Tag: fundraising challenge

Cyclist to ascend equivalent of Mount Everest in cycle around Scotland for Samaritans 

Cyclist to ascend equivalent of mount Everest in cycle around Scotland for Samaritans 

Meet Neil Beattie, a Shetland-based Council team-leader, who will be taking on an Everest sized cycle and meeting Samaritans volunteers across Scotland’s towns and cities to raise funds for the suicide prevention charity next week. 

Neil’s fundraising challenge will take him from Shetland to Selkirk and back again, through some of Scotland’s toughest terrains on a two-week journey. Throughout the (roughly) 1200-mile cycle, Neil will accumulate a climb of more than 30,000 feet, higher than the world’s tallest mountain. 

Having completed charity bike rides previously, including from Land’s End to John O’ Groats and in Vietnam, this particular challenge holds a significant place in Neil’s heart. Speaking about Samaritans as his chosen charity, Neil said:  

“My mum was previously the Regional Director at Samaritans Scotland, and dedicated numerous years as a volunteer to the charity and their mission to see fewer deaths by suicide in Scotland. 

“Sixteen years after first planning this ride, I set off on the 23rd July to raise funds for this wonderful charity and the volunteers that offer people someone to turn to when they feel they have no one.  

“Any donation, big or small will help someone with suicidal thoughts get help when they need it most.” 

Neil is set to depart Shetland’s Samaritans in Lerwick on the 23rd of July, cycling to the ferry port where he will set sail for the mainland to continue his journey down through the country to the Borders, then heading up to Orkney and finally back to Shetland again, meeting with volunteers all along the way. 

A fundraising page has been set up here where you can make a donation to support Neil’s huge effort and the vital work of Samaritans Scotland.  

When we feel low, the smallest tasks can feel like a mountain to climb. It can seem like the journey to feeling better is an uphill battle. Neil’s journey shows that when we break our challenges down into smaller stretches, we can make it through. We can keep believing in tomorrow. 

By donating to Neil’s fundraiser, you are helping someone with suicidal thoughts to talk to somebody who will listen in their most difficult moments. 

Samaritans Scotland’s vision is for a Scotland where everyone can get the right help and support when they need it most, and where fewer lives are lost to suicide. It has provided a vital lifeline for people in crisis and distress for more than six decades since the first branch in Scotland answered their first call for help in 1959. 

Anyone can call Samaritans on our free helpline at any time on 116 123 – even on a phone without credit – or email jo@samaritans.org.  

Child abuse survivors raise almost £50,000 for NSPCC by climbing world’s highest mountain

A group of abuse survivors have raised £48,106 for child protection charity the NSPCC by scaling Mount Everest.

Giles Moffatt (51), who suffered abuse as a young boy at Edinburgh Academy, brought together the 11-strong group of men and women, many of them also child abuse survivors, to form ‘Team Uprising’ and travel to Nepal to trek at ultra-high altitude in the Himalayas.

The wider group reached Everest Base Camp on April 12 and Giles, his climbing companion Andrew Leslie and three guides continued further up the mountain in a bid to reach the summit by the end of May.

Mid expedition Giles became unwell with High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), which is when fluid collects in the lungs and if left untreated can be fatal.

Following treatment, he returned to the mountain for three more weeks and made a further attempt to get up the notorious Khumbu Icefall, the route to the higher camps. Struck by a different illness a second time, he was forced to turn back.

Despite not reaching the summit, Giles has achieved what he set out to do – raising awareness of the impact of child abuse and bringing in much needed funds for the NSPCC to help keep children safe.

Giles, who lives in Rye, East Sussex, said: “A year ago, the members of Team Uprising were strangers, now we are friends for life. 

“Eleven of us made it to base camp and one of us made it to the summit with support from our Sherpa guides. Most importantly, everyone made it back safely. Out of evil, much good has come.”

Andrew (37) made it to the summit of Everest on May 21, with three Sherpa guides and colleagues – PK Sherpa, Mingma Sherpa, and Sonam Sherpa. Andy, who grew up in Helensburgh but now lives in Portland, Oregon, said he was thrilled to complete his lifelong ambition of getting to the top of Everest.

He said: “It was really special to climb with Giles and this group of survivors. We were all brought together by a passion for mountains and the transformation they are capable of creating, but there was a much deeper purpose to this expedition. 

“Many men in the group had a shared traumatic experience in childhood, so our climb aimed to raise awareness of the impact of this kind of abuse. With everyone reaching Base Camp and some of us going on to climb Everest, we took a terrible childhood experience and turned it into something really positive which we hope will help prevent abuse happening to children.

“The money raised for the NSPCC will be used to help keep children safe.

“This journey pushed me to my physical and mental limits more than I ever thought possible, and the perspectives gained together with this group will last a lifetime. It’s a journey that has left me changed for the better.”

The funds raised by ‘Team Uprising’ will go towards supporting NSPCC services. These include Childline, the charity’s free counselling service for children, the adult Helpline for reporting concerns about a child and the charity’s educational programmes, such as Talk PANTS and Speak Out Stay Safe, which aim to help prevent child abuse and neglect.

Other members of the group included: Neil Russell, Neil MacDonald, Frazer Macdonald, Graeme Sneddon, Adrian Blakemore, Niall Mackinlay, and friends and family Cat Bolten, Rachel Leslie, Andrea Christensen, Jacob Christensen.

They were supported by OONI Pizza Ovens, Tiso, Thermos, Tunnocks, The Altitude Centre in London, Lindores Abbey Distillery and Taking the Pea snacks.

Young people looking for support can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or visit Childline.org.uk. Childline is available to all young people until their 19th birthday.

Any adult concerned about a child can contact the NSPCC Helpline by calling 0808 800 5000 or emailing help@NSPCC.org.uk. But should call the police on 999 straight away if they think a child is in immediate danger.

To donate, visit:

G Moffatt is fundraising for NSPCC (justgiving.com)

D-Day 80: Take on a challenge during June to support blind veterans

  Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women, is calling for people to take on a fundraising challenge in the month of June to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day and National Armed Forces Day.

On 6 June, the United Kingdom will come together to commemorate the Normandy landings. This historic operation saw the Allied Forces mount the largest seaborne mission in history which resulted in the liberation of France and ultimately changed the course of the Second World War in favour of victory for the Allies.

Almost 133,000 troops from the Allied Forces landed on D-Day. 4,414 Allied troops were killed and over 5,000 were wounded, these men paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Blind veteran John McOwan, 103, and from Peebles, joined the Royal Artillery in 1939 at the age of 18 and was with them for nine months before the Second World War broke out. He was then transferred to the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

During the war, John was a Desert Rat and was stationed in the Middle East and Italy before taking part in the D-Day Landings.

He said: “We were in camps near Felixstowe and just prior to the mission we boarded the landing crafts and sailed the English Channel overnight and then laid anchor off the beaches in the morning of D-Day.

“Some of us had to lay to for some time before we could get ashore which wasn’t very comfortable when we were under fire from the Luftwaffe. But it was an epic sight to see so many ships in one area that one had the feeling you could almost walk from one ship to another.”

John lost his sight due to macular degeneration and he has a pseudophakia (false lens) in both eyes. John has no vision in his left eye and only a small amount of vision in his right eye.

In 2019, John joined a group of veterans on an organised trip to Normandy to mark 75 years since the D-Day Landings. During the trip a lot of memories that had laid dormant for many years were rekindled. A few months later, the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic led John to write his memoirs with the support of Blind Veterans UK.

John said: “Everything the charity does to help veterans makes a huge difference to our quality of life. When writing my memoirs, the charity provided a volunteer to write up my handwritten notes, wide-lined paper, a magnifier and lighting.”

Blind Veterans UK has many activities planned to ensure the veterans they support can be part of commemorations and celebrations taking place throughout June.

If you, or your organisation, are looking for ways you can mark this poignant month, while also raising money to provide life changing support to veterans like John, there are lots of ways in which you can do this.

Perhaps you could highlight the 80th anniversary of D-Day by getting creative with “80” or step back in time to the 1940s.

You could plan a fundraising challenge with an £80 target per person, bake 80 cakes for your work colleagues, walk, run or cycle 80 kilometres during the month of June or hold a 1940s tea dance.

If you would like to find out more about taking on a challenge for Blind Veterans UK visit the charity’s website: blindveterans.org.uk/afm   

John is one of 16 veterans that have been interviewed about their D-Day experiences by Blind Veterans UK to commemorate the 80th anniversary. His full story will be shared in a special commemorative booklet on the Blind Veterans UK website.

Blind Veterans UK supports thousands of blind veterans across the country, but knows there are many thousands more who still need its support to rebuild their lives after sight loss.           

If you, or someone you know, served in the Armed Forces, including National Service, and are now struggling with sight loss, then please get in touch.

Call 0800 389 7979 or visit: blindveterans.org.uk/gethelp   

Invisible Cities: 500 miles, 5 cities, celebrating 5 years of helping those affected by homelessness

To celebrate 5 years of Invisible Cities, the team are inviting all supporters, friends, partners and customers to take part in a virtual mile-covering challenge, whilst raising vital funds for their social enterprise  

Invisible Cities, the social enterprise operating in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester and York, trains people who have previously  experienced  homelessness to become walking tour guides of their own city.

The social enterprise is now inviting supporters, friends, customers and partners to take part in a virtual mile-covering challenge, to celebrate Invisible Cities turning 5.  

From April – July there are 4 legs (one per month) that collectively make-up 500 miles as participants virtually move between Invisible Cities locations. Participants are invited to sign up for one leg, or all 4 and the challenge is to complete the number of miles required for that leg, within the month.   

Each leg varies in distance, so there’s something for everyone, from absolute beginners to fitness enthusiasts alike. The challenge can also be enjoyed as individual or in teams of up to 6, to reach the target miles. People can also choose between walking, running, cycling and swimming when it comes to how they decide to cover the mile target.     

The purpose of Invisible Cities’ virtual fundraiser is to connect individuals with other like-minded people all over the UK to raise money for those affected by homelessness.   

Zakia Moulaoui Guery, Founder & CEO of Invisible Cities said: “After a full year of being stuck indoors, getting outside to exercise is more important for our mental health than ever before.

“As COVID-19 has had a huge impact on homelessness, we thought we’d combine the benefits of outdoor activity with the effort to help support those experiencing homelessness through the pandemic. We really don’t think we could have found a better way to celebrate our 5th birthday!”  

To be part of the latest Invisible Cities initiative participants simply need to fill the form which can be found on the social enterprise’s official website, pay the £10 entry (100% of which will support their work to help combat homelessness) and all details for the challenge will then be emailed directly to them.  

As part of the initiative, Invisible Cities will also set up a personal Go Fund Me account for all ‘challengers’ to share and collect sponsorship and much-needed encouragement from friends and family, and the team will share fun updates about history and homelessness organisations depending on the point reached on the virtual journey.  

They will also receive access to the official Invisible Cities Strava group to track miles and become part of their community as well as receiving virtual updates showing where they are on their journey.   

For more information and to register for the virtual miles-covering challenge visit:   

https://invisible-cities.org/news/2021/500-miles-5-cities-celebrating-5-years-of-invisible-cities

Ben’s 100 day challenge to support MND charities

Trinity Academy pupil kicks off 2021 facing 1042 miles on the road

#Bens100days

My name is Ben Liddall and I am 17 years old. I am attempting to run a total of 1042 miles in the first 100 days of 2021 for MND Scotland and the My Names Doddie foundation. 

On July 15th, 2020 I was involved in a cycling accident and as a result, received a serious concussion. It was made clear to me that it could have gone a lot worse and I got off incredibly lucky.

As part of my recovery, I was confined to bed for 2 weeks, with no technology, no exercise, and no strain. This gave me a lot of time to think without distraction and I decided that within 4 weeks of my recovery I would run my first marathon. I had never run long distance before, my main form of exercise was rugby, but after intense training, on August 25th, in amongst a storm, I ran my first marathon.

I then realised this was something I was passionate about and that I enjoyed, but also something I realised I could use to help others. I decided to set myself a new goal – run 1042 miles in the first 100 days of 2021 in support of the My Names Doddie foundation and MND Scotland. 

Why 1042 miles? Well, one of my main passions is rugby and I would be running this distance around the time of the 6 Nations and also in support of Doddie so I decided to run the distance of Murrayfield, to the Aviva in Dublin, to the Principality in Wales, to Twickenham in England, and back to Murrayfield which is … you guessed it, 1042 miles!

This means I will be running around 10.42 miles every day, sometimes more sometimes less, and finishing on April 10th, 2021.

I would appreciate any donation no matter how big or small to help the ongoing battle against MND.

Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is the general name given to a group of illnesses which affect the body’s motor nerves – these are called motor neurones. MND is a progressive, incurable illness. 

In a healthy person, the motor neurones carry signals from the brain directly to the muscles. However, MND stops signals from the brain reaching the muscles. Therefore, over time muscles weaken and eventually stop working. 

It is important to remember that not everyone is affected by MND in the same ways. Every case of MND takes its own course, but the disease may cause someone to lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, drink or breathe unaided. 

Some people may also experience changes in their behaviour, personality and the way they think. This may affect their ability to plan tasks on a daily basis and how they communicate with others. A small number of people may experience severe changes which are associated with a type of Dementia, called Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD).

Any money donated to either MND Scotland, or My Names Doddie will be used to help people affected by MND in Scotland, and will help fund practical, financial, and emotional services throughout Scotland, including; one-to-one counselling, benefits advice, complementary therapy, a loan of our communications equipment, support groups and more. You’ll also be funding vital research, in Scotland, to help take us a step closer to finding a cure for this devastating illness.

Instagram: @ben.liddall

Facebook: /Bens100days

Twitter: @Bens100days

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bens100days

Richard tackles lockdown challenge to support three charities

For many years Edinburgh and Penicuik local Richard Vallis has worked to setup, champion and support a range of brilliant organisations and charities in the city and beyond.

Richard isn’t letting Covid-19 put a stop to his work: he’s pledging to walk a distance of 6k around his garden in Penicuik – an undertaking which presents a significant personal challenge having lost his leg 24 years ago to bone cancer and having had to learn to walk again as a result.

Richard embarks on this mammoth task very much driven by his own altruistic spirit, a need to help others and an awareness of specific challenges given his own disability; and to continue to support three organisations which are very dear to his heart.

All funds raised will be split equally between: 

Lothian Disability Sport, who promote sport & physical recreation for people with a disability which Richard has supported for many years, earning him the wonderful experience of taking part in the Queen’s Baton Relay in 2014 before the Glasgow Commonwealth Games,

Lung Ha Theatre Company, the leading theatre company in Scotland for people with a learning disability which Richard co-founded in 1984

and Scottish charity Friends of Chitambo, which aims to support health measures in the hospital and surrounding Zambian district, a charity which was set up by Richard’s wife Jo who grew up in Zambia.

Richard will begin his garden trek challenge Wednesday 20th May and aims to reach the finish line by early June, all while safely maintaining social distancing of course.

He will be supported throughout by his wife Jo, his son Paul, who will be helping to document his journey, and by the very many friends Richard has made from each organisation his efforts are in aid of.

Wider support is much needed, welcomed and appreciated and those who wish to donate can do so via Crowdfunder.

Richard Vallis said: “During lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic I thought I’d make use of my daily exercise to support Lung Ha, Lothian Disability Sport and Friends of Chitambo, three charities dear to my heart and do a sponsored walk within the garden.

“On hundred times round the garden would be about 6 kilometres, 4 miles. With my disability, an above hip amputation, this will be quite a challenge and will require roughly twice as much energy than what would be needed prior to my amputation – but I’d hope to achieve it in about 3 weeks. I very much hope people see fit to support me in this effort to raise funds for these amazing organisations!”

Updates from Richard’s challenge will be shared across social media channels from each charity using the hashtag #richards6kchallange:

Lung Ha

Facebook – www.facebook.com/lunghas/

Twitter – @LungHasTheatre

Instagram – @lunghatheatre

Lothian Disability Sport

Facebook – www.facebook.com/LothianDisabilitySport

Twitter – @LDS_Sport

Friends of Chitambo

Facebook – www.facebook.com/friendsofchitambo

Twitter – @FriendsChitambo

Olympic athlete launches Scottish SPCA’s Pound for Paws event

Pound For Paws – PIC Peter Devlin

Olympic athlete and animal lover Andrew Butchart got the second annual Scottish SPCA Pound for Paws event off to a flying start by taking to the track against one of his four-legged competitors this week. Continue reading Olympic athlete launches Scottish SPCA’s Pound for Paws event