# We're walking on sunshine

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2009/05/29/we039re-walking-sunshine/
- Published: 2009-05-29T08:36:05+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

But does this mean it is raining in our hearts?!

 

The people of Britain are obsessed with the weather, some of us more so than others(
you know who you are, Penny Stephens).

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A little bit of sunshine in our lives does seem to work wonders. As I trundle to
work each morning, I have noticed more people out jogging, cycling to work, walking
weans (children to the non Scots) to school, and wearing T shirts but fortunately
few have risked shorts.

 

Most remarkably of all, people are smiling, saying hello and exchanging a few words
with neighbours and strangers alike. Collectively, despite all the economic doom
and gloom and our outrage at the graft ridden canker that is Westminster, we all
seem a little happier and well, sunnier.

 

But is this good news for fundraising? When do people give more? Has anyone ever
wondered (or is it just me?!) if the weather and its impact on our general countenance
encourages us to give more or less. When people feel good about themselves does 
it inspire them to give more to more good causes? And to do more to raise money?
Or is it when we feel the fates are against us and put upon by the wind and the 
rain that we are more likely to find comfort in a common weal?

 

Has anyone ever analysed their own or a group of fundraising results by season? 
Taking out the spike that is Christmas for many organisations, is winter any better
or worse generally than summer on fundraising activities that do not carry a seasonal
incentive?

 

Perhaps the psychological impact of weather matters less than fundraising’s potential
swift footedness to take advantage. Given the forecasts of a long hot summer, how
many fundraising teams have considered how they might take advantage of that, perhaps
by introducing more outdoor related fundraising activities.

 

Sponsored walks and barbeques might just be the next big thing….

 

 * **[The feelgood factor – lessons from psychology](https://fundraising.co.uk/2009/07/08/feelgood-factor-lessons-psychology/)**(
   8 July 2009)
 * **[Video interview with Beth Breeze on fundraising research](https://fundraising.co.uk/2009/07/10/video-interview-beth-breeze-fundraising-research/)**(
   10 July 2009)
 * **[New peer-reviewed journal for voluntary sector research](https://fundraising.co.uk/2010/03/28/new-peerreviewed-journal-voluntary-sector-research/)**(
   28 March 2010)