Buan Clarke attended a TFN crowdfunding event for the very first time in-person, joining us for our Summer Connector in support of three brilliant small charities.

Here she talks about her experience and what it was like to be with us in the room as we supported Greener & Cleaner, Give a Book and Artistic Spectrum to double their fundraising targets, after having watched online events in the past.

The Funding Network was first introduced to me at my kitchen table by my mother, a Member and Deputy Chair of the charity. After popping into the kitchen for a snack, I found myself sitting, just out of camera frame, listening in, shocked at the impressive figures which were being heard from the speakers of her laptop. This year’s Summer Connector was perfectly timed just after the end of my GCSEs, enabling my ‘promotion’ from the kitchen table to a real life TFN event in London.

In all honesty I was a bit apprehensive, however as soon as I stepped into the event (after successfully navigating the tube) all worries disappeared as I was met with smiles, friendly hellos and a £100 voucher to donate to any charity of my choice.

Before the fundraising section of the event began amongst the attendees, there was excitable chatter, accompanied by refreshments. This event in particular was a celebrity event, meaning some familiar faces joined us such as actress Sophie McShera, a cast member of my friends' all-time favourite TV show Downtown Abbey, who was present as a sponsor for the charity Artistic Spectrum. To clarify, I’m not exaggerating her love for the show: she had her 15^th birthday party themed around it, featuring a cake with Sophie on it (and yes, we did show her a photo!)

All charities delivered their pitches flawlessly and were extremely insightful, eye-opening and thought-provoking. I felt especially touched by the story told by Emma Wilson from Artistic Spectrum of an individual with autism spectrum disorder whose only way of communicating was painting. Before going to a workshop organised by the charity they had only ever used black ink in their artwork, however since working with the charity they have begun to use colour. This story clearly demonstrates, without words, the direct impact of the charity and its ability to change people’s entire outlook on life.

A recent addition to TFN events has been the welcome voucher initiative, where guests brought along by a Member are given a voucher which they can pledge to a charity of their choice. Personally I found it to be a great way to help me get involved with the pledging system as it gave me the funds to do so. That being said though, the networking aspect of the event, which followed the fundraising, was equally rewarding to be a part of. With the new perspective and desire I found myself with after learning about the work and impact of the 3 charities, I began making rounds and talking to individuals, learning of their work and connections. I found myself inspired by the schemes set up by many and began brain-storming ways which I could draw from their experience and expertise and use it within my own environment to create a change.

Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed the event. It was lovely to see how many people all from different backgrounds had been drawn together with a common aim to help others. Everyone felt equally valued and important, no matter if they gave £100 or £1,000. Every donor was thanked by name which helped reinforce the fact that your donation is personally making a huge impact. It was simply wonderful to experience the joy which was created within the room in such a short period of time as a result of the life-changing £60,700 we had raised collectively. I left the event motivated with new aspirations fueled by the inspirational work of those within the room and asking my mum when I could go to another event!