Changing my life and saving those of many others...

ThinkingOfLinking

A while ago, I decided to do two charity treks for GOSH; Great Ormond Street Hospital, which is a registered charity. For those who don't know, they take care of children and do an amazing job.

I set up a page on Justgiving, so that any potential sponsors could feel totally reassured that I wouldn't touch a penny of any funds; it all goes directly to the charity of choice.

I'm trying to raise a minimum of £6,000 so I can take part in two treks for this charity; I plan to walk the Great Wall of China and also the Inca Trail. I have had no luck in getting any sponsorship so have decided to come here to ask for both donations and advice.

Anyone who is willing to help in either way, it would be very very gratefully received. I have no dates in mind because it takes time to raise this sort of money.

I plan to share diaries and pictures of both treks here, on my Justgiving page and on Myspace and Facebook. I can provide a link to my Justgiving page for anyone who is interested.

Thanks everyone for reading this.

ThinkingOfLinking

http://www.justgiving.com/treksappeal

isitenough

Great cause Flickering and good luck with it! Will try to visit the page later for you.

ThinkingOfLinking

Thanks; any tips on how to raise sponsorship would be really gratefully received too. I've been trying since last summer and literally have nothing to show for it so far...

ThinkingOfLinking

It's been almost a year now and I've still gotten nowhere. How would people suggest I try and get some sponsorship? I am not currently working other than casually, so cannot really ask colleagues, and I do not have that wide a circle of friends at the moment either. It would be great to be able to achieve something positive, so can anyone give me some pointers please?

GiveItBack

hiya,

what you might look to do is run some fundraising events.. There's usually nothing to stop you from doing so. Race nights are done a lot, but they tend to be successful. It's probably worth speaking to GOSH for suggestions, as I'm surprised they haven't been offering hints and tips to help you on the way. It's in their interest to help you do it well, so I'm sure they could give you some advice and support.

Good luck...

ThinkingOfLinking

Thanks for the reply. I think that because the "events" are going to be the 2 treks, maybe that's why. Also, I don't think GOSH will really know about it til they receive the money. If I had a job, then I'd happily pay myself as it's like an adventure holiday (for a good cause as a bonus).

Jaime-V

GOSH should have a fundraising team who can support you and give advice/tips on how to get sponsors. Im surprised they havn't sent you anything when you registered for the events?

What about arranging bag packing at a supermarket, car boot sale stall, ebaying?, Race nights like giveitback said.

i would get in touch with GOSH and ask for their help/advice.

Jaime-V

You should also personalise your just giving page more, write more about the events and why you are doing them. under personal message.

Even if you are only working casually, take a sponsor form and ask people, if you dont ask you dont get is my motto ;o) and people will say no if they dont want to support. Also have you asked your family to start the sponsorship off? I always got a few family and close friends sponsors on sheets or on just giving first before I asked around. Sometimes people dont like to first as they dont really know what to 'give' IYKWIM.

GiveItBack

hiya GOSH organise these events too - or at least offer them to supporters, probably through a company like actionchallenge, so it's in their interest to help out the people taking part. I think you should contact them for some advice.

Tel: 020 7239 3164
Email: [EMAIL="challenges@gosh.org"]challenges@gosh.org[/EMAIL]

The company you've booked through should also be able to give you advice. A lot of people doing this kind of trek do organise things like race nights music noghts or something as a way of bringing in the income.

The fundraising for one event is quite significant, even for someone with the support networks of a job, so trying two is a big challenge. You really need to be actively seeking a way to bring in the income, but really GOSH or the company will be able to help far better.

ThinkingOfLinking

I haven't booked anything as there's no point booking a trek I won't be able to afford to pay for. I couldn't even pay a deposit right now.

I have no family at all so wouldn't be able to ask them.