Thurso and District Pipe Band
The Chosen Charity
Thurso and District Pipe Band is a community pipe band based in Thurso, Caithness, Scotland. The band competes at grade level and participates in community events, parades, and Highland Games throughout the year.
Donations go towards instrument maintenance and replacement, travel to competitions, and supporting band members who may need financial assistance to participate.
How Your £11.50 Entry Breaks Down
Your entry fee is split into three distinct components. This structure is essential for Gift Aid compliance — the donation and the game entry are completely separate transactions.
Donation to Thurso and District Pipe Band
Eligible for Gift Aid — see below
Game Play Entry
Separate purchase — NOT a donation
Platform Fee
Not a donation
The game entry (£5.00) is a separate product purchase — a skill-based competition entry. It is not a benefit of donating, and its existence does not affect the validity of Gift Aid on the £5.00 donation.
Gift Aid
Boost your £5.00 donation to £6.25 at no extra cost
What is Gift Aid?
Gift Aid is a UK government scheme that allows charities to claim an extra 25p for every £1 donated by a UK taxpayer. If you are a UK taxpayer, your £5.00 donation to Thurso and District Pipe Band becomes £6.25 at absolutely no extra cost to you.
HMRC Gift Aid Declaration
"I want to Gift Aid my £5.00 donation to Thurso and District Pipe Band and any donations I make in the future or have made in the past 4 years."
I am a UK taxpayer and understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations in that tax year, it is my responsibility to pay any difference.
To Claim Gift Aid You Must:
Be a UK taxpayer
Pay at least as much Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax as the charity will claim (25p per £1 donated)
Provide your full name, home address, and postcode
Make the declaration above — you can withdraw it at any time
Important
Gift Aid applies only to the £5.00 donation. It does not apply to the £5.00 game entry or the £1.50 platform fee. You must not claim Gift Aid on the full £11.50 payment.
Thurso and District Pipe Band will claim £5.00 × 25% = £1.25 per eligible donation from HMRC. If you are not a UK taxpayer, please do not tick the Gift Aid box.
You can opt into or withdraw from Gift Aid at any time from your Account Settings. Withdrawal takes effect for future donations only — Thurso and District Pipe Band may already have claimed on past donations.
HMRC Compliance — What Gift Aid Covers
To comply with HMRC rules, entry fees and donations are always shown separately. Gift Aid applies to donations only.
How Funds Are Managed
Thurso and District Pipe Band banks the competition
All entry fees are collected and held by Thurso and District Pipe Band. Of the £11.50 entry: £5.00 is a charitable donation, £5.00 funds the prize pot (50% to top 10 winners, 50% retained by the band), and £1.50 covers the platform fee.
Only paid entries contribute
Free entries do not contribute to the prize pot or the charity donation. Only paid entries (£11.50) form the financial pool.
Prize payments and Gift Aid records
All prize payments are made directly by Thurso and District Pipe Band within 28 days of the final result. Gift Aid donor records are retained by Thurso and District Pipe Band for a minimum of 6 years as required by HMRC.
About Thurso and District Pipe Band
Thurso and District Pipe Band was formed to promote and preserve the tradition of Scottish pipe music in the far north of Scotland. The band comprises pipers and drummers of various ages and experience levels, from beginners to experienced competitors.
The band participates in the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) competition circuit and represents the Thurso community at local events, Highland Games, and civic occasions throughout the year.