Hi All

Apologies, I am somewhat new to all this stuff. I have done some fundraising in the past but I am looking to start my own charity. I know, big leap. The reason for this leap is because I want to be able to spread my fundraising over a number of (mainly local) charities/causes, so my charity will exist only to raise funds & awareness for these other charities/causes (hope that makes sense).

I have done quite a bit of research so far, not enough some may argue, but I’m struggling with a few things in terms of just getting started. If anyone can offer help/opinions etc, I would massively appreciate it cos this idea is just constantly in my mind & if I don’t at least try, I know I’ll regret it.

Firstly, and I know this is the most basic of basics, the charitable purpose. I’ve been looking at other group’s purposes on the Charity Commission website etc, but I can’t figure out if the following is sufficient:

I’m struggling with getting it vague/wide enough to allow me to cover what I’m trying to do, while also being specific enough to be accepted. Help?

Secondly, I’m 99% certain I’m going to go for Foundation CIO (if I can find two other trustees, but that’s a different story). If I am selling merchandise, do I need a separate trading arm, especially if sales will be almost exclusively online & potentially to abroad? I’m fairly certain I don’t but if anyone can clarify, that would be great.

Thirdly, can the registered address for a charity be a PO Box (or similar)? For safeguarding reasons for my family, I cannot have my home address in the public sphere, but I won’t be looking to have a physical office. So is a PO Box an option, &/or is there any other options regarding this?

Lastly (for now), is it important (or even necessary) to trademark your charity branding? And if so, any tips on how I go about this?

Like I say, I am new to this. I’ve never ran my own business either. I just have an idea in my head & want to at least try to pursue it. Thanks in advance, David.