The Big Copper Count-Up

The Big Copper Count-Up is a large money container that travels around local businesses such as pubs, schools and shops for people to donate any copper and loose change to Bloodwise! The Big Copper Count-Up so far has collected over £11,000 for Bloodwise over the last three years, and has been running under our branch for that last two years following the slogan ‘every penny counts’. 

 

 

The Big Copper Count-Up was an idea that came about before the formation of our branch when we were fundraising for Bloodwise. The idea was simple, we wanted to create something that the whole community could become involved in to support our work. The idea of the large container - that is a bit different to your regular collection tub, that is able to travel around the area for people to visit in different locations, but most importantly follow its progress through the clear Perspex frontage has brought the community together in supporting the campaign and being more than willing to drop in a few coppers here and there. With this idea in mind we approached Buttons Wood, a local woodyard and shared our vision with them. Fortunately they were more than keen to support us and happily built the Big Copper Count-Up for us. 

 

 

So far the Big Copper Count-Up has travelled to pubs, schools, shops, and even a hairdressing salon! Most importantly once the Big Copper Count-Up has arrived at these locations it has sparked motivation for fundraising in an attempt to fill the tower as much as possible, and obtain the top spot on the Big Copper Count-Up leader board which adds a degree of rivalry among the locations – The Butchers Arms were desperate for the Big Copper Count-Up to return to the pub having been knocked off the top spot by Winterton Community Academy in order to regain their position! Due to the size of the tower we never envisaged that it would be filled, however on its return to the Butchers Arms the Big Copper Count-Up was filled for the first time as part of their fundraising challenge to see the Mayor of Winterton jump at our bungee jump event in 2013! Other fundraising achievements that have been inspired by the Big Copper Count-Up have included a mile of pennies attempt, sponsored head shaving, balloon releases, beach parties, and even a councillors karaoke night.