Nearly nine in 10 people who took part in mass events hit their fundraising target in the past year, research has found.

A survey of nearly 2,500 people – 773 of whom participated in a fundraising event – found that 86 per cent of mass event fundraisers who set a fundraising target managed to hit it, with half of these fundraisers exceeding their goals.

This year’s annual Mass Events report from the fundraising platform Enthuse found that 70 per cent of fundraisers who set a target raised more than £500, compared with just 38 per cent of those who did not set a fundraising goal.

According to the research, seven in 10 fundraisers set a fundraising target for themselves.

The research, which was carried out in September, found that 39 per cent of mass event fundraisers raise up to £500 per event, 48 per cent raise between £500 and £3,000 and 13 per cent raise more than £3,000.

The report says the proportion of fundraisers raising between £500 to £3,000 per event has risen by seven percentage points since last year to 48 per cent. The number raising more than £3,000 increased by two percentage points, it found.

The research found that one in four people said they were committed to participating in a charity event in the next year. 

It adds that young people account for a significant proportion of this, with 14 per cent of 18- to 34-year-olds having already signed up to participate in one and 19 per cent saying they plan to.

It found that two-thirds of charity event participants were motivated to take part because of the opportunity to raise funds for a cause, while 40 per cent said the social element was a key motivation for them.

Chester Mojay Sinclare, chief executive and founder of Enthuse, said: “Mass participation events are leading the way for third sector fundraising income. They’re a staple for charities and it’s fantastic to see so many people committed to taking part in the next 12 months. 

“Importantly for the sector, fundraising for a good cause is at the heart of why people choose to get involved in an event or give to someone who is. The difficulty of the event isn’t necessarily the main driver for donations.”