How Guts UK Raised Awareness & Funds with Custom Merch
We’ve had the pleasure of working with Guts UK, a charity on a mission to get people talking about guts – the good, the bad, and the downright difficult.
They’ve been using custom merch as a way to raise money, increase awareness, and spark conversations around digestive health.
And honestly?
They absolutely smashed it.
Spreading the Word With Pin Badges
The first ever product we made for Guts UK was a massive run of soft enamel pin badges and branded backing cards. These little pins were more than just a way to raise funds – they became a talking point.
Guts UK gave a bunch of them to healthcare professionals, including gastroenterologists, nurses, and consultants, to wear on their NHS lanyards.
It's a smart move ... putting their cause front and centre on the people most likely to understand (and care about) what they do.
They’ve also handed them out at events and fundraisers and selling them in shops, and they’ve been a big hit with supporters. One person even bought a load of them to hang on a wedding tree, instead of favours, in memory of a loved one. It's a fantastic and personal way to give back and keep the message going.
Tattoos, Social Media and a Bit of GUTS
Guts UK got creative with their branded temporary tattoos and ran a social campaign under the hashtag #GUTSelfie.
The idea was simple: send tattoos out to supporters with gut issues, get them to post a selfie wearing them on a set day, and flood Instagram with awareness.
It worked.
Their Instagram following jumped by 250%, and their Linktree clicks went up by 550%. A superb example of how a small, affordable promo item can lead to a massive boost in visibility.
As Jenny from Guts UK told us:
“We’ve been really happy with everything Made by Cooper has created for us – from temporary tattoos, to pin badges and trolley tokens.”
And about the tattoo campaign:
“It gave our community really visually exciting content to post. We gave them to people with gut issues and asked them to post on a specific day – it was an awareness campaign, and we’ll be doing the exact same next year.”
Practical and Punchy: Trolley Coin Keyrings
More recently, they (with our help) designed their own trolley coin keyrings.
You know these things, right?. Maybe you've got one on your car keys?
Handy little products that double up as both a keyring and a way to avoid the dreaded “I’ve left my quid at home ... AGAIN!” moment as you approach the trolley shed at Sainsbury's.
Guts UK used these to raise money at events and online. People love practical products, especially when they support a good cause. They're easy to carry, low-cost, and, let’s be honest, everyone’s had to borrow a trolley coin at some point.
Want To Follow In Guts UK's Footsteps?
If you're a wellbeing charity looking to raise money, boost awareness, or just get people talking, take a leaf out of Guts UK’s book.
Custom merch isn’t just about sticking your logo on something; it’s about giving people a reason to care, share, and support.
Want help getting started?
Check out our Wellbeing, Health & Fitness client page for inspiration, or get in touch; we’d love to see how we can help.