How Dan did it

Dan Schaffer, 41, is a partner at international law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, and a keen racing cyclist. As news of the Sudan famine crisis broke early this summer, Dan decided to put his passion to good effect by asking his friends, colleagues and clients to sponsor him in two gruelling bike races in the French Alps in aid of MSF's Sudan operations.

He raised over £34,000 in the process, half of which through his online fundraising page.

Dan's challenge was so daunting that his friends colleagues and clients could not fail to donate. But there was method in his fundraising approach too.

"There are over 5,000 people in my firm worldwide. If I had used a hard-copy sponsorship form, I would only have talked to the people I know. Asking for sponsorship directly can also be slightly embarrassing. Email is a great medium - you can reach absolutely everyone in your organisation and clients, in and outside the UK."

Though the size and reach of Dan's address book undoubtedly played a key part in his fundraising success, Dan believes that content is almost as important.

"Many people in commercial organisations receive more than 100 emails a day. Unless you grab their attention immediately the opportunity is lost." His message, both in his email and on his fundraising page itself, conveyed the great urgency of the Sudan crisis, and depicted how "these people [MSF] deliver direct and immediate relief to immense suffering." It was an instant hit. Within thirty minutes of sending the email out, Dan's page had collected over £2,000.

"Setting up a site with Justgiving.com and donating online is very easy. It allows sponsorship at the click of a button. There is also no hassle with collection after the event. You will undoubtedly raise more - and with less effort too."