Fundraising events for your medical elective: quizzes, challenges & more

A well-run event can raise hundreds — sometimes thousands — towards your elective in a single evening. The trick is to pick the format that fits your time, your audience and your network. Here are the formats that consistently work for medical and nursing students, with a realistic sense of what each can bring in.

What raises the most?

Events with a ticket price + an extra revenue stream (raffle, auction, bar) raise far more than free events with a “donate if you like” message. A £5 quiz with a £1-per-entry raffle and a £2 bar margin can clear £400–£800 from 60–80 people; a free bake sale rarely tops £100. Charge a small amount with confidence.

Formats that work for healthcare students

Quiz night

The classic for a reason — easy to run, low cost, great margins. Book a pub function room (many host charity quizzes free), charge £4–£6 per person in teams of 4–6, run a £1 raffle on the side. Write 6 rounds of 10 questions, mix general/picture/music rounds. Realistic raise: £300–£800.

Sponsored physical challenge

A run, walk, hike, swim or cycle — anything you can sign up to in your area. Set up a JustGiving or GoFundMe page, post training updates on social, and ask for sponsorship per mile, per kilometre or a flat donation. Healthcare students get strong engagement from family and patients/employers. Realistic raise: £200–£1,500.

Bake sale or cake stall

Low effort, low ceiling — but it’s a great supplementary event. University libraries, hospital common rooms and faith groups will often host one free. Realistic raise: £50–£200.

Raffle or silent auction

Approach local businesses for prizes (pubs, restaurants, gyms, salons). Run alongside another event or as a standalone. A 50:50 raffle (half to you, half to the winner) is a popular legal format — check the rules in your country/region. Realistic raise: £100–£500.

Ticketed evening event

Comedy night, talent show, themed dinner, ceilidh, karaoke — anything that gets 60+ people in a room and selling tickets. Higher effort, but the ceiling is high. Realistic raise: £500–£2,000.

Skill auction or “buy a service”

Offer something you can do (a baking class, a private tutoring session, a haircut if you’ve got the skill, a cake order) and let people bid. Works well within a student cohort or workplace. Realistic raise: £100–£400.

Pick the event that fits you

How to plan an event in 6 steps

1. Pick a date 6–10 weeks ahead — enough time to promote, not so far that momentum dies.
2. Find a venue — pubs, churches, university bars and community halls will often host fundraisers free or for cost.
3. Get sponsorship in kind — prizes, free venue, free printing, free food. Local businesses say yes more often than you’d think (how to ask).
4. Promote — Facebook event, Instagram, WhatsApp groups, posters in your medical/nursing school, an email to your university year group. Pitch your story (see getting your message out).
5. Run it — bring change, take card payments (most banks now offer free SumUp/iZettle readers), have a friend on the door.
6. Follow up — post total raised + a thank-you on socials within 48 hours. Updates keep momentum for the next event and your online profile.

A few practical warnings

• Raffles and lotteries are regulated in the UK and most countries. Small in-person raffles at a private event are usually fine; selling tickets in advance or to the public may need a licence. Check the Gambling Commission rules before you start selling tickets widely.
• If you’re collecting in person, use a sealed tin and keep records. Most universities and venues have policies on this.
• Always make it clear the money is funding your personal elective, not a registered charity (unless you’ve partnered with one). Honesty protects you and your donors.

Keep going

One event rarely hits the full target. Most successful fundraisers do a mix — one event + an online profile + a couple of sponsors + applications to grants and bursaries. Back to the fundraising hub for the rest.