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Local Events
South East England
Community Development Officer, Nicky Smyth
Hello, I am your local Community Development Officer and I cover the following counties: Kent, Surrey, East Sussex and West Sussex.
My role is to offer support to local people whose lives have been affected 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 the local media.
Have you got a set of New Year’s resolutions? Why not tie a few in with fundraising for the Trust?! If I can help out with anything you are planning for next year, or if you need more information about meningitis or the work of the Trust then please do either give me a call on 0845 120 4810 or email me at nickys@meningitis-trust.org.
Fundraisers of the Month
Congratulations to Martin and Claire Bulger for completing the Beachy Head Marathon last month. The father and daughter team look set to raise almost £1,000 for the Trust. The achievement was made even more special as this was Martin’s 150th marathon! A fantastic achievement – well done to you both!
Running/Jogging
There are plenty of runs happening all over. These are a few happening within the South East:
Hastings Half
Voted No.1 half marathon many times. Good atmosphere and great crowd support. Special half marathon train services will be running from London on the day. Electronic chip timing and Park-and-Ride scheme for parking. Free creche for runners' children. Also includes a mini-run for 11-16 year olds. For more info click here.
Brighton Marathon
Sunday 18 April
This is the first ever Brighton Marathon to take place. The route around the city and along the coast will be generally fast and reasonably flat. To find out more, get in touch or visit http://www.brightonmarathon.co.uk/.
Votwo Kamikaze
Sunday 30 May , Crawley, East Sussex
The votwo Kamikaze is the most outrageous adventure run of the year. About 6.5ish miles of hills, rope swings, assault courses, more hills and the infamous Kamikaze slide to test your fitness, determination and nerve. For more info, and to enter, click here.
We can provide you with sponsor forms; T-shirts; running vests; training advice; information 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); and of course lots of support. For a full list of events near you, log on to www.runnersworld.co.uk and www.therunningbug.co.uk.
5km Big Fun Runs
Maidstone – Mote Park on Sunday 10 October
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.
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.
If you decide to organise a sponsored ride then do let me know; we can provide a range of fundraising materials and also offer you support and advice to make it an enjoyable and successful event.
Walking
Kent Downs – 90km
Michael Smith and Tony Lever walked the North Downs Way Loop over the weekend of July 11-12 . They set off from Capel le Ferne in Kent and walked the 90km loop in memory of Michael’s nephew Samuel Smith who died of meningitis as a baby. Michael teamed up with his father-in -law Tony, and they hope to have raised over £1000.
Michael says: "We finished at 12pm on the Sunday, it took us 27 hours in total, three hours ahead of our target time! The time is not really relevant though as what we achieved will stay with us for a long time. It was the best and hardest thing I have done; I don’t know if I will do anything like this again (until next year). I was very happy to have had this opportunity to support a great charity and do something in memory of my nephew, Samuel."
A special thanks to Michael and Tony for their support. If you feel like taking up a similar challenge, please do give me a ring.
Jumping For Joy!
Emma Arkley, a supporter from London, and 24 friends, did a skydive for the Meningitis Trust earlier this year and raised £500 for the Sonny Dabin Tribute Fund.
A massive thank you to Emma and all those involved for their continued support!
More fundraising ideas
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?
Supermarket and street collections - If you and your family and friends are interested in taking part in collections at local supermarkets or shopping centres then please get in touch. We can apply to supermarkets and local councils for the relevant permission and licenses. As well as raising much-needed funds they are also great ways to raise awareness of the disease and of the work of the Trust.
Donations in lieu - maybe this year you are feeling generous, so would like to ask your friends and family to give a donation to the Trust in lieu of a special occasion. We often receive donations in lieu of birthday, anniversary or wedding presents. We can provide you with our donation leaflets; like a card which friends and family can fill out and give back to you. You get to keep the card bit and the donation form is sent back to us.
Slimathon – set your own target and get sponsored for every pound you lose. Be sure to do it healithly though - it's best to aim to lose no more than 1-2 lbs a week. For more advice click here.
Bannish a nasty habit – most of us has one habit that we would like to stop, but sometimes it is not so easy to give it up. Telling people that you are going to stop and raising money at the same time, motivates you to resist the urge of falling back into the trap. So go on, make the break this year and take that step you’ve always wanted to.
A first for everything – why not try a skydive and jump for charity? Freefalling from 10,000 ft is an amazing experience and certainly something to tell all your friends and family. Click here to register on line.
If you have already achieved something to shout about, please do share it and help motivate others for 2010!
Talks and presentations
Meningitis is a devastating disease, and raising awareness is one of our main aims. If you feel that an awareness talk would be beneficial to you and/or your school, organisation or group, please contact me to discuss it further. Should you do a fundraising event, we are also able to attend cheque presentations.
Don’t forget you can tell us about your Meningitis Trust events. Click here to contact me.
