As most of you know, I intend to run a marathon next May, along with my son.
I was talking with a dear A4A friend (one of many now) in messenger earlier, and the subject of sponsorship came up. Now I will be organising sponsorship myself for a personally chosen charity, but the point was raised about the members here sponsoring me. Now whilst I think the idea is wonderful, I am also horrified by the issue of collecting the funds.
So thinking it through, an alternative idea came to me, which I hope will develop into a tangible result. How about an A4A marathon fund, where I am the 'champion' for want of a term, and someone with an organised mind can coordinate the receipt of donations, to be forwarded to a commonly agreed charity. Perhaps Dan would like to be the patron, and perhaps even suggest a charity. I don't know, these are ideas, give some feedback.
Will this fall over and collapse, or does it have a chance ...
Here's hoping
Derekthefox :D
If you could figure out how to do it I'd be glad to sponsor you for a worthy cause D -
and of course for the joy your avatar has brought to millions ;D ;)
I agree Derek -especially if you don't return to the previous Avatar!!!  Had me worried for a bit there that you might be growing a handlebar moustache next.....  ;D ;)
Hmmm, I think 'that' avatar will get its fair share of airtime ... judging by the demand ...
I am not into moustaches though so you are safe there ;D ;D ;D
Derekthefox :D
Im sure it would be succesful, its also very easy to do. simply start a seperate bank account, then people can send money through paypal or similar staright to that bank account, will need people who have paypal, but most have used ebay so may have paypal accounts already.
No messing sending through the post etc, goes straight into the account, paypal would take some of the money as their commision but less hassle!
Thank you adam, being a crusty, I am unfamiliar with this sort of technology ...
Hmm starts to look feasible then.
You are right, if the support is there, ie the sponsorship, then the mechanics are straightforward. This is excellent news !
Derekthefox :D
Thanks Jessevieve, that sounds superb.
Right, things as they appear to be progressing ...
I have a 'dormant' bank account, which may be suitable for the purposes of receiving donations. I will talk to my bank to clarify that. If ok then it looks like I will be my own agent ! No problem.
On the subject of charities, I would suggest that the donations be split between two charities (50/50), one of which is my preferred charity, Diabetes UK
www.diabetes.org.uk (http://www.diabetes.org.uk)
The other charity is TBA, to be decided either by the members, or Dan as suggested earlier.
In terms of my clothing, I will be wearing a very light running vest, but if advertising is permitted and will go on my clothing without giving me problems, then I would be willing to consider that. I presume charity advertising is not considered a problem, just commercial promotions. I hope Dan is reading this thread, I will send him a personal message to draw his attention.
Keep the posts coming in !
Derekthefox :D
Derek and allotmeteers, for a second charity, how about tear-fund? The organisation works to help people in tragedy and poverty around the world? See link below.
http://www.tearfund.org/Giving/
Iain
Good luck with the training. Can I send you a donation of Jerusalem artichokes (apparently good for diabetics), no, seriously, good luck, and I may even sponsor you.
Charity wise - I don't really know - I listen to Radio 4, and they have an appeal each week to raise funds for a number of charities - this week is the RAFA - Royal Air Force Association. It is soooo difficult to single out which charities you want to support. I was chair of a regional forum, and my predecessor died of cancer- we raised money for marie curie cancer, my cousin has epilepsy, and my dad has, well so they say, diabetes and has suffered strokes. A friend on the aforementioned regional forum has a son suffering from cerebal palsy. A friend of mine did a lot of things with the British Red Cross (but they were a bit mean to her), and St John's Ambulance. There are a number of gardening charities - HDRA is one. How about a medical or children's charity - something like Medicins sans frontier, or Save the Children (etc). ?
That was my intention Jessevieve, this thread is to lay down some ideas first. I have asked Dan to show an interest, so will watch for any input from that direction too. I think this is working as a sounding board anyway . . . it is nice to see so much input.
Derekthefox :D
I'd certainly be willing to make a donation. But don't ask me to organise anything. (I have enough trouble organising myself!)
I can't think what the name of the charity is - one where they give farming equipment and education to people in third worlds to grow their own food. Or was that something HDRA was doing? I like the idea of it being plant related.
Or how about the Woodland Trust?
o, just had a thought i always feel these charaties mentioned get most of the attention and some we just miss out, because we dont seem to find them important, what about charitys like the samaratans??
Yes aqui, HDRA do a third world thing http://www.hdra.org.uk/international_programme/index.htm
"The aim of the international programme is to develop, improve and promote techniques for sustainable land use in rural, peri-urban and urban areas in the tropics and sub-tropics. The main focus is poverty alleviation through the improvement of existing farming systems and livelihoods to increase food security, long-term productivity, safe food production and environmental protection."
Thinking of charities, grr forgot the name of one - the cot death one - they collect and recycle used printer cartridges. Another collects spectacles,.... And, if you can't be bothered with car boot sales, the charity shops are always looking for things...
Derek
I am a regular runner in Race for Life5K (OH ran the Grunty Fen 1/2 Marathon this Sunday so he's keener than me), raising money for Cancer Research UK.
They took up a method of donating online this year under a website called justgiving.co.uk
Have a look at the site, it may be just what you are looking for. It doesn't have to be that you raise for Cancer Research that is just my persoonal preference.
Mel
Thanks Mel, and everyone else (too many names!) , I am glad I raised this thread, there is so much coming out of it ...
Derekthefox :D
how about child victims of crime?
This has to be a worthwhile cause...
Hi Derek I'd be pleased to sponsor you.
My thought about a second charity whilst reading through the replies has been this . Whilst I have many causes I support through having family members affected by these things...MS,blindness,stroke,kidney failure, brain tumour, I feel the second charity should be gardening ,countryside,conservation or animal related. Something which reflects the interest of the folks on this site. Something which we all have in common and can agree about. Surely there are charities out there that relate to us and what we love to do? This might sound stupid but are there any charities that have anything to do with growing veg?
HDRA yes, but are there any smaller less supported, less well known charities I wonder?
Do you see where I'm coming from?
Yes Heldi, I think you have a very good point there. I would hope that whatever is chosen, is something that the members feel they can identify with, and I would prefer not to influence the choice here, even by a single vote. All the money raised will end up with a good cause, I feel confident of that.
Thank you
Derekthefox :D
There is a charity called FarmAfrica - www.farmafrica.org.uk - supports education projects, health projects and farming projects - particularly small holders- in eastern and Southern Africa - can I just put them forward for consideration - not a huge charity but doing very worthwhile work
Nice idea, Derek - hope you are able to work out the practical details.
There are an awful lot of charities & obviously individual ones mean a great deal to some of us - but I think Heldi makes a very good point - we are more likely to all agree on a gardening or plant-related one.
To add to the suggestions already made, I would like to mention Thrive, which uses gardening to help people who are disabled & otherwise disadvantaged: http://www.thrive.org.uk/index.asp
And also Tree Aid, which plants trees to support poor communities in Africa:
http://www.treeaid.org.uk/
Just remember to choose one that gives you extra oomph as you hit the wall D ;D!
OMG the wall .... thanks for reminding about that supersprout ! You have really cheered me up now ... Just as I am about to go for a run as well ... The best way to tackle that is not think about it  ;D ;D ;D
Derekthefox :D