Posts Tagged ‘Breast cancer’
The Power of Yes
Posted on: June 12, 2012
I’m quite good at saying no. Politely, firmly…even with a dash of charm and humour on a good day. But oh, the wonderful and fantastic adventures that a yes can lead to!
Back in January, I said yes to taking part in the Edinburgh moonwalk – walking 26.2 miles at night in my bra with 14 work colleagues, in order to raise money for breast cancer charities. This weekend, we travelled up on the train, we saw the sights of Edinburgh, we donned our glitzy bras…and we did it!
It was tough. It poured down with rain on Saturday and by the time we arrived in Inverleith Park, the ground was a muddy bog and it was impossible to avoid getting wet feet before we had even started. Even inside the marquee, muddy water seeped through the temporary floor. One group of women had plastic bags tied around their feet, which they didn’t remove until they were safely on tarmac and the walk had began…a very smart idea indeed. The walk started for our group at midnight and because we were towards the back, it took around 10 minutes to cross the start line. The crowd of women (and a few men!) walking through the steady rain in their bras and waterproof ponchos, was an awesome sight, snaking up the hill as far as the eye could see. This was a force to be reckoned with, masses of extraordinary individuals committed to walking through the rainy night, raising money for a common cause.
We walked…and walked…and walked. Never quite as fast as I had managed during my daytime training, but certainly quickly enough; through the dark streets, past the many pubs and bars, up the hills, along the cobbles, by the seafront. And along the way we were encouraged and cheered by volunteers, greeted with “good morning!” (even at half past midnight, which took a little getting used to!) and given water, sweets, fruit and a cup of hot chocolate at mile 20.
26.2 miles is a long way and at night seemed even longer. Dawn broke early, not long after 3am and, other than for the first hour and an a half, the rain mostly held off. My right leg became sore after 18 or so miles, yet still we walked, always in view of those behind us and keeping our eyes on the people and the path ahead. Buildings were lit up in pink, well-wishers hung out of windows in the middle of the night to cheer us on and the sense of goodwill, support and encouragement was quite simply overwhelming.
We crossed the finish line just after 7am, with tears in our eyes and huge smiles on our faces. Determination, elation and an enormous sense of achievement.
My team has raised over £10,000 so far for breast cancer charities. Even in our relatively small group, we shared so many heartbreaking and inspiring stories of how breast cancer has affected us or those very close to us. Thank you so much for your support and sponsorship, it means an enormous amount to me and to the team, to WalktheWalk and the people and charities they help. If you haven’t sponsored me and would like to, there is still time and you can do so by clicking here.
Thank you. I will be saying yes more often!
You Get What You Give
Posted on: January 29, 2012
- In: Fundraising | Values
- 5 Comments
I’m a firm believer that if you commit to doing something, you should do it properly and make the experience as great as it possibly can be. The more of yourself, of your time and your energy you put in; the more tangible results, satisfaction and sense of achievement you and others will get out of it.
So, having agreed to walk a marathon at night (and in my bra) as part of the Moonwalk 2012 team, I have spent much of this week buying some of the basic equipment required to start power-walking, planning how I am going to approach the training and beginning to fundraise. I am hugely grateful of everyone who has sponsored me so far, if you haven’t yet and have been meaning to, the link is here.
I’m very aware that what I have done so far is the easy bit – essentially shopping, starting to walk more and planning. It is not so much the walking that worries me as I am confident that I have plenty of time to build up my stamina and fitnes levels; I am already concerned though with how I will manage walking throughout the night in this way. I have never done anything like this before and I am certainly not a natural ‘night owl’…far from it!
I am keen to raise as much money as I possibly can for Walk The Walk, which is a grant-making charity, not only dedicated to raising funds for vital breast cancer causes but is also passionate about encouraging women and men to become fitter and healthier. I rather imagine I shall become fitter and healthier myself over the next 5 months ;).
I’ve got a few different ideas for fundraising and would love it if you would be able to support me in any of them –
- I’m willing to open this blog up to advertising over the next 5 months, in return for a generous sponsorship donation. All money raised will go to Walk The Walk and the company logos will appear on the top right hand side of my blog, with a click through to your website
- Would you like me to write a guest blog for you? Happy to do so, in return for some sponsorship!
- I have been dabbling in writing children’s stories lately and if you know a little person who would like a short story written especially for them, complete with illustration, then let me know and let’s talk 🙂
Contact me on Twitter @AlisonChisnell, leave me a comment on the blog…I’d love to hear from you if you are interested in any of these options. I’d also love to hear about any fundraising ideas you have tried and what has worked really well.
As the lovely Doug Shaw will attest, what goes around, comes around…and you really do get what you give! I’m determined to put in as much effort and commitment to this challenge as I possibly can…and I would love it if you can help me along the way.
The HR Juggler 