When raising money, it can be helpful to have a mention in the media. While national media is difficult to get into, local media (like your local regional newspaper) is relatively easy. Often it’s as simple as sending a story outline in an email, and most papers list their editors email addresses online.

Most local newspapers are interested in local people doing things, so when you pitch make sure the focus is on the local person doing something remarkable (and not specifically an event or product).

Pitch example:

Subject: [Story Pitch] Local Mum organises ‘Rare Run’ for children with rare disease

Hi Tom,

Quick story idea for you:

I’m organising a ‘Rare Run’ on Saturday Feb 25 at Shorne Woods to raise money for Nonketotic Hyperglycinemia Research (as part of my 2018 London Marathon fundraising efforts) and would love more people in the area to learn about NKH and come along.

I’m expecting around 200 runners to take part and I’m inviting people to wear yellow and/or dress like bees.

I’m hoping there will be great pictures (for a follow up story perhaps?)

No running experience required: participants can walk or run around the 5k course and there will be cake and goodies at the end.

I’m 42, and have a son (Max, 15 months) who has Nonketotic Hyperglycinemia. It’s a rare genetic metabolic disorder – less than 40 children in the UK live with it, and there are only four researchers worldwide looking at treatment and cures. There’s more on my story here: http://justgiving.com/rarediseaserun

Let me know if you’re interested in covering my story. I’m on 07770 555123.

Thanks!

Janet.

Another Story Pitch Example:

Subject – Pitch: Local Mum publishes Childrens Book to raise funds for sons rare + terminal condition

Hi Jim,

I wondered whether the Wandsworth Guardian would be interested in a personal journey story of a local Wandsworth Mum?

Story Pitch:

Elly, 33, after being diagnosed as infertile after four failed IVF rounds was delighted to discover she was pregnant. Unfortunately her newborn – Baby Mikaere – had inherited a rare, and terminal disorder – Nonketotic Hyperglycinemia (NKH). Since the diagnosis, they have spent 8 weeks in intensive care and 6 weeks in hospice on end of life care – they were prepared to say goodbye. However, Mikaere had others ideas and lived. Now a happy 14-month-old, they are fundraising for an NKH cure.

Elly has published a childrens book (Eva the Adventurer) and sold over 100 copies on the day of release to raise funds for research into NKH.

Would Wandsworth Guardian be interested in the story? If so, let me know.

Thanks so much for your consideration.

Elly

07770555123
email@gmail.com
justgiving.com/team-mikaere
www.teammikaere.com

That pitch resulted in this story in the Wandsworth Guardian: Mum of toddler with rare disorder publishes book to fundraise a cure