Tag: Circle

Circle’s annual fundraiser The DARED Challenge is back!

Circle, a local Edinburgh-based charity dedicated to supporting children and families, is thrilled to announce the return of its annual The DARED (Do A Run Every Day) Challenge.

Back for another exhilarating year, The DARED Challenge promises to ignite a month-long celebration of fitness, community, and charitable giving throughout June.

Since its launch, The DARED Challenge has captured the hearts of over 600 runners, raising an impressive £87,000 for local children and families in Scotland. This year, Circle aims to reach new heights in fundraising, gathering passionate participants from Edinburgh and beyond to join in making a significant impact on the lives of local children and families.

“The DARED Challenge is more than just a run; it’s a testament to the power of community and compassion,” says Kirsty Henderson, Events Officer at Circle.

“We’ve seen firsthand the incredible impact of this event on both our participants and the families we support.

“It’s a chance to challenge yourself, meet and connect with new people, and make a tangible difference in the lives of others.”

The concept of The DARED Challenge is simple yet impactful: participants pledge to run every day in June, at a time that suits them. Whether it’s before work, after work, or during lunch breaks, runners have the flexibility to choose when and how they complete their daily run.

Physical activity has been shown to have a positive impact on our mood. A study from the Mental Health Foundation asked people to rate their mood immediately after periods of physical activity (e.g. going for walk or run).

Researchers found that the participants felt more content, more awake and calmer after being physically active compared to after periods of inactivity. 

…This can be you too!

Participants can opt for one of three exciting challenges: the 1-mile run, the 5K run, or the DARED To Be Different Challenge.

No matter your fitness level, there’s a challenge suitable for everyone. Plus, participants have the option to raise funds for Circle’s children and families or make a one-off donation entry fee, both including a welcome pack, runner’s t-shirt, water bottle, and other exciting offers.

Also, you don’t need to run alone, you can also sign up as a team – so why not DARE your friends, family, or work colleagues to join you!

“DARED really is more than just a physical challenge; it’s a journey of personal growth,” adds Kirsty. “Every penny raised, and every mile run directly supports local children and families in our communities facing difficult times.”

Ready to join? Sign up for The DARED Challenge now at:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-dared-challenge-2024-tickets-862920266747

The DARED Challenge is back for its sixth year!

Local charity, Circle have just launched their annual DARED (Do A Run Every Day) Challenge, which is back for its sixth year this June.

Over 600 runners have taken part in The DARED Challenge over the past 5 years, and they have succeeded in raising over £87,000 for local children and families living in some of Scotland’s most disadvantaged communities.

Take part in DARED 2023 for a month of fitness and fun, and help Circle bring the total figure raised to £100,000!

Sign up now: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-dared-challenge-2023-tickets-547292535707 

“DARED was exactly the challenge I needed to get my going again after a prolonged period of laziness had set in. The support from the other participants was amazing and kept me going through highs and lows!” – DARED Participant

What is The DARED Challenge?

The concept of DARED is very simple – do a run every day in June whilst raising money for Circle. That’s it. You can run at any time of day that suits you, before work, after work, during lunch, early evening- anytime!

There are three challenges to choose from, including the 1 mile, 5km and DARED To Be Different Challenge, and you can choose to participate to raise money for Circle’s children and families or pay a one-off donation entry fee. This includes your welcome pack, runners top, medal, and event fees.

DARED is a challenge of physical and mental stamina, requiring disciplined preparation and recovery, an accomplishment that all participants should be proud of. Every penny raised and every mile run will go towards making a life-changing difference to children and families living in some of Scotland’s most disadvantaged areas, who need support now more than ever.

For more information about The DARED Challenge, visit: https://circle.scot/support-us/the-dared-challenge-2023/ 

Who is Circle?

Circle works at the heart of disadvantaged communities across Central Scotland. Circle offers a range of whole family support services that promote children’s healthy development and potential. They engage with families who face exclusion due to social injustice, poverty, and health inequalities.

For more information about Circle, visit: https://circle.scot/ 

Whether you are an experienced runner looking for a challenge, or a beginner, DARED is a great way to improve your fitness and bond with a community of likeminded people, whilst raising money and awareness for Circle.  

For more information, get in touch at; Kirsten.Wales@Circle.Scot

Download the FREE DARED Information Pack here:

https://circle.scot/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/DARED-2023-Information-Pack-6.pdf

Circle’s Values

To ensure that children and families are at the centre of all we do, we create opportunities for families to participate in the development of policies, values, and services.

We believe that to properly support families to find their own solutions, it is necessary to give voice to their thoughts, concerns, and aspirations.

We’ve recently involved families in the creation of a new participation strategy for Circle.

This strategy creates a framework that recognises the need to involve families in a meaningful and respectful way in the development of services and policy across the organisation. 

Circle’s annual DARED Challenge

Circle’s annual DARED Challenge has come to an end for another year. After 5 years of DARED (Do A Run Every Day), Circle are delighted to have raised over £12,000 for their children and families.

The DARED Challenge – Do A Run Every Day – encourages participants to complete either a 1 mile or 5km run every day throughout the month of June and this year, Circle saw more than 140 participants sign up to take part.

Alongside the fundraising element, the aim of the challenge is to encourage as many people as possible to enjoy the physical and mental benefits of daily exercise, as well as spending time with away from the desk and work.

“It’s been such a busy month, and it could’ve been so easy to do no exercise at all because of that, but thanks to The DARED Challenge, I’ve been outside exercising every day, and I feel so much better for it!” – Participant

The choice of different distances enables both experienced and beginner runners to feel included and challenged.

Funds raised through the DARED Challenge will go directly to supporting Circle in its aim of improving the lives of children by strengthening families.

The charity works at the heart of deprived communities across central Scotland, supporting the most disadvantaged children and families to improve their lives, promote their healthy development and reach their potential.  

Social inequality and poverty are the root cause of why families seek support from Circle including parental substance misuse, domestic abuse, imprisonment, poor physical and mental health as well as isolation.

Although the challenge has finished, the JustGiving page is still open if you’d like to donate to support our runners, and help us raise as much money as possible for Circle’s children and families: 

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/TheDAREDChallenge2022

A huge well done to all our 2022 runners and thank you so much for your continued support.

Dare you do the DARED Challenge?

A unique fundraising challenge event designed by school staff to support vulnerable children across Edinburgh and the Lothians is back for 2020.

A fundraising event that inspires school staff and individuals from across Edinburgh and the Lothians to lace up their running shoes in support of a leading children’s charity is back for 2020.

The DARED Challenge – Do A Run Every Day – encourages participants to complete either a 1 mile or 5km run every day throughout the month of June in support of West Pilton-based charity, Circle.

Devised in 2018 by Broughton High maths teacher, and keen runner, Mark Fletcher, the DARED Challenge has continued to grow and last year saw more than 150 school staff from across Edinburgh and further afield raise more than £14,000 for the charity.

This year, as well as again looking to school staff from across the region to support the event, Mark and his organising team are appealing for members of the public to get involved. Circle’s patrons, David Tennant and Arabella Weir, will be joining the campaign to recruit participants in the coming months.

David Tennant’s previous video statement can be seen here.

Alongside the fundraising element, the aim of the challenge is to encourage as many people as possible to enjoy the physical and mental benefits of daily exercise, as well as spending time with colleagues away from the desk and work. The choice of different distances enables both experienced and beginner runners to feel included and challenged.

Although the premise of the event was built on getting school staff and teachers exercising regularly, organiser Mark hopes that the health benefits that arise as a result of this type of challenge will inspire anyone – not just teachers – to get involved.

He said: “Incorporating exercise into our daily lives has countless benefits to our physical and mental health. If we can do this while raising money for an extremely deserving cause, everyone’s a winner.”

Funds raised through the DARED Challenge will go directly to supporting Circle in its aim of improving the lives of children by strengthening families. The charity works at the heart of deprived communities across central Scotland, supporting the most disadvantaged children and families to improve their lives, promote their healthy development and reach their potential.

Participation in the DARED Challenge will help strengthen the charity’s family outreach work, help children and their families communicate, repair relationships and develop skills that enable them to lead more fulfilling lives.

Social inequality and poverty lead to some of the many reasons that a family may need the support of Circle including alcohol and substance misuse, imprisonment and young or lone parenting.

Many of the pupils in participating schools from previous DARED Challenges are supported by Circle.

Mark Kennedy, Chief Executive of Circle, said: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who is taking part in The DARED Challenge as their dedication, passion and enthusiasm will directly enable Circle to continue our vital work supporting vulnerable children and families in Edinburgh and beyond.”

Early bird entry for the DARED Challenge is now open with participants able to choose to run one mile or 5km a day in June. Participation costs £10 per person. Participants are asked to fundraise a minimum of £50. Participants who do not wish to fundraise can pay an additional £20 to secure their position on the challenge.

Full details can be found here. 

Circle families ‘on top of the world!’

Haven Project children and families produce sixth adventure story

A group of children and families worked with Circle Haven Project over the summer holidays to produce their very own adventure story. ‘To the Top of the World and Beyond’ is the latest mini-masterpiece to be produced by Circle families – the sixth in six years! Continue reading Circle families ‘on top of the world!’

New Chairperson for Circle

Grant Sugden has been appointed Chair of the Board of Trustees at Circle. Grant previously worked at Circle as a Senior Manager before leaving in 2011 to take up his current full-time role as Chief Executive of Waverley Care, Scotland’s HIV and Hepatitis C Charity. Continue reading New Chairperson for Circle

Away and Play: Edinburgh trio share in Thrive Outdoors funding

More children across the capital and the Lothians will be out playing in their communities this summer after local charities received a funding boost.   Continue reading Away and Play: Edinburgh trio share in Thrive Outdoors funding

Everyone Has a Story: Circle’s young people stage photography exhibition

‘Everyone Has a Story’, a photography exhibition created by young people supported by Circle, was launched at  at North Edinburgh Arts  on Friday.

Young people supported by Circle worked alongside staff to produce photographs which express their feelings and emotions around parental substance use.  Continue reading Everyone Has a Story: Circle’s young people stage photography exhibition