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Free Money? Raising
money for Lifeboats during our Hebridean Challenge race was easier than we
first thought. ThereÕs a
reason Mountain Rescue teams put collection boxes on the bar in pubs
frequented by climbers. You get
your pint, you take your change andÉ. there comes that moment when you
imagine what it would be like to still be on the hill, stranded with a broken
leg, waiting for someone to help.
The change finds its way into the box.
Simon after the race Credit:
Duncan McCallum As a sea
kayaker, I admit, a certain similarity of thought lay behind my decision to
fundraise for the RNLI. I wanted
to help the volunteer crews of the UK lifeboats who I know will help me if,
heaven forbid, things ever go horribly wrong. ItÕs a symbiotic relationship. They rely on our donations, we rely on them. At first,
it seemed like too much fuss.
Preparing for the 2005 Hebridean Challenge demanded a great deal of
commitment. I ran 10km twice a
week, cycled, weight-trained and kayaked. I felt I simply did not have time to hawk around a
sponsorship form. Then during
the Scottish Sea Kayaking Symposium on Skye, I saw Sean MorleyÕs slide show
about his epic paddle around the British Isles and thought, ÒIf Sean had time
to raise money for the RNLI, then so do IÓ. It was
easy. Honestly, I was surprised
at how generous people are, especially when they can donate money securely
using the internet. Within a
matter of weeks IÕd passed my £1000 target. The RNLI gave me a page on the web, onto which I put a
photo and some words. I then
e-mailed the address of the site to everyone I thought might sponsor me. ItÕs the sleek, electronic equivalent
of waving a tatty piece of paper under peopleÕs noses, and far more
efficient. Because the RNLI can
reclaim the tax, for every £10 donated, they actually receive £12.82. ItÕs like free money, or tax magic. They asked
me to write this short article to let other sea kayakers know that, in this
wired world, seeking sponsorship for whatever heroic event youÕre attempting
is simple and straight forward.
Of course, you could raise money for whichever charity is close to
your heart. But if you paddle
British seas, you donÕt need me to remind you of the importance of the big,
bright orange boats. Look on it
as insurance. And while youÕre
at itÉ you can still sponsor me! |
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