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a charity challenge you can raise funds for a good cause, master
a specific activity and come away with a sense of achievement. You
can also visit an exciting destination, have fun and meet people
with similar interests.
But many challenges are tough and need thorough
preparation - you will have to spend time raising sponsorship and
in physical training beforehand.
- Allocate enough time before the event to raise
sponsorship funds to pay for the trip.
Don't underestimate the amount of time it can take
to hold your own fundraising events - or even to pester family,
friends and colleagues. Many participants go all-out to raise as
much money as possible.
Creativity is the key to good fundraising, says
the NSPCC
website, which offers good general advice on how to maximise fundraising.
It says to keep ideas simple and make sure you inform as many people
as possible.
Does the money go to the people who need
it?
Make sure the charity publishes information on where
your money goes.
Find out how much of the money you pay actually
goes to the people who need it and how much goes to meet the costs
of the challenge. What is included in the money you pay? Are flights,
meals and accommodation included?
Sometimes charities run their challenges through
a third party. This may mean cost-efficiency and that the event
is well-organised, but make sure as much money as possible is going
to the good cause itself.
- Then you will need to get fit - perhaps training
for three or four months beforehand.
Some challenges are 'tough' and others 'extreme'.
Find one that will give you a sense of achievement if you complete
it, rather than one that is way above or below your abilities.
The challenge organiser should provide you with
a training programme.
You can choose a challenge by preferred destination,
charity or type of activity. Activities include trekking, mountaineering,
cycling, skiing, horse riding, parachuting and white water rafting.
Many charities are eager for marathon
runners to raise fund for them and are allocated specific places
by organisers. Try the British
Heart Foundation for a place in the 2006 London Marathon and
Macmillan
for a place in the 2006 New York Marathon.
See the table below for a list of possible charities:
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