Join and Support the Swimathon 2012

World’s Biggest Fundraising Swim

Swimathon started in 1986 and since then more than half a million swimmers have taken part, raising over £36 million for charity.

"Swimathon provides motivation and a personal challenge to swimmers nationwide.  It also offers a goal to train for, a target to achieve and a great cause to support.” Duncan Goodhew, Olympic gold medallist and Swimathon President.

Swimathon, the world’s biggest fundraising swim is getting even bigger in 2012, joining forces with British Swimming and BBC’s Big Splash, Marie Curie Cancer Care and Sport Relief to deliver what is hoped will be the biggest Swimathon Weekend ever.

The Swimathon Weekend 2012, 27-29 April, will give thousands of swimmers the opportunity to raise vital funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care and Sport Relief through Swimathon’s established distance challenges and the new ‘Big Splash Mile for Sport Relief’.

Swimmers taking part in Swimathon for Marie Curie Cancer Care will be able to choose from the 5k, 2.5k or Team 5k challenges and those opting to raise money for the ‘Big Splash Mile for Sport Relief’ can take part individually or as part of a team to complete the Mile.

As part of the Swimathon Weekend, the Swimathon challenges are designed to suit all levels of fitness, ability and age. Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2012, Swimathon hopes to engage even more swimmers and pools than ever before.

For more information on how to get involved and do your bit for charity check http://ghost.swimathon.org/page.php?page=Whats_in_it_for_you and use the various links to have a look around the website.

My Charity Fundraiser

Well I've finally had confirmation of the start time for the charity run I am completing in December, and now less than 2 weeks away!


I will be doing the 10k Santa Run at Heaton Park, Manchester on 11th December at 11am, raising money for critically ill children, please come along and support the hundreds of participants helping various charities around the world.
For additional information and any questions please contact me on jharveyscharitywork@hotmail.co.uk


For donations please visit my Just Giving page...... http://www.justgiving.com/jharveyscharitywork
This is the safest way to donate, as the money goes directly to the charity in question, Manchester Children's Critical Care Fund (ManCCCF).


As you can see from the page, my minimum sponsorship target is £100 but ideally I do want to double that at least, so please do what you can to help, it's much appreciated.


You can also donate by texting        CARE80 £1    to 70070  (PLEASE NOTE; THE AMOUNT CAN BE CHANGED, eg £2, £10 etc)


Thanks for taking the time to read this short blog about my upcoming event for charity, please leave your comments and share this with everybody you come across, thank you :)


James Harvey - @JamesHarvey87

My Charity Fundraiser

Now only 4 weeks until my 10k Charity Run on 11th December!!!

I could still do with a few donations so please help by visiting www.justgiving.com/jharveyscharitywork and doing what you can, every bit helps! Please recommend the link.

I am raising funds for Critically ill Children in Manchester for ManCCCF www.mancccf.com

You can donate safely through the above justgiving page or by texting CARE80 £amount to 70070.....example text CARE80 £2 or CARE80 £1 etc. We appreciate all your help, and couldn't raise the £1,000,000 target ManCCCF have without you!

by James Harvey @JamesHarvey87

Could you be the Charity Voice of 2012?

A small article about how YOU could become the Charity Voice of 2012 http://www.mediatrust.org/about-media-trust/news/charity-voice-2012-launched-by-porter-novelli-and-media-trust/

Porter Novelli and Media Trust today announced the launch of ‘Charity Voice 2012’ a new award recognising the most talented spokespeople in the not-for-profit sector.

This award will highlight the importance of good communication skills of spokespeople in charities and the public sector. With increasing pressure for not-for-profit organisations to play a role in our ‘big’ society, it reflects the increasing demand from the media for views and opinions of the third sector.

Nominees will be selected monthly from delegates attending our media interview training sessions run by Porter Novelli at their in-house facility, Studio 31. Porter Novelli is a global PR agency recently named ‘2011 Best Multinational Consultancy to Work For in EMEA’ in the Holmes Report.

Gavin Sheppard, Marketing Director at Media Trust said: “We hear more and more about civil responsibility, but I would ask whether charities have a big enough voice in the discussion? Training like the courses we run with Porter Novelli are invaluable to help a charity raise its visibility, get its message across and its voice heard, successfully. Today this is more important than ever.”

Porter Novelli’s Corporate Practice Leader Neil Bayley said: “People working in the third sector often have a passion for their cause, which means that they have immense potential as spokespeople. It is always a pleasure for us working with them to help hone their skills and succeed in media interview scenarios. I am pleased that we can formally recognise their ability through this new award scheme.”

People attending our Media Interview Training sessions up until the end of April 2012 will automatically be entered into the award scheme. The winner of the ‘Charity Voice 2012’ award will be chosen by a judging panel consisting of Editor of Guardian Voluntary Sector Network, David Mills, and Editor of Third Sector, Stephen Cook, along with Media Trust and Porter Novelli representatives. The winner will be announced in May 2012 and will receive a profile interview on the Guardian Voluntary Sector Network plus a free training session for six people at their charity as a prize.

For more information on the course or to book a place please our Media Interview Training page.

Charity Christmas Gifts 101

Christmas is one an amazing time of year. People really step away from their own lives to give. It is an amazing concept and really healthy for people to do. A few years back I sat wondering to myself why I wasn't giving to the unfortunate during Christmas. Every year our family is blessed with an abundance of gifts under the tree. We are flooded with all these gifts every year, maybe we should help those less fortunate as well. So we began volunteering during the holidays.

It is a very magical feeling to see all the people come out during the snowy holiday to help others deliver meals to those that cannot get out, or wrap presents to give to children in orphanages. Last year was the best, I saved up $500 dollars to donate to Kiva.org. Kiva gives very inexpensive loans for people all around the world. This way small business people that cannot afford a loan from the bank can get a loan to buy some seed for their farms in Asia, or some money to start a general store in rural Latin America. I then gave each person in my family the computer to pick a family or group to donate to. They loved this, it brought everyone together and people still ask how their family is doing with their loan.

Here are some great ways to give back during the holidays. It brings people together and inspires people to be a part of it.

Gifts That Keep on Giving

Sendacow.org.uk: This is a great organization. The websites name is a little misleading because they do not just send a cow. They work with families and groups for about 5 years to teach people how to provide for themselves. They work primarily in Africa in starving towns and villages. Their is an old saying 'Give a man a fish and you can feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you can feed him for a lifetime.' Sendacow.org.uk teaches people how to fish.

Kiva.org: Now known world round. Kiva has provided millions of dollars in loans around the world. The great thing is that the minimum donation is $25 which is very cheap and when your loan gets repaid you can re-loan it. I have now completed over 25 loans in 7 months and will have many more loans to donate.

Christmas Parties and Drives

Christmas Party: Everyone always loves a party. Especially during the holidays. It doesn't just have to be a traditional Christmas party to raise money. You can throw in some fun with it. How about an 'Ugly Christmas Sweater Party'? Have an entrance fee promoting your cause. Push the idea that the it is a charitable party for all to help the less fortunate during the holiday season. People love to help others and have a blast at the same time.

Christmas Drive: Find a cause that you like and create a contest. I did this with my birthday. I wanted to raise $1000 in 10 days for children with Developmental Disabilities in Costa Rica. Ten days before my birthday I made a video saying that instead of birthday gifts this year I was collecting donations for these children. I posted the video on Facebook, You Tube and e-mailed it. We raised $1342 in 10 days. People loved and really joined in. It was an amazing experience.

Family and Self

We now have a cause every year as a family. This really brings us together and helps us appreciate what we have more and more. Giving is such a powerful thing and when you work together as a family to do it, it is even more amazing. For a few years we have volunteered at the Salvation Army either wrapping presents or delivering meals. It is easy fun and very fulfilling

Charity Christmas Cards: These are an excellent way to give back. Instead or looking for the best deal for Christmas cards look for the cards companies that give back to others based on their sales. In reality they are not that much more than the other Christmas cards and you are doing a great thing.

Christmas Charity Bracelets: Charity bracelets are always a great little fundraiser. Many organizations do this during the holidays to raise some quick money. They make great profits and almost anyone can afford a $1.00 bracelet.

There are a list of charity Christmas gifts we can talk about, but we will stop here. The important thing is that you now have an idea of where to start. Trust me, once you take the lead in a project like this other will follow. People really love to give back and be a part of something bigger.


The author has participated and worked with dozens of charitable organizations and fundraisers. He invites you to learn more about charity Christmas gifts, starting a cause yourself and charity bracelets.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Reynolds


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6483581