oh gawd

[Steppylud]

I am doing Ride London, as many here probably are. I got an email yesterday from my charity (paid charity place) asking for a couple of paragraphs on why I am doing it for them and send a couple of pictures, then they will promote it on their facebook / Website. Feeling pretty crap that I have only raised £140 so far, especially when the charity means so much to me. Beginning to feel like I only signed up so that I would get a place.

 

[vickster]

Beginning to feel like I only signed up so that I would get a place.

How much are you meant to raise, do you have to dig deep into your own pockets to cover the minimum?

If the charity means so much to you, surely it should be easy to say why you want to ride for them (even if you did only sign up to get the place )

 

[mjr]

Well, why are you doing it?

I sympathise because I couldn't answer that question so it's part of why I've never considered it. I'd also feel a bit of a fraud, soliciting money for the sort of distance I do anyway sometimes, so I'd probably not raise much... My ideal sort of charity rides are the ones where a charity organises it and makes some money off the entry fees and any press coverage and donations are a bonus.

 

[Steppylud]

I think it was £650. (But it was a "We really know how difficult it is to raise money") The place was about £60.

The writing bit will be easy, I might blub a bit when writing it. It is for the Royal Marsden Cancer charity so you get the idea. I just feel like a charlatan that I have taken their place and haven't done enough to try and raise money....

 

[mjr]

I've seen a couple of begging messages from charities with unfilled places just after the TDF starts in past years. I've not this year but I've been busy. So if you've raised a bit, that's better than them being left with an unfilled place which would raise £0....

 

[vickster]

I think it was £650. (But it was a "We really know how difficult it is to raise money") The place was about £60.

The writing bit will be easy, I might blub a bit when writing it. It is for the Royal Marsden Cancer charity so you get the idea. I just feel like a charlatan that I have taken their place and haven't done enough to try and raise money....

So you need to make up the £500 shortfall...that's usually how it works - you've 2 weeks I'd be surprised if the Marsden didn't fill its spaces for a large London-Surrey sportive

 

[Steppylud]

So you need to make up the £500 shortfall...that's usually how it works - you've 2 weeks

Thanks for the support! I have bought a euromillions ticket. You never know I could sponsor myself!

 

[vickster]

Fingers crossed

 

[Sandra6]

Do you have a just giving page? If we all give you a quid you might only need to make up the £450 shortfall ;-)

 

[Steppylud]

https://www.justgiving.com/StephenLudlowRL/

Don't feel pressured

 

[AndyRM]

Some good advice on how to promote yourself on the PRL-S site.

How strict are they with the amounts? Whenever I've done stuff for charity it's usually a £250 target that I've never quite met but always been close to. I'd be surprised if they hounded you for the full whack unless you've signed a contract, maybe give them a shout?

 

[vickster]

Do a cake sale at your office, everyone loves cakes (and it's a fairly low outlay for you) Or if it's scorching hot, buy ice creams at local supermarket from own pocket and flog around the office

 

[Steppylud]

@coffeejo Thank you!

 

[Steppylud]

Thank you people of CC, you are awesome and that was totally unexpected.

 

[Dirk]

I say shame on the organisers for making anyone feel guilty for not having raised the 'required amount'.
You've already paid £60 to enter. They should be grateful for your support and any amount extra that you have managed to raise.