Together at the table
Come together in marking 30 years of Ovacome's life-changing support and information services.
Sarah's table
In 1996, Sarah Dickinson was living alongside an ovarian cancer diagnosis and found that there was little to no support or information available about the disease. So, Sarah gathered around her kitchen table with others who shared similar experiences and feelings. Together at the table, they created an organisation that represented them - Ovacome. Now, 30 years on, Ovacome has grown into a community of over 5,650 members and counting, delivering life-changing support and information services across the UK.
In 1996, Sarah Dickinson was living alongside an ovarian cancer diagnosis and found that there was little to no support or information available about the disease. So, Sarah gathered around her kitchen table with others who shared similar experiences and feelings. Together at the table, they created an organisation that represented them - Ovacome. Now, 30 years on, Ovacome has grown into a community of over 5,650 members and counting, delivering life-changing support and information services across the UK.
Ovacome has become a vital space for support, connection, and a reliable source of accurate information. Our members have a seat at our table, where they can make their voices heard regarding the specific support they need and the direction the charity takes.
Ovacome wouldn't exist and cannot continue to offer life-changing services without your support. As a small charity that receives no government funding, our donors and fundraisers are our lifeline. Will you save a seat for Ovacome at your table and hold a fundraiser to mark our 30th anniversary? With your support, we can ensure Ovacome continues to be there for the ovarian cancer community for years to come.
Your table
Inspired by the difference that Sarah made at her table? Wondering what impact you could make at yours? Join us in marking our 30th anniversary and organise a fundraiser to connect with and raise vital awareness in your community. Every table tells a story, and every conversation makes a difference. See below to find out more and get involved.
Inspired by the difference that Sarah made at her table? Wondering what impact you could make at yours? Join us in marking our 30th anniversary and organise a fundraiser to connect with and raise vital awareness in your community. Every table tells a story, and every conversation makes a difference. See below to find out more and get involved.
Need some ideas?
Ovacome has grown from one kitchen table into a community of thousands. What does your kitchen table mean to you? Whether it's the centrepiece of your home or it's a space that represents timeless traditions and cultures, every table tells a story.
What do you do around your table that could be transformed into a fundraiser?
Fundraising doesn't need to be complicated, and you don't need to set a high fundraising target to make a difference. Just £49 could help Ovacome to run an online support group for 12 people. Whether you host a small picnic with friends, encouraging each person to donate, or you organise a ticketed buffet dinner for everyone you know, every event, big or small, makes an impact. Help us mark our anniversary in a way that brings your community closer together and supports ours too.
Fundraising doesn't need to be complicated, and you don't need to set a high fundraising target to make a difference. Just £49 could help Ovacome to run an online support group for 12 people. Whether you host a small picnic with friends, encouraging each person to donate, or you organise a ticketed buffet dinner for everyone you know, every event, big or small, makes an impact. Help us mark our anniversary in a way that brings your community closer together and supports ours too.
Dinner parties or potluck meals
Get the teal table decor ready! Holding a dinner party, potluck meal, or brunch in your home is an easy way to bring your loved ones together for a purpose and raise vital funds.
Ideas:
Ideas:
- Ask guests to pay a suggested amount (E.G. £20) to cover the cost of the ingredients and a donation to Ovacome.
- Set up an online fundraising page with a fundraising target (E.G. £100) and ask your guests to donate and share your page with their network to raise awareness.
- No matter how small your event is, why not take it to the next level and host party games during the meal where guests will donate to enter.
- Make sure you order Ovacome materials to decorate your space, including plenty of awareness resources to give to your guests. Download Ovacome's menu and invite (below) to print out in preparation for your event!
Coffee mornings and bake sales
Hosting a coffee morning or bake sale encourages the whole community to get involved!
See below for some easy ways to make your event a success:
See below for some easy ways to make your event a success:
- Ask guests to help make the sweet treats so that the responsibility is shared.
- Have an online fundraising page (you can create your page below) as well as a collection pot to accommodate people who don't bring cash.
- Sell some Ovacome shop items such as wristbands or pens.
- Ensure that the room/table is full of Ovacome awareness materials for guests to take away with them.
Picnics and garden parties
If the sun is shining, why not take your plans outside?
Ideas:
Ideas:
- Host a picnic in the park or your garden. Invite every guest to bring a dish as well as a small contribution for Ovacome. Turn your picnic into a fun challenge by asking everyone to wear teal and bring teal coloured snacks!
- If you love hosting people in your garden during the long evenings, why not turn one into a fundraiser! Encourage guests to give a suggested donation for their attendance. Take your party to the next level and hold a teal tombola, where each guest brings something teal to add to the table and donate £5 to enter the tombola for the chance to win something better...
- Top tip: make use of Ovacome's downloadable cut-out bunting and our balloons to decorate your space!
Getting creative
Is your kitchen table a place where your creativity runs wild?
Ideas on how to use your passion for purpose:
Ideas on how to use your passion for purpose:
- Hold a craft sale, where all the proceeds go to Ovacome.
- Invite your friends around for a crafts evening, such as a paint and sip. If you provide the materials and the drinks, encourage your guests to pay a suggested donation that covers the equipment and helps you reach your fundraising target!
- Prefer alone time? Create something like a teal blanket or painting that you can auction to the highest bidder online. Don't forget to tag Ovacome on social media so we can see your creations!
Micro-events
You don't have to organise a big event to get involved. Fundraising can be as easy as you make it! Set a low fundraising target (E.G. £50-100) and turn an everyday event into something impactful.
Planning to invite your family and friends over for a BBQ, games night, or even Sunday lunch, why not ask your loved ones to send a suggested donation (E.G. £5-10)? Ovacome only needs £28 to fund an hour of 1-2-1 specialist support for someone affected. Could your weekend plans help us to do this?
Get in touch with our team at fundraising@ovacome.org.uk after your event so that we can send you our bank details!
Planning to invite your family and friends over for a BBQ, games night, or even Sunday lunch, why not ask your loved ones to send a suggested donation (E.G. £5-10)? Ovacome only needs £28 to fund an hour of 1-2-1 specialist support for someone affected. Could your weekend plans help us to do this?
Get in touch with our team at fundraising@ovacome.org.uk after your event so that we can send you our bank details!
Online events
Never underestimate the power of technology! Many members of Ovacome's community stay connected online through our virtual wellbeing sessions, the Ovacome Forum and beyond.
Ideas:
Ideas:
- Host a virtual quiz on Zoom where each attendee donates to enter.
- Hold a virtual workshop or class and invite attendees to give a suggested donation. This could be anything from crafts to cooking to yoga.
- Host an online film screening and discussion over Zoom. Give attendees suggested donation ideas.
- When organising a virtual event, be sure to set up a fundraising page (see below) so that Ovacome can provide you with a QR code to display on the screen at all times to collect donations throughout!
- Take the opportunity to raise awareness online. Get in touch with us at fundraising@ovacome.org.uk if you would like some virtual resources or awareness presentation slides.
Get started
Step 1: get in touch and leave us a message via the button below with your questions, ideas, and plans. Our fundraising team will support you every step of the way.
Step 2: visit Ovacome's fundraising hub for our tips and guidance, to make use of Ovacome's fundraising toolkit, order wareness materials and fundraising items, and find out ways you can raise and send your funds to Ovacome.
Step 3: decide how you will raise your funds. Will you create a fundraising page and ask for donations online, or will you use an Ovacome collection pot to collect cash? Does your event has a ticket price or suggested donation?
More info: creating your 30th anniversary fundraising page
If you are holding a Together at the Table event, you can encourage supporters to donate to your page if they don't have cash on the day. You could even encourage your guests to send the ticket price or the suggested donation to your fundraising page in the lead-up to your event.
When you create a fundraising page on Ovacome, you can personalise it with your story and add as many blog and photo updates as you would like. Make it your own! Make sure you share the link to your page online and encourage your supporters to tick the Gift Aid box if they are eligible.
QR Codes
If you create a fundraising page, we can create a QR code for your page, which we can add to your Ovacome fundraising poster or our special edition 30th anniversary menu and invite designs (see below).
When you create a fundraising page on Ovacome, you can personalise it with your story and add as many blog and photo updates as you would like. Make it your own! Make sure you share the link to your page online and encourage your supporters to tick the Gift Aid box if they are eligible.
QR Codes
If you create a fundraising page, we can create a QR code for your page, which we can add to your Ovacome fundraising poster or our special edition 30th anniversary menu and invite designs (see below).
How to collect donations in person: cash, sponsorship, bank transfer
Collecting funds in person is simple, and we can send you all the resources you need!
1. We can send you Ovacome collection pots to collect cash at your event.
2. If you're holding a smaller event, it may be more appropriate for your guests to send you their donation via bank transfer. Once you have collected your donations, get in touch with our team so we can send you our bank details or a paying-in slip for cash donations.
3. You can also download our sponsorship form to collect pledges of support in your community. Make sure your donors leave their address and select YES to Gift Aid if they are applicable! Download the sponsorship form to print from Ovacome's fundraising hub.
Get your 30th anniversary materials
Register your event with us, and we will send you your Together at the Table fundraising pack! This includes a selection of posters and leaflets, a cardboard collection box, teal ribbons and BEAT cards suitable for the number of people at your event and some Ovacome balloons.
Visit our fundraising hub to download or order Ovacome awareness materials to display or hand out. You can also download the 30th anniversary menu and invite designs to print and use at your event.
Tables in our community
