Charity place? Fundraising tips made simple

Running for a charity is one of the best motivators for me to make it to the starting line. There's a powerful accountability factor that drives you, as well as the commitment to give your best for a meaningful cause. Charities also make it easier to secure a race spot, rather than relying on the unpredictable ballot system or trying to meet the challenging ‘good-for-age’ qualification time.  

Raising a large sum in a short time is daunting, but it’s all about being proactive and strategic. Planning is key. The first thing I do is set up an online fundraising page and connect it with my Strava profile. Social media has also been a huge asset to me in spreading the word and gathering donations.

Top tips

On office days, I’d hold classic bake sales and even set up a sweepstake where colleagues could guess my marathon finish time. Another tip is to check if your employer offers a matching-donations programme. My company was able to match up to a certain amount, which allowed me to add an extra £700 to my fundraising total once I completed the marathon. It was a straightforward process that made a big difference in reaching my goal.

Feeling supported

The charities I have run for have always been incredibly supportive. I was able to meet my fundraising targets before the race day, which was incredibly empowering and helped carry me to the finish line. Knowing that the money raised would go to a very worthy cause made every mile more meaningful.