Sometimes you bump into people quite randomly and realise good luck has crossed your path with somebody special, Brit Mums forum is marvellous for doing that, a melting pot of great minds up and down the country. In fact it was only the other day I saw this post in Kate’s Charity Connections group
Trekking is a secret dream of mine, my passion would be Macchu Picchu and one day I hope to do this so I was totally in awe of Dee Russell who will be trekking the Himalayas in May 2013 and whilst she’s there working on a project in Delhi too!
I had to find out more. This is her reply
I’m Dee, I blog at www.theinexpert.wordpress.com and I am the Corporate and Community Fundraiser for the Society of St James, a Hampshire based charity supporting people who are homeless or vulnerable to homelessness.
Next May (3-13th 2013) I will be embarking on a fundraising trek of the Himalayas which will also include hands on work on a homelessness project in Delhi. When I set up the project I was volunteering with the Society of St James, I had absolutely no intention of going. The plan was always to make a charity challenge happen, but never to be a part of it. I was only volunteering to gain experience for my CV so that I could try to get back into work after bringing up my littlies.
What changed?
My Fundraising Manager said he’d love to do something like that but felt that raising the £3000 sponsorship plus £300 deposit and then the extras like air taxes and visas etc was unattainable for him. He’s a father of two in his early thirties, he’s personable, fun and sociable … For me this was a bit like red rag to a bull. I’m a mother of two in my early thirties, I’m personable, fun and sociable … I pointed out that the ideal way was to fund the trip costs (approx £1500) personally -as if you were paying for a holiday, and then to fundraise the rest. I also pointed out that as a lipgloss wearing, glass nail file using, bunting loving mum, it would be easier for me to raise sponsorship as this kind of trek is so far outside my comfort zone.
And lo and behold, I am now booked onto the trek …having paid my deposit (out of my own pocket) and commenced fundraising. I feel I have a bit of a point to prove, to the boss who thought it was out of reach, to myself – who just has no desire to go wild camping in the Himalayan mountains, leave alone seeing first hand the abject poverty when we work for a couple of days in Delhi, to anyone who thinks, “I can’t do that, I can’t leave my kids for 10 days, I can’t raise that amount of money, I can’t walk for four days solid, I can’t do painting/decorating/gardening in a homelessness project in Delhi”, to The Society of St James who have never undertaken a project of this scale in fundraising terms … I really just want to show people that if I can do this, it may be an option for them too.
My first large chunk of fundraising came through a sponsored My Vegan Lent. I gave up consuming and wearing animal products for the 46 days of lent and blogged my progress, this process contributed £500 to the trek totaliser. Other fundraising plans include selling my skills and talents – I am a trained graphic designer, holding chariTea parties, car boot sales etc. Other trekkers have other fundraising plans, the ideas are as diverse as the people coming.
I would urge anyone reading this with even the tiniest urge either to come along, or to recommend to a friend or family member, please comment and converse with me below or use the contact form on the site and get in touch!
You can tweet me @MonocleAndFez, or professionally @TheDeeRussell, I don’t mind how you do it, just join the conversation!
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Anja
Saturday 17th of November 2012
, they were white enough initlaily to let them be. Plus, that would call for more work and after hours on my hands and knees taping, measuring, and finally painting I wasn't about to start over for a second color (haha!). Happy painting Jessie
Daniel M. Kantrowitz
Sunday 5th of August 2012
I have recently started a site, the information you offer on this web site has helped me greatly. Thank you for all of your time & work.
Trekking the Himalayas for a good cause – wanna join in? | Public Domain Publishers
Thursday 12th of July 2012
[...] from: Trekking the Himalayas for a good cause – wanna join in? This entry was posted on July 12, 2012 and tagged all-tabs, charity, charity connections, [...]