re going solo, you may not want to do the walking all in one go. Perhaps you’d prefer to walk a certain distance over a period of time.

Paved paths, parks, or pedestrian-friendly trails are the safest. Try to avoid busy roads or areas with poor visibility.

Ensure the route is buggy and wheelchair-friendly by bypassing steep hills, gravel paths, or steps. Think about any rest stops and toilets along the way.

If you are planning to walk on private property, or opening your walk to the public, then you should contact the landowner or your local authority for their permission.

Promoting your walk

No need to wait for your pack to arrive in the post - get started straight away by downloading our promotional materials.

Use social media platforms, such as WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram to spread the word and invite people to join your walk. Take the time to personalise invites, and remind people why you are walking.

Ask your guests to also register through Bliss’ website, so they can get their own fundraising pack!

We can list your walk as an event on our Bliss Facebook page if you want to invite other Bliss supporters along. You can also use our media toolkit to get your story promoted locally. Please use the contacts in the media toolkit if you want more help promoting your walk.

Remember that bigger is not always better, and some of our most successful walks have just a few committed fundraisers taking part!

On the day

Do you have friends or family missing your walk in person? Arrange to walk at the same time and video call each other before you set out. It’s a great way to share the moment across distances.

Have fun dressing up in bright, reflective clothing and light-up accessories, so you can be spotted easily in the dark. Remember to check the batteries in your torches, lanterns and fairy lights.

Plan a few short stops for snacks, photos, or just to enjoy the atmosphere.

Share an emergency contact number with all participants. Consider printing it on wristbands or stickers for younger walkers.

Light a candle to celebrate or remember the babies you are walking for when you return home.

Keeping it safe and legal

If you are a host, you are responsible for the safety and conduct of your walk. Please note that Bliss cannot accept liability for any activities you undertake.

We recommend you complete a risk assessment. This will help you anticipate and plan for anything that might go wrong. A risk assessment is a simple document that lists potential hazards and the measures you will take to minimise these. We have a risk assessment template that you can use and adapt as necessary – just ask us for a copy.

If your walk is a casual get-together with friends and family, you can simply advise everyone to take responsibility for their own safety. Good planning and clear communication are usually all that’s needed. However, for bigger walks which are open to the public, you may want to consider whether you need to get public liability insurance.

You can find more useful information about organising a voluntary event in this government ‘Can do’ guide.

Finally, if you are planning to collect cash donations on your walk, as part of your fundraising, ensure that you have the correct permissions to do so. You’ll need to apply for a collection licence from your local authority to collect cash in public spaces, or obtain written permission from the landowner to collect cash on private land.

Downloads and top tips for Bliss Little Lights

Little Lights Organiser's Guide

London Little Lights Guide

Sponsorship Form

Instagram story template

Little Lights postcard

Little Lights poster

Tips for fundraising

Tips for organising a walk

Planning a route

Promoting your walk

On the day

Keeping it safe and legal

Want to wear a Bliss t-shirt on the day of your Little Lights fundraiser?

Looking for something else in this section?

Downloads and top tips for Bliss Little Lights

Little Lights Organiser's Guide

London Little Lights Guide

Sponsorship Form

Instagram story template

Little Lights postcard

Little Lights poster

Tips for fundraising

Tips for organising a walk

Planning a route

Promoting your walk

On the day

Keeping it safe and legal

Want to wear a Bliss t-shirt on the day of your Little Lights fundraiser?

Related content

Looking for something else in this section?