FAQs

What does MAG do?
Why is MAG needed?
Where will my money go?
What kind of event can I hold?
How do I organise my event?
When can I hold my event?
How much do I have to raise?
What can I do to publicise my event?
How do I ensure everything runs smoothly on the day/night?
What about insurance and a licence?
How else does MAG raise money?

What does MAG do?

MAG (Mines Advisory Group) is a neutral and impartial humanitarian organisation that clears the remnants of conflict – including anti-personnel and anti-vehicle mines, explosive weapons, ammunition, abandoned and unexploded ordnance, small arms and light weapons – for the benefit of communities worldwide.

MAG is co-laureate of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize, awarded for its work with the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, which culminated in the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty – the international agreement that bans anti-personnel landmines, sometimes referred to as the Ottawa Convention.

MAG works in current and former conflict zones, enabling recovery and assisting the development of affected populations. MAG consults with local communities and works to lessen the threat of death and injury. It releases reclaimed and safe land and other vital resources back to the local population, helping countries to rebuild and develop their social and economic potential.

For more information about MAG's work, please go to www.maginternational.org/about.

Why is MAG needed?

More than 80 countries are affected by remnants of armed conflict. The number of landmines that contaminates the world is unknown but should be counted in millions. In human terms it is estimated that between 15,000 and 20,000 become casualties every year – that’s around one person every 20 minutes. In some countries about one third of casualties of landmines and other remnants of armed conflict are children.

The devastation is much wider than physical; living on mined land can affect every aspect of a person’s daily life when fear of doing the simplest things is the first thing on their mind.

Where will the money go?

MAG relies entirely on contributions to fund its life-saving work and is proud of the fact that more than 90 per cent of its income is spent directly in the field. This includes, for example:

• undertaking emergency action such as clearing the land of dangerous items in Lebanon and Sri Lanka

• transforming minefields into safe agricultural land

• employing local people (including former soldiers and amputees) in some of the world's poorest countries and retraining them to be medics, deminers, awareness trainers and supervisors

• clearing schools and buildings used as ammunition stores, so children can get an education in safety

• destroying weapons in war-torn countries

• educating people on the dangers of living in areas contaminated by weapons, so they can protect themsleves and their families

• clearing paths of landmines so broken water-pumping stations or power lines can be repaired

You can rest assured whatever you raise from your Music Beats Mines it will be put to use helping to create a more sustainable future for generations to come.

What kind of event can I hold?

A sponsored busk, music quiz, poetry night, acoustic gig, open mike night, church choir, musical, folk/jazz evening, themed night, living room gig, disco, battle of the bands, school choir recital, ceilidh, medieval banquet, world music party (top tip: pick a country where MAG is working), cabaret, dance-off, lunchtime gig in the office... You can hold any kind of fundraising event you fancy.

There really is no limit to what you can make out of Music Beats Mines; the more original the idea the more appealing it will be to the folk of your town. No matter how small or ambitious you choose to be, all money raised will go a long way towards helping a conflict-affected community get back on its feet.

We’ll provide you with materials, inspiration and support. Call the fundraising team for help, advice, or just a chat on 0161 236 4311. Or email us at fundraising@maginternational.org.

How do I organise my event?

The first step is to download the Music Beats Mines Fundraising Kit and Survival Guide, which is packed with useful tips and advice, checklist and a basic media strategy, including a press release template.

When can I hold my event?

Music Beats Mines runs between September and December 2009.

How much do I have to raise?

As much as you can! Please be realistic: small events often raise more money than large, high maintenance ones. But still remember to aim high and ask for help! Call the fundraising team on 0161 236 4311 or email fundraising@maginternational.org.

Tell us about the event you have planned and we’ll get our Media and PR Officer to help raise its profile. Getting your event sponsored is a surefire way of increasing your income; sometimes venues sponsor events or ask local shops and businesses. They’ll often donate goods or services if they can’t sponsor the whole event.

Getting someone to print your flyers or donate a prize all helps keep your overheads down and thus raise more money for MAG and make you the king or queen of fundraising!

Setting up a JustGiving page for your event is a good idea (www.justgiving.com/mag); often people donate more online and you can sell tickets this way too making the donation list your guest list. Set your spirits and your fundraising target high!

What can I do to publicise my event?

Tell us about the event you have planned and we’ll help raise its profile. We’ll provide you with materials, inspiration and support. Contact the fundraising team on 0161 236 4311 or fundraising@maginternational.org.

How do I ensure everything runs smoothly on the day/night?

It could be useful to enlist a stage manager to oversee the smooth running of the event. In the run-up to your MBM event, the more hands you have the better, but at this point make sure there is one point of contact for the venue and artists and anyone else that might need prompt advice at the last minute.

Draw up a set list for the night and hand out to everyone involved, including unloading/loading, sound checks, opening time, performance schedule and curfew. Don’t forget the small essentials on the night, like the collection buckets and stickers that we can provide and also a float for the door. We can also send you posters and balloons to make your event MAG branded so no-one can escape your message!

Added extras during your event like competitions or raffles are a good way to keep your crowd excited and don’t forget to have a plethora of MAG materials around the venue to keep people motivated and excited about why they are there. Don’t forget to take lots of photos of your event too and send them to fundraising@maginternational.org and we’ll get them up on the website.

What about legal matters?

It’s your responsibility to make sure the venue has all the necessary safety and security arrangements for the event. They should have all this covered; it’s just a matter of reassuring yourself. If you need any information on health and safety issues visit www.hse.gov.uk.

Your local St John Ambulance can provide information on health and safety and you might want to even invite them to be there at your event especially if it’s an outdoor family event. Visit www.sja.org.uk for more information. It’s important to mention, MAG cannot accept responsibility for accidents during your event.

MAG cannot accept any liability for events run under the Music Beats Mines name. Check with your local authority that you have all the necessary permissions including trading standards, health and safety, licensing and security. Your local police force will need to be informed if you are planning an outdoor event with large crowds that might disrupt traffic and everyday goings-on. Informing the police might also give you piece of mind that everyone will be happy and safe too and may ease the running on the day.

For venues that don’t usually have live music you’ll have to get your hands on a Temporary Event Notice which you can obtain from your local authority. Also, in order to sell alcohol in an unlicensed space you’ll need to do the same.

If you are organising a raffle, ask us for information on regulations for guidance – there are strict guidelines that you must adhere to. However, if you just plan to sell tickets on the night and draw the raffle on the night, you don’t need a licence.

Please be aware of your own personal safety, particularly if you’re carrying money around on the night.

How else does MAG raise money?

Registered as a charitable company in the United Kingdom, MAG is funded through donations and grants from the general public, governments, the European Union and trusts and foundations. MAG is a signatory of the International Committee of the Red Cross Code of Conduct and is an ISO 9001:2008 accredited organisation.