Unfortunately the word 'charity' now often fails to achieve the impact that it needs to do with the Britsh public. It's often perceived as a bit too worthy and participation is rarely truly fulfilling for the 'sponsor'. So we're hoping here to do something a bit different. GET INVOLVED but not just through giving a tenner and forgetting about it. There are 4 ways you can get involved in The PlayGroup Charity Challenges. Give your TIME, SKILLS, CASH or STUFF.
All things going well, or not! There will be daily photos and updates on these sites. If you are following this please send us a txt msg - we need all the support we can get. 07932 746 591. Thanks Chris
End To End diary
New York Marathon
posted by TPG @ 23:51
Each year I am going to do a number of challenges for charity. This year they are for the Lance Armstrong Cancer Foundation and The Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK. My sister Sue developed cancer this year at the age of only 38. Luckily she is doing well but this has obviously become a cause I want to put my best efforts towards helping.
I am cycling from Lands End to John O'Groats and running in the New York Marathon. You could get involved through the traditional sponsorship route but also by giving your own time or skills or even some stuff...
I am doing the cycling as domestique for that far more senior rider Kevin
We have set something up here - that will hopefully work! And will become a more involving way for people to interact with charities they support. Please read below and if you feel inclined please contribute in what ever way you can.
posted by TPG @ 19:49
Cycling from Lands End To John O'Groats
Leaving Lands End on September 13th and (hopefully) doing 100 miles a day for 10 days until we reach John O'Groats on Thursday 23rd. (enabling my cycling partner Kevin to get back to London to watch his mighty Spurs play Man U - being a West Ham supporter, I'd be happy for this ride to take the entire season).
Running The New York Marathon
This is on November 7th which means the most interesting thing is that I arrive the day after the US election - which I assume means I'll be spending the 4 days leading up to the run trying to get through customs.
I've received some greart support for these challenges from Cyclefit., who can fit you like a glove onto your bike! First Great Western, who can get you to and from Penzance with bikes!
posted by TPG @ 01:32
Lance Armstrong, 6 times winner of the Tour de France, has survived almost death at the hands of cancer and has since set up a very successful Cancer Foundation.
Lance Armstrong Foundation
The Lance Armstrong foundation produce the phenomenally successful 'Livestrong' yellow wristbands that sportsman worldwide are wearing. I will endeavor to provide one to everyone who gets involved here.
posted by TPG @ 01:30
What You Can Do
If you would like to become involved please choose one of the following four methods.
TIME
Please give your time and come and do another challenge with us. I'm happy to consider anything for any ability so if you would like to do something please e-mail me with your suggestions. contact
SKILLS
what can you do? Sponsor me by giving some of your time and skills for the causes I'm supporting. Whatever you are able to do and however much time you can give (from one day to one day a month). In the first place we would hold an informal brainstorming session in a 'good' cafe as to how we can collectively use our skills for the causes. contact
MONEY
The old fashioned route - but probably still the most effective! How much would you like to sponsor me for cycling 1,000 miles and running 26!? contact
STUFF
E-Bay seems to be the current retail phenomenon. Have you got anything that we could link up with E-Bay for, and auction on behalf of the causes? Ideally something of some minor value - something signed, rare, valuable and not just some old vinyl from a band no ones heard of! contact
How You Do It
Please send me an email and tell me how you would like to get involved - time, skills, cash or stuff! Or your thoughts and ideas as to what I'm doing. If you don't want me to post your comments below let me know (but if poss id like to!). Please feel free to e-mail a link to this page to any friends and contacts you have who you think maybe interested in contributing.
Thanks very much.
PS In 2005, if I'm still healthy, we'll be doing some more challenges and hopefully supporting Get Bush Out (if heaven forbid he's still there), The Samaritans (as I am one), Adbusters magazine ( a great magazine, with a great ideology), The Continuum Concept (a book everyone should read) and something worthwhile in Hammersmith (because that's where I live!).
from: Gary Bryan
well done - sounds like a brilliant idea so good luck with it all. There's fifty quid from me if you make it through to the end.
good luck
from: Phil Alex
Im a designer so I dont know how you can use me! but im up for giving a few days of my time (being a west ham supporter). Good luck
from: Neil
Put me down for a tenner
from: Paul
I have done training in a thing called New Medicine and use the persons mind to treat the condition to help stop doing it and do only good health. If this is something that can help then I am up for a coffee to discuss it in more detail.
With the same mind stuff I have worked with a couple of athletes who have run marathons to help them stay focussed during a marathon and helped them to stay in the zone and avoid the wall and the other not such good stuff that comes with it. If you wanna chat about that and want some help give me a shout and we can do that too.
Great idea you have and if I don't speak to you before good luck with the ride
From: Louise
I'd love to help and will read through all your stuff to see what I can do but I wanted to let you know I can DEFINITELY help with the NYC Marathon in November. Please let me know what you need as I'm based in the US so it's easy for me to organise stuff, I have a few friends and contacts in NYC (especially Manhattan/downtown which is probably handy for you) ... I can take time off and come over to help too so just let me know what I can do.
I'm so pleased you're doing all this - it must be so rewarding and I'm really proud of you!
Good luck with everything and let me know about the NYC - I really want to help.
from: Rupert
I'm in for the money I owe you plus 25%!
posted by TPG @ 23:23
