Is it legal to collect donations from people for volunteer work? UK?

Question

I want to collect donations from people as i am going to be doing some volunteer work. I doubt i will make over £500. Is this legal? or will i have to register as a charity? UK answers only please

Answer 1

sorry dear i dont have any idea

Answer 2

NO you cannot ,, to be able to collect donations you must be a registered collector working for a charity,,

If you get monies given to you from people that you know to fund your cause, then its a gift

Answer 3

Oscar's answer is incorrect. I assume you're going overseas to do this volunteer work? You don't need to register as a charity. A friend of mine (near Bath) was going overseas to volunteer during her gap year, and she contacted the local newspaper. They did an article about her trip and she received a lot of donations towards her costs. These are considered gifts - you don't need to set up a charity in order to receive these. Of course, the same goes for family and friends. (The same goes for people fundraising at work or school - you don't need to set yourself up as a charity to do this.)

Answer 4

You can collect donations as long as you dont describe them as charity donations - as long as you make it clear what the money is for, you will be legal.