Make a difference with every cup and cake
Whether it’s a bake sale, coffee morning, or something totally unique – hosting your own event is a fun and meaningful way to support children, young people and adults born with a cleft.
Every pound you raise helps CLAPA provide vital emotional, practical and community support across the UK. CLAPA receives no government or NHS funding – our work is powered entirely by incredible fundraisers like you.
Ready to start?
Let us know what you have planned and order your resources
How to run your own Cuppa For CLAPA event
Choose the kind of event that feels right for you!
- Bake cakes and sweet treats for a classic Bake Sale 🍰
- Gather your friends or colleagues for a cosy Cuppa for CLAPA ☕
- Organise a tea party, quiz night, or dress-down day — whatever makes people smile.
There’s no right or wrong way – if it brings people together, it’s perfect.
• Choose a date that doesn’t clash with events in your community.
• Choose your venue: at home, in a local community centre or even at work.
• Get your community involved – are there any local groups who may want to run a stall or help in some way?
• Don’t forget that not everyone likes coffee, so include tea and soft drink options too.
• Ask your local supermarket or bakery if they would donate some cakes to help keep your expenses down. We can give you a letter confirming that you’re fundraising in aid of CLAPA if you email [email protected]
• Volunteers: Make sure you have helpers to set up, serve the coffee, and bake cakes!
Fundraise
Make sure you let us know about your coffee morning so we can send you some materials to decorate the venue with.
• Ask for a donation for drinks and food.
• Add some extra activities: have a tasting competition and ask your friends to vote for their favourite cake, hold a quiz, or hold a jumble sale, clothes swap or raffle.
Take a look at the Food Standards Agency website in advance to ensure that you follow their guidance when selling food (food.gov.uk).
Label any food with any ingredients that could cause an allergic reaction.
For more health and safety guidance please see our safe and legal fundraising page.
On the day, enjoy yourself! Serve cake, pour tea, and share why CLAPA matters to you. Every conversation helps raise awareness and understanding of cleft lip and palate.
Afterwards:
- Collect and send your donations using the instructions in the pack.
- Share your photos and fundraising total with us – we’d love to celebrate your success!
Our Cuppa for CLAPA was such a joy – people were generous, curious, and loved learning about CLAPA’s work. It felt great to give back.Emily, fundraiser from Essex
Bake Sales
No bake sale would be complete without a selection of the classics – the brownies, cupcakes, and crispy chocolate cakes – but why not encourage people to bring some bigger items too?
A big cake will add some variety to your table. It’s easier to package up and will sell for a lot more money too.
Ask your friends, family and colleagues first if they would like to participate. You can also reach a bigger audience by putting a shout-out for keen bakers on social media or popping upsome posters or flyers in your community. Just make sure to keep a record of who is baking what, and how much to expect!
TOP TIP: Don’t forget to order fundraising materials such as leaflets, banners and balloons at least 2 weeks ahead of the event! Order here .
Ensure you have plenty of plates, cutlery, and secure ways of collecting cash, plus a float for giving change.
For a cashless event, set up a JustGiving page and print out QR codes to accept the donations. Decorate the room in all things CLAPA!
Make things as easy as possible for customers, so work out your prices beforehand and make sure that all the cakes are clearly labelled. Could you do a deal on coffee and cake pairing?
TOP TIP: You could try selling your treats with a ‘suggested donation’ instead of a fixed price. Often, people will donate more if there is no set price.
When everything is planned and your event day is here, it’s time to enjoy yourself! Make sure you tell people why you’re helping CLAPA.
Send a quick email or text to anyone who helped you straight after your coffee morning to thank them for helping.
Get your event in any local papers or newsletters. Send a press release with a photo and final total.
Event Ideas & Inspiration
Spread the word
Emails, WhatsApp Groups, Facebook Events or even a written invitation can help to get the word out. You could even try putting up posters in your local area or workplace.
For bigger coffee mornings, aimed at a local community, you can try asking local shops, churches, and clubs to put up posters. You could use social media for this too!
Create a online fundraising page and that way people who can’t attend can still make a donation online .
More Ideas!
Looking for something different? Try:
- Dress-down or Wear it Blue day at work or school
- Office bake-off with prizes for the best treat
- Community brunch with live music
- Tea-and-tunes at your local hall
No matter how small or simple, your event can change lives.
We’re here to help with ideas, resources, and encouragement.
020 7833 4883
We can send:
- Posters and infomation leaflets
- CLAPA-branded collection tins
- Your own CLAPA t-shirt
Useful resources
Resources for fundraising
Whilst fundraising can be a daunting task, our friendly fundraising team are here to help you every step of the way.
Pay in money
Find out how to pay in your donation or fundraising
Safe and legal fundraising
As a fundraiser, you are legally considered a trustee of the funds you raise.