Today’s post is a guest post from St Dunstan’s, so we’ll let them take centre stage!
Here at St Dunstan’s, we are big fans of Just Giving because of the excellent support it gives to our fundraising community, enabling them to more easily and effectively boost their fund and awareness raising efforts in support of St Dunstan’s work with blind ex-Servicemen and women.
We recently announced our 100k London to Brighton Walk and we’ve noticed that a fair few of the people taking part are using JustGiving as their first choice fundraising platform. There’s Grace, Nicky and Anna from the team “R WeThere Yet?”, Mark, AJ, Daryl and Mike from RBS, and Amanda, Lorraine, Sharon and Vanessa – otherwise known as “The Bexley Ladies”.
“A real test of endurance, strength and mental resolve – completing the challenge will require us to push ourselves to the limit whilst supporting each other and walk together through the day and night towards the finish line!”
Each story is an inspiration and we’ve been using JustGiving’s photo and video features to help spread the word. One example is the event we held at Liverpool Street station, where we completed 100k in around 2 hours (though we did have some help from a pair of treadmills and an army of supporters):
One particular St Dunstaner who has been providing inspiration for the 100k fundraisers is Mike Scholes, a visually impaired former Royal Navy pilot and someone who certainly likes a challenge. Mike became severely sight impaired in November 2007 and had to give up his ballooning business.
In April 2010, Mike trekked the last degree to the geographic North Pole in a small group led by David Hempleman-Adams. He pulled a sledge with his food, clothing, tent and survival kit for 60 miles over rugged and difficult terrain in extreme conditions. Soon after that, Mike took part in the Virgin London Marathon, clocking in a respectable time.
Mike raised over £13,000 through JustGiving through both of these challenges, all in aid of St Dunstan’s.
This year, Mike is gearing up to lead hundreds of people on a unique 24 hour/100k walk from London to Brighton on the Saturday, 11 June 2011, in aid of St Dunstan’s.
57 year old Mike is looking forward to the challenge: “This is an exciting and unique challenge and I am really looking forward to it. It will be great to be with lots of other people walking through the night to raise awareness and money for St. Dunstan’s. It is a fantastic charity which does so much to support ex- Servicemen and women.”
Mike and the other participants are busy preparing for the challenge – taking extended walks, breaking in new walking boot – so they’re well prepared. But the funds they are raising for St Dunstan’s are also part of the challenge. For St Dunstan’s and our fundraisers, JustGiving creates an easy and engaging way to do just that, leaving us free to concentrate on the walking.
Wish us luck!
Tags: brighton, London, mike scholes, St Dunstan’s, walk, YouTube