Brake seeks adventurous fundraisers to trek in aid of road crash victims

Brake, the road safety charity, is seeking energetic and adventurous fundraisers to sign up now to hold a fundraising trek in aid of its work campaigning for safer roads and supporting road crash victims.By getting sponsored to trek, individuals and groups - from seasoned hikers to teams of colleagues or people seeking a challenge - can help Brake continue its work to bring about safer streets for people on foot and bike and to support people who suffer the devastation of a bereavement or injury on roads.

Brake is appealing to walkers everywhere to trek for Brake this year, in support of the charity's recently launched campaign to make roads safer for walking and cycling through slower traffic speeds in communities and better pavements, paths and crossings. Read about the GO 20 campaign.

On 28 September Brake supporters will be climbing Mount Snowdon, and Brake is calling on more people to sign up now and join the adventure.This challenge, during which participants will reach the highest peak in Wales, is a great opportunity to get active and fundraise for Brake. Visit www.brake.org.uk/get-moving/trek-for-brake.htm to find out more about the trek, and contact Lisa via the details below to register. (See attached flyer for details)
 
You can also sign up for a trekathon, a marshalled 26-mile trek in the UK or overseas, and find more details about scheduled trekathons at www.discoveradventure.co.uk. 

In 2012, 62 people trekked for Brake, raising a fantastic £20,997 for the charity, including Lisa Henney from Oxford (see below and photo attached - Lisa, centre, is pictured fundraising for Brake).
Brake provides all fundraisers with a pack containing a t-shirt, sponsorship envelopes, hints and tips on raising funds, and information on Brake's work.

To trek for Brake, complete our form or contact Lisa Kendall on fundraise@brake.org.uk or 01484 683294. Find out about other fundraisers, plus hints and tips at www.brake.org.uk/fundraise.

Lisa Henney from Oxford last year trekked 26 miles between Winchester and Salisbury cathedrals with her fiancé Tim and friend Chloe, raising over £2,500 in memory of her 18 year-old sister Jan,who was tragically killed in a road crash in January 2012. 

Lisa Henney says: "After we lost Jan I felt helpless, knowing there was nothing I could do to change what had happened. My friend Chloe told me about Brake and the work that they do to support families who have been bereaved and we decided to do something positive that might make a difference and help save lives. That's when we decided to do the trek. It was one of the most physically challenging things I've ever done but it was one of my proudest moments and I feel like I made Janproud too. I'd definitely recommend doing a trek as a great way to challenge yourself and do something positive for others."

Lisa Kendall, community fundraising manager at Brake, says:"Trekking for Brake is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors in aid of a charity that carries out vital work: supporting families going through unimaginable suffering, and defending everyone's right to walk safely. By following in the footsteps of people like Lisa, Tim and Chloe you can help us campaign for safer roads and support families devastated by road crashes. If you're planning a hiking trip this year, you're a walking club member, or you just love a stroll with friends and family, consider combining your love of walking with fundraising for a great cause. You'll be helping us continue campaigning for everyone to be able to walk without being endangered."

Royal Russell School rallies behind teacher’s charity plea

Staff and pupils at Royal Russell School in Coombe Lane, South Croydon, are rallying to raise money and awareness for the Motor Neurone Disease Association following a request by PE teacher Sarah Culliford whose brother, Andrew, is suffering from this terminal illness.

Sarah, 25, wanted to do something positive to help Andrew and the MND Association  charity which is supporting him through his illness.  She asked the School if it could help stage a fund-raising event and suggested pupils and staff sponsored a school team to walk all or some of the 66 mile Vanguard Way which runs from Croydon to Newhaven.  Sarah gave an assembly to the 600 Royal Russell senior school pupils in which she asked them to consider what they could do to show their support.  

“The response was phenomenal with 250 staff and pupils dedicating the weekend of June 14-16 to a fundraising effort which we have called the Vanguard Challenge,” says Sarah.  “The scale of this is beyond my expectations and I’m humbled by the School’s support of Andrew, our family and the charity.”

Over one third of the pupils have since signed up to complete a physical feat of endurance. “We gave the pupils the idea of the ’66 miles from sea to school’ and explained that the Vanguard Way is a challenging  route to follow on foot or by bike,” says Deputy Headmaster David Selby.  “I was astounded, not only by the sheer numbers pledging to walk, run and cycle some or all of the distance, but by the individual ideas in which the challenge could be developed.  We even have a group horse riding!”

Other interpretations of the ‘66’ include such diverse events as a 6.6 hour Zumbathon, a 66 mile ski trip and kayak route.  More unusually, an afternoon of abseiling down the School Chapel tower has been organised and Portia Bean, 17,  is baking and selling themed cupcakes.  Even the very young children aged four to 10 in the Junior School are taking part, with many walking three miles alongside their parents and teachers. 

The majority of the senior school pupils are tackling a six or 12 mile walk or run on the Sunday but a few are literally going the extra miles.  Jack Stone, 14, will complete a 66 mile swim in the School pool on the final day of the Challenge and two members of staff and two parents are aiming to run the whole 66 miles on the Sunday.  Forty pupils and staff are walking the full distance, covering 22 miles each day and camping en route.  

All the money raised will go to the Motor Neurone Disease Association to help fund its research and care for sufferers like Andrew.  Motor Neurone Disease is not widely understood.  Sufferers have a life expectancy from one to five years from diagnosis and their symptoms develop in different ways.  What is common to all is the slow paralysis of the body as their motor neurone pathways become affected.  Often it starts in their fingers or toes and gradually progresses to their limbs.  When the disease reaches their mouth/throat, sufferers find it hard to swallow or speak.  Eventually, the lungs are affected and the sufferer passes away. 

“Motor Neurone Disease is a truly debilitating illness for which there is currently no cure,” says Helena Maliniak, MND Association regional fundraiser for London.  “We are working tirelessly to  raise awareness, encourage more drug trials and educate people so they can understand the plight of those affected,” she says.  “We are totally reliant on fundraising.  The Royal Russell School Vanguard Challenge is on a scale not often seen by the MND Association: we are truly grateful for the School’s support of Andrew and Sarah.”

More information can be seen at www.vanguardchallenge.co.uk. 

Celebrity David Walliams’ Frank Confession in Support of Martlets Hospice Anonymous Art Auction

 

Comedian, David Walliams, has made a surprising confession of being unable to draw when asked to contribute a postcard to an Art Auction being organised by the Rotary Club of Brighton in support of the Martlets Hospice. Despite being a bestselling author and judge on Britain’s Got Talent, the gifted entertainer is clearly insecure about his artistic abilities. The postcard he was asked to contribute was returned to the organisers with the inscription – “I can’t draw at all.’ Fortunately, he sent a signed copy of his award winning book to be auctioned instead, and, perhaps his fans will want to own his confession too.      

The Art Auction is at 7pm on Wednesday 12^th June at Brighton Museum. The auction offers people the chance to bid for original works of art by well known artists, celebrities and sports stars. However, in an intriguing twist, no one will know who the postcard-sized, original artworks are by, adding to the excitement of the evening.  As Sussex is home to many well known artists there are already some delightful works of art up for grabs and a host of famous names have contributed pieces, including Sally Gunnell and Nick Cave. 

Tickets will be on sale on the door and cost just £5 which includes a complimentary glass of wine. The artworks will be exhibited in the Founders Room adjacent to the Dome Bar and progressive bidding will be possible for every picture and photograph on display. From the Museum there will be direct access into the Dome where Brighton Jazz Club will be entertaining throughout the evening.

The Art Auction is part of the 12-month long celebration of the Centenary of the Rotary Club of Brighton. Of the 1800 Rotary Clubs in Britain & Ireland, the Brighton Club is only the 9th (and the 1^st in the South-East) to reach this milestone. The Royal Pavilion & Museums Foundation is also supporting the event by hosting the evening. Proceeds from the Art Auction will go directly to the Martlets Hospice who need to raise £8,000 every day in order to carry out its vital services.

The artworks will be on display in the Founders Room from Friday 7 June and a selection will also be shown on the Martlets website. All bidding will take place at the event on 12^th June.

For more information visit the Martlets website www.themartlets.org.uk