I’m a Gorilla Defender!
Fundraise for the gorillas!
We rely on donations to fund the work we do to protect the gorillas, support the HUGO volunteers and engage with the local communities to promote compassion and respect for wildlife.
Nothing we do is possible without the generosity and support of incredible people like you.
Our fundraisers run marathons, cycle long distances, and come up with creative ideas to raise money for Gorilla Defenders UK — join them and help us create a kinder world, a more compassionate world – a world in which mountain gorillas can live without fear of poaching, habitat loss and persecution.
Previous Gorilla Defender fundraisers
Mike Hill
Mike Hill, co-founder of One Planet Pizza, took on the IRONMAN triathlon in Denmark to raise money for Gorilla Defenders.
Read his story here.
Join the Gorilla Defender fundraisers
Uganda’s mountain gorillas need you!
Gorilla Defenders help us to create a kinder world, a more compassionate world – a world in which Uganda’s mountain gorillas are free from persecution and safe from threats.
Through your effort, we can promote Gorilla Defender’s work to even more people and do even more to not only protect the gorillas but protect the protectors of the gorillas.
Your hard work will allow Gorilla Defenders UK to continue our vital initiatives working with HUGO to train and support volunteers to protect the critically endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi National Park from the threat of poaching. The money you raise for Gorilla Defenders UK directly supplies HUGO with much-needed rainproof wear and field equipment.
If you have a fundraising idea, we’d love to hear it! Simply fill out the form below and let us know.
If you have already planned an event or activity, please let us know in advance so we can help to promote your challenge and get you the best audience possible.
Fundraising ideas
Have fun choosing the right activity to fundraise with. With so many charities and fundraisers out there, it can be hard to pick something which will really stand out. With that in mind, here are a few pieces of advice which will help you choose the best activity for you.
Pick something which people will know is difficult. It might sound really great to be sponsored to eat cake every day, but this isn’t something which will grab your potential sponsors’ attention.
Choose something which is outside of your usual comfort zone so that people (especially people you know) will see that you are making a particular effort with your fundraising.
Make your activity stand out. Perhaps you would like to hop a marathon in a gorilla outfit? Maybe you would like to break the world baked-bean-bathing record?
Have fun with the gorilla theme. Ideas include:
Go wild for gorillas! – commit to a daring challenge eg shaving your head, wearing a gorilla costume for the day and ask for sponsorships
Hike for gorillas – a themed run or walk of a distance relating to a gorilla’s habitat range and ask for people to donate per mile
Wildlife trivia night – with a gorilla theme
Arrange a ‘Dine for Gorillas’ night at your favourite restaurant
Create for gorillas – if you’re creative, sell gorilla-themed art, jewellery, home décor etc
Host a ‘declutter for gorillas’ sale – sell unwanted items via an online marketplace and donate profits
Including a personal story about your goals and the reasons for them can be very compelling – as can making fun and silly additions to a good idea. Have a brainstorm (on your own or with friends) and see what you can come up with.
Have a think about who you might ask to sponsor you.
Gorilla Defenders UK will promote your activity in a way that works best with what you have chosen to do.
However, the ability to reach new audiences is one of the best things about fundraising. Have a think about whether you have any contacts who might be happy to promote your activity – and whether you can build up a relationship with the people you promote to, so that you can increase their interest in what you’re doing.
Frequently asked questions
I would like to fundraise. What kinds of things can I do?
There are endless possibilities for fundraising. The only thing that Viva! require is that the event or activity that you take part in is, as far as possible, vegan. For example, if you want to enter a pie-eating contest, make sure that they provide vegan pies!
Take a look at our fundraising ideas above.
Can you help me promote my event?
Yes! We can help out with promoting your event on Facebook, creating pages on the Viva! and Gorilla Defenders UK site and with other things relevant to your fundraising activity. Everyone’s activity is different – and so is every person who raises funds for us. Get in touch with us to discuss the options for promoting your fundraising.
Complete the contact form [LINK]
Do I need to arrange anything in order to raise funds for Gorilla Defenders UK?
There are a few things that we will need you to do before fundraising for us. The first is to let us know that you will be fundraising for Gorilla Defenders UK, and what you intend to do.
Secondly, ensure that you have adequate insurance for the activity you plan to do, if relevant. Many organised events include insurance for participants, but it is best to check with them what you will be covered for.
Viva! can provide third-party liability insurance for fundraising events that are held solely in support of Viva! (i.e. if you are fundraising for multiple charities, this will not apply), but this will not cover you in case of personal injury or accident. We advise you, particularly if your activity is risky in any way, to take out temporary personal insurance to cover any issues that could arise during the event.
Finally, we want to ensure that the promotion for your event is as effective as possible. So, if you have any pictures that you would be happy for us to include on our page, please email them to [insert email address]. High-quality originals get the best results! Complete the contact form [LINK] to let us know about your event and we will send you the email you can send photos to.