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England

Events FAQs

Registration

I’m injured or can no longer participate. Can I get my registration fee refunded?

If you’re no longer able to take part, please let us know by emailing running@shelter.org.uk or cycling@shelter.org.uk, depending on your event.

Registration fees for charity places in events are non-refundable and cannot be transferred to someone else or deferred to the following year. If you secured your own place in the event, you’ll need to check the event’s refund policy, which you should be able to find on their website or on your registration confirmation.

If you become aware that your card has been used fraudulently, please contact your card provider.

If your donors would like a refund on the sponsorship they have given you, they’ll need to contact us directly with details of their payment.

Can I defer my place to next year?

Each deferral request is considered on a case-by-case basis dependent on circumstances and the event.

I haven’t received a confirmation email. Am I registered?

You should have received a confirmation email after registering. If you haven’t received this, please email running@shelter.org.uk or cycling@shelter.org.uk, depending on your event, or call 0344 515 1190 so we can check your email address. Before emailing us, do check your junk mail, as it may have ended up in there.

I’ve already registered. Why am I being asked to complete another registration form?

To confirm your charity place in an event, you need to confirm your details with the race organisers so they can generate your race number. If you fail to complete the registration process by the specified deadline, you won’t be able to take part on the day.

The event I want to take part in has sold out. Can I still get a charity place?

If we still have charity places available, you can register via our event pages. If we have sold out, we may be operating a waiting list, which you could join.

Can I still join the Shelter team if I have my own place in the event?

Of course! You can let us know you are taking part with your own place by filling in our quick and easy form. Once this is completed, we’ll get your Shelter top sent out to you!

How much does it cost to sign up for a challenge event?

We ask you to pay an initial registration fee to cover some of the cost of our charity places. Check the individual event page for more information on the exact cost.

Fundraising

Fundraising for my event

We are here to help with any fundraising queries and we are more than happy to talk through ideas with you! Great ways to fundraise include bake sales and pub quizzes. We have a range of fundraising resources, including our paper sponsorship form.

How do I send my cash donations to you?

Cash donations should be paid into your own account, then you can make the equivalent donation to your online fundraising page. Alternatively, you can send us a cheque or make a bank transfer.

Read the specifics for making offline donations via cheque and bank transfer.

I’m taking part with somebody else. Can we have a joint fundraising page?

Of course! You can set up a joint fundraising page and then let us know by emailing either running@shelter.org.uk or cycling@shelter.org.uk, depending on your event.

Raising a minimum sponsorship pledge

It's important to raise a minimum sponsorship pledge, as we invest in places at charity events. Each place is important to ensure we raise as much as possible to support our vital work.

Reaching my fundraising pledge

We’re here to support you with your fundraising as much as possible. Get in touch by emailing running@shelter.org.uk or call us on 0344 515 1190.

Not reaching your sponsorship pledge impacts on what Shelter can achieve, so please make sure you're confident in reaching this target before signing up to the event. The deadline for sending in your sponsorship is six weeks after event day.

How do I avoid committing to a minimum fundraising amount?

If you buy your own place in the event through the event organisers, we won’t ask you to commit to a minimum fundraising amount – just raise what you can! Once you have secured your own place, please let us know.

Does Gift Aid count towards my fundraising target?

Gift Aid is a fantastic way for Shelter to raise additional funds, with the UK Government adding an extra 25p to every £1 donated (providing the donor is a UK tax payer). The easiest way to claim Gift Aid is fundraising through an online giving platform, such as JustGiving.

It takes 8-10 weeks for a Gift Aid claim to be processed and for HMRC to forward on any money, meaning Gift Aid does not count towards your fundraising pledge. However, do encourage your donors to include Gift Aid in their donations where possible, as it’s a fantastic way to help Shelter raise extra funds.

Can my money go to a specific project?

The money you raise will go to the areas of our work that need it most. This allows us to be more efficient with your donations, meaning we can reach more people that need our help.

Can I fundraise on Facebook?

If you fundraise through Facebook, please let us know by sharing your URL and emailing running@shelter.org.uk or cycling@shelter.org.uk, depending on your event, or call 0344 515 1190.

On the day

What support can I expect from Shelter?

Once you register, we'll be in touch regularly with training advice, fundraising support and information about Shelter. And, before race day, you'll get a race T-shirt.

Will Shelter be there on the day?

We try to get to as many events as we can to support Team Shelter on the day. However, we unfortunately can’t have a physical presence at every single event our supporters take part in. If we’re attending an event, we will let you know, and you will receive more information about where we will be on the course around six weeks before the event. If we can’t make your event but your friends and family would like some cheering materials, please email running@shelter.org.uk or cycling@shelter.org.uk, depending on your event.

When will I receive my race pack?

Your race pack is sent out by the race organisers, so you’ll need to visit the FAQ section on the event organisers’ website to find out.

My Shelter top doesn’t fit. Can I swap it for a different size?

Of course! Please email running@shelter.org.uk or cycling@shelter.org.uk, depending on your event, to request another size. We’d appreciate it if you can return your other top to the address below:

Shelter Events Team
88 Old Street
London
EC1V 9HU

If I have other questions, who do I contact?

For any other queries, please email us at running@shelter.org.uk or cycling@shelter.org.uk, depending on your event, or call 0344 515 1190. We will do our very best to help.