In 2020-2021, I decided to launch a mushroom farm, Margate Mushrooms, as a social enterprise, part of Margate Independent Food Bank CIC. The idea was simple but ambitious: grow mushrooms to create employment and raise funds for the food bank. To get it off the ground, I ran a crowdfunding campaign on Spacehive with a target of £42,000. I was doing it completely alone, in the middle of a pandemic, with no team around me. If you’ve ever tried to raise that kind of money by yourself, you’ll know how overwhelming it feels. If you’ve done it during COVID, you’ll know how isolating it was too.

I was really struggling when Funding for All got in touch. Kerry called to tell me they could match me with a mentor, and honestly? I cried for ten minutes. That phone call came at exactly the right moment. Through Funding for All, I was paired with Michelle, and she was absolutely brilliant. I didn’t need someone to do it for me – I just needed someone to laugh with, cry with, test ideas with, and have beside me while I tackled something enormous. Michelle was exactly that person.

We hit the £42,000 target. The farm is still running. We’re now in our fifth year. If you’re working in the charity or social enterprise sector and you’re facing a big fundraising challenge – especially if you’re doing it alone – please don’t underestimate what the right mentor can do. It’s not just practical support. Sometimes it’s the difference between giving up and getting it done.

Inspired by Darryn’s story? Your organisation could achieve more with the right support behind you. Discover how our Mentoring Programme can help you develop your fundraising and make an even bigger.