Raising thousands of pounds for The Brain Tumour Charity is achievable – with focus, planning, and strategy. Every Everest in the Alps team before you has proven it. Their secret? Treat fundraising with the same structure and determination as training for the mountain itself.
This guide brings together what works – from engaging companies and trusts to connecting emotionally with your networks. Whether your goal is £5,000 or £150,000, these are the strategies that deliver.
About Stuart Miners
Stuart is a veteran Everest in the Alps participant and experienced fundraiser. He has led teams that raised six-figure sums for The Brain Tumour Charity, combining strategy, creativity, and personal connection. His insights and tips appear throughout this guide to help you achieve maximum impact.
Start with Purpose
The most powerful fundraising begins with why. You’re not asking people to sponsor a ski tour – you’re inviting them to fund vital research and give hope to families affected by brain tumours.
“We didn’t ask people to sponsor us to ski up mountains. We asked them to help us fund a cure for brain cancer. That’s the difference that made people listen.” – Stuart Miners
Expert Tip: Lead with impact in every conversation, post, or email – early diagnoses, lives changed, and hope delivered.
Set Personal Goals
Clear targets give your team direction and energy. Seed your fundraising page with early donations – from your own network or personal contribution – to show commitment.
“Seeding our page with £500-£1,000 set the tone. People could see this wasn’t a £20 challenge; it was a serious cause.” – Stuart Miners
Expert Tip: Momentum matters. Early pledges encourage others to follow and signal credibility.
Focus Where It Counts
Around 80% of funds often come from 20% of donors. Identify your most likely major supporters early – companies, foundations, or high-net-worth individuals – and build relationships with them first.
Expert Tip: Prioritise high-impact donors, but don’t ignore smaller gifts – they add up and keep momentum.
Engage Companies and Sponsors
Corporate partnerships can transform your total. Frame support as sponsorship or brand alignment, not just donation.
“A company can easily give £2,000-£10,000 for a logo on a jacket. What looks like a donation to you is a sponsorship opportunity to them.” – Stuart Miners
Expert Tip: Offer visibility and credibility. Use the charity’s network to approach companies already engaged with The Brain Tumour Charity – they’re more likely to give generously and share your story widely.
Approach Trusts and Foundations
Charitable trusts can be a major source of funding if approached thoughtfully:
- Research trusts aligned with health, medical research, or children’s causes
- Write personally, explaining your challenge and impact
- Use warm introductions wherever possible – they work far better than cold emails
Expert Tip: Personal connections to trusts are powerful. Don’t underestimate them.
Secure a Team Sponsor
A headline sponsor adds professionalism and reach. Even modest financial support can be amplified if your sponsor shares your story through their networks.
Expert Tip: Treat sponsors as partners, not just donors. They can unlock new networks, credibility, and donations.
Make Your Fundraising Visible
Wear your EiA kit or Brain Tumour Charity t shirt, share training updates, and post regularly about your journey. Visibility builds credibility – and credibility drives generosity.
“I wore a BTC hoody for six months before fundraising. By launch day, pledges were already above target.” – Stuart Miners
Expert Tip: Start early. Engage your network before the fundraising begins.
Tell Stories That Move People
Fundraising is emotional. Share why you’re climbing – who you’re doing it for, what breakthroughs your fundraising could enable, and how it connects to something bigger than yourself.
Expert Tip: Anchor every ask in impact. Stories of research breakthroughs or lives saved are far more compelling than feats of endurance alone.
Involve Your Company and Colleagues
Engage colleagues and CSR teams. Organisations often:
- Match employee donations
- Promote your story internally
- Host awareness or fundraising events
Expert Tip: Turn your challenge into a shared mission. Corporate endorsement amplifies credibility and reach.
Connect Emotionally
The strongest teams never lose sight of why they climb. Revisit the origin story of Everest in the Alps – the personal journey, the mission, and the cure you’re helping fund.
Expert Tip: Emotion fuels endurance. Keep the cause front and centre in every update, conversation, or post.
Think Big: Events and Awareness
Link your fundraising to high-profile initiatives or events to maximise reach:
- Charity galas or themed evenings
- Executive dinners or private auctions
- Awareness campaigns timed with major sporting or global events
Expert Tip: Collective campaigns create momentum, attract new audiences, and raise significant sums.
Quick-Reference Checklist
✅ Seed your page with early donations
✅ Identify top 20% donors and focus on them first
✅ Approach companies, trusts, and sponsors strategically
✅ Make your story visible early
✅ Share emotionally compelling impact
✅ Engage colleagues and CSR programs
✅ Leverage high-profile events and awareness days
Final Thoughts
Focus, structure, and heart are the keys to high-impact fundraising. Start early, build strong relationships, and always bring it back to why you climb.
“Everyone knows people who know people. Share your story and live it. That’s how credibility grows – and credibility is what inspires people to give.” – Stuart Miners
Next Step: Set up your fundraising page today, join it to our 2026 team page and start seeding it with your first pledges. Every step brings you closer to life-changing impact.
