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Local Events
Central North & North Eastern England
Community Development Officer - Matt Clarke
Hello, I am your local Community Development Officer and I cover the following counties: Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and East Yorkshire.
My role is to offer support to local people whose lives have been touched by meningitis. I also work with supporters of the Trust to raise funds through a range of fundraising activities. Raising awareness of the Trust and the disease is also a key part of my role so I regularly visit local community groups to give talks and also work with local media.
If I can help out with anything you are planning or if you need more information about the work of the Trust, then please do either give me a call on 0845 120 4763 or email me at: matthewc@meningitis-trust.org.
If you are looking for inspiration on how to support the Trust in 2010, please check out our suggestions below for New Year’s resolutions.
Thinking about a challenge?
Why not set yourself a challenge whilst at the same time raising vital funds for the Meningitis Trust?
Running – there are lots of running events throughout the region from fun runs right up to full marathons. Dates for the diary include The Great Yorkshire Run in Sheffield on September 5, The Bradford City Marathon, Half Marathon, 10 Mile or 5 mile on October 17 & The Sheffield Percy Pud 10K on 5 Dec. (details on these and more below). To search for a race near to you, visit the Runners World website which has a full list.
Cycling – organise a sponsored bike ride; no matter what your ability, there will be a cycle route close to you. See the below cycling section for more details.
Triathlon – take part in this multi-sport endurance event consisting of swimming, cycling and running in immediate succession over various distances. See the below section for more details.
Slimathon – set your own target and get sponsored for every pound you lose. Be sure to do it healthily though - it's best to aim to lose no more than 1-2 lbs a week. For more advice, click here.
Banish that nasty habit – it’s not always giving up that one habit that we would ideally like to stop. Telling your family and friends that you are going to ‘give it up’ and raise money at the same time helps motivate you to resist the urge of falling back into the trap. Feeling brave and want a bigger challenge – why not try a 10,000ft freefall parachute jump? You can jump for free if you raise a minimum amount of sponsorship. There are a variety of venues across the country where you can jump and it is available all year round. Why not arrange a jump with a group of friends or work colleagues? To register online, click here.
We can provide sponsor forms; advice on how to set up your own 'Virgin Money Giving' website; collection tins; a letter of authority (to say that you're raising funds for the Trust); a Meningitis Trust T-shirt or vest; training advice; and of course lots of support.
If you have already achieved something to shout about, please do share it and help motivate others throughout 2010!
Local events
Click here to download a list of events taking place this year in your local area that you, your friends and family, might be interested in taking part in to have fun and raise funds for the Meningitis Trust.
5km Big Fun Runs
Sheffield – Rother Valley Country Park on Saturday 8 August
Leeds – Roundhay Park on Sunday 14 August
Derby – Darley Park on Sunday 21 August
To enter, please click on the above link or visit www.bigfunrun.com and select your chosen venue and the Meningitis Trust as your chosen charity.
When you register you will receive a free Meningitis Trust fundraising pack which includes a T-shirt, fundraising ideas, sponsorship forms, and training tips to prepare you for the big day. We will be here to support you before, during and after your run.
Other local running races
Great Yorkshire Run - Sheffield
Sunday 5 September 2010
Join 10,000 runners of all abilities on this 10km road race through the streets of Sheffield. You must be aged 15 or older to take part and for further information and to enter the race click here.
Nottingham Robin Hood Festival of Running
Sunday 12 September 2010
Now in its 30th year, this hugely popular event offers you the choice of a full, half or mini marathon (2.6 miles). For further information and to enter the race click here.
Bridlington Half Marathon
Sunday 17 October 2010
Bridlington Half Marathon was first held in 1983 and still attracts a large field of runners from far and wide. For more information and to enter the race click here.
Bradford City Run
Sunday 17 October 2010
Following the success of last year’s first run, the organisers are promising an even bigger and better event this year. The event includes both a full and half marathon and a 5km fun run. The race takes in both the city centre and the scenic countryside of Bronte Land. For more information and to enter the race click here.
Clowne Half Marathon
Sunday 28 November 2010
Clowne is a village in the Bolsover district of Derbyshire. Clowne Road Runners Club will be holding their 26th Half Marathon this year. For more information and to enter the race click here.
Percy Pud 10K, Sheffield
Sunday 5 December 2010
The Percy Pud 10km, South Yorkshire's most popular 10km, is organised by Steel City Striders each year and takes place along the picturesque Loxley Valley on the north west outskirts of Sheffield. For more information and to enter the race click here.
We have produced the training guides for the following distances 5k, 10k, half and full marathons. If you would like me to email or post these to you, then please get in touch. In addition, we can provide sponsor forms; advice on how to set up your own 'Virgin Money Giving' web site; collection tins; a letter of authority (to say that your raising funds for the Trust); a T-shirt to run in on the day; training advice; and of course lots of support. Once you have secured your own place for any of the above events or others please contact the Trust’s Matt Clarke on 0845 120 4763 or via email at matthewc@meningitis-trust.org.
Get cycling
Getting on your bike is one of the easiest ways to keep fit. It’s also a great way to raise money for the Meningitis Trust. No matter what your ability, there will be a cycle route close to where you could organise a sponsored ride. The Sustrans website has a searchable map where you can find out about routes in your local area. Why not take a look and see what’s near to you? Just click here.
Zip slides
Are you prepared to go over the edge for the Meningitis Trust and hold on tight for the ride of your life? Taking part in a zip slide is a great fun way to support the Meningitis Trust by taking part in an adrenaline activity. Through our partnership with Zip slides UK, we are able to offer events across the region. No experience is required – just enough guts to take the first step over the edge! All training is provided by experienced staff.
Tyne Bridge Zip Slide, Newcastle-upon-Tyne – 26 and 27 June - NOW FULLY BOOKED
Baitings Dam, West Yorkshire (in between Manchester, Leeds & Sheffield) – 12 September
A £35.00 registration fee is required to secure your place and then we ask you to try and raise a minimum of £125.00 in sponsorship.
We can provide a full fundraising pack including sponsor forms and lots of materials to help you with your fundraising. For more information or to book your place, please contact Matt Clarke on 0845 120 4763 or via email at matthewc@meningitis-trust.org.
Walking
Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge
12 June and 4 September 2010
Eight Point Two Events are organising two challenge walks during 2010 where you can tackle the Yorkshire 3 Peaks. The walk is 24.5 miles long and is a very demanding but rewarding walk, which takes in the summits of Pen-y-ghent (694 metres - 2,276 feet), Whernside (736 metres - 2,415 feet) and Ingleborough (723 metres 2,372 feet) all in one circular route.
You can either enter individually or as a team of three to six people. For lots more information on the challenge and to enter the walk please visit the organisers website.
Lots of supporters organise sponsored walks in their local areas to support the Meningitis Trust. Why not recruit family and friends and take part in a walk either locally to you or further afield? www.walking-routes.co.uk has lots of suggested routes that will be local to you. Existing walks organised by third party events in our region include:
East Yorkshire Challenge Walks – Various dates
A wide range of challenge walks which are mostly over 20 miles are held throughout the year by this organisation. Visit their website for further information on the range of walks available.
If you are planning your own walk then do get in touch as we can help with advice and materials. If you are entering any of the above walks or any others then we can provide you with sponsor forms.
Triathlons & Endurance Events
Take part in this multi-sport endurance event consisting of swimming, cycling and running in immediate succession over various distances. There are lots of events taking place across the country which are suitable for beginners and people of all abilities. So why not enter a race and get sponsored to take part? To search for an event near you, then check out the British Triathlon webpage.
Other events taking place just outside our region in Tamworth include six hour endurance cycle rides and a 24 hour Adidas Thunder Run which is a team challenge event. Please visit their website to find out more details.
Walesby Whole Hog, Nottinghamshire
21 November 2010
The Whole Hog is a foot-based team adventure and involves competitors facing numerous challenges and obstacles around the course.
Challenges vary between venues because each event has a unique feel so it is impossible for us to provide a definitive list of what you will have to overcome in order to go The Whole Hog. What we can guarantee is a bit of mud and a lot of fun. Each obstacle or challenge may be opted out of, known as taking 'The Piglet Option', but this incurs a time penalty but competitors are generally up for whatever is throw at them.
Check out the event organisers website for much more detailed information on this event and also to secure your place.
(Insert pic called wholehog)
eBay for charity
Sell your unwanted items on eBay and raise money for the Meningitis Trust!
eBay for Charity is an easy way for buyers and sellers on eBay.co.uk to support their charity of choice. Buyers can shop for items knowing they’re supporting a good cause, be it an everyday bargain or a special auction. Sellers, whether they’re individuals or businesses, can donate a percentage from any sale to a charity and add Gift Aid to their donations. (Sellers should choose the Advanced Sell form). Charities can also sell their own items directly on eBay.co.uk.
So why not buy or sell an item for the Meningitis Trust today?
Parachuting
Feeling brave? Why not take part in the ultimate challenge and skydive for the Meningitis Trust.
You can jump for free if you raise a minimum amount of sponsorship. There are a variety of venues across the country where you can jump and it is available all year round.
Why not arrange a jump with a group of friends or work colleagues?
Amber Jones (right, on her way down) and Emma Swales (above right) completed a tandem parachute jump this year at Langar Airfield. They have so far raised £1000 in sponsorship and hope to receive some match funding from their employers Boots. The family has supported the Trust since Amber’s Uncle, Andrew, died from meningitis in 2001. The family has recently set up a Meningitis Trust Tribute Fund in his memory and all the money raised from the jump will go into this fund.
For an information pack or to find out more, please contact me at matthewc@meningitis-trust.org or on 0845 120 4763 or click here to register on line.
Organise your own event
Do you have an idea of your own in mind? If so, please get in touch. We can provide you with advice and answers to any questions you may have, and help with a press release to let your local media know about your event. We also have a range of fundraising materials on offer to help promote your event.
Please contact me on 0845 120 4763 or matthewc@meningitis-trust.org if you need any more help with any fundraising you are planning.
