Have fun, test your limits and support the work of the MS Trust in 2017. Do something amazing for people living with MS
Do something
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Have fun, test your limits and support the work of the MS Trust in 2017
What are your goals for 2017? Do you want to see new places, make new friends, push yourself out of your comfort zone? Or do you fancy getting fit, taking up a new hobby, or learning new skills? You can do all this and more by taking part in an MS Trust fundraising event. At the same time, you’ll be making a real difference for people living with MS. We’re sure we’ll have something to take your fancy, whether you want to bake cakes for your friends and colleagues, camp out and learn survival skills or brave the dizzy heights of a skydive. If you have any questions about any of the events in this brochure, or if there’s anything you’d like to do that isn’t in here, get in touch with the MS Trust fundraising team and we’ll be delighted to help. You can email us at
[email protected], give us a call on 01462 476707 or find lots more information at mstrust.org.uk/fundraising Whatever challenge you decide to take on, you can be sure that the money you raise will help to make sure that no one has to manage MS alone.
Jo Sopala Director of Fundraising and Marketing at the MS Trust
Jo trekked Mount Kilimanjaro for the MS Trust in 2008
People often ask me about the highlights from my years of fundraising for the MS Trust. It’s a really tough question to answer! I’ve tackled some truly fantastic challenges over the years, and each one holds a special memory. Standing above the clouds at the summit of Kilimanjaro takes some beating. So does running in the London Marathon with crowds ten deep from Blackheath to The Mall. Free falling 15,000 feet from an aeroplane? That was just madness! Cycling around Europe with my eldest daughter was a special time for a proud father. And the Grand Canyon was breathtaking. But to know that for every ache, pain, tear, broken toenail, and for every drop of sweat and blister, I have made a massive difference to the lives of so many people with MS, now that’s my real highlight. Kenny Smith, MS Trust fundraiser since 2005
Survival Skills Weekend 23–25 June
Ne20w 17! for
Scottish Coast to Coast Canoe Challenge
Leave the modern world behind...
and learn to build shelters, light fires, forage for food and much more, in the beautiful Ashclyst Forest in East Devon. Channel your inner Bear Grylls or Ray Mears and test your ability to survive in the wild. Find out more: mstrust.org.uk/survival
6–10 September
Take in some of Scotland’s most dramatic landscapes... as you paddle and sail 60 miles along the Great Glen Canoe Trail from Fort William on the west coast, to Inverness on the east coast. Wild camping on the shores each night, you’ll enjoy the unspoilt countryside in its full glory. Find out more: mstrust.org.uk/canoe
Great wonders of the world await you... on our overseas adventure challenges! Here are just a few challenging treks to tempt you, but if none of these take your fancy please get in touch and we can help find something for you. Find out more: mstrust.org.uk/overseas
Iceland Trek
Trekking in Iceland was the most difficult stroll I have ever embarked on, with the most unbelievable scenery and the greatest people. When someone says it’s a life changing experience, I can confirm that it actually is.
Hayley has MS and is a veteran of the Iceland Trek
12–16 July
Sahara Trek
11–19 November
Great Wall of China Trek
Alps Trek
Grand Canyon Trek, USA
13–20 May or 16– 23 September
14–18 June or 6–10 September
7–16 September
Kilimanjaro Trek
27 September– 7 October
On your marks, get set... Go! Run for us in one of these great events in 2017, or get your own place in any running event and use it to raise sponsorship to help improve the lives of people with MS today. We’ll welcome you into our running club and will support you all the way to the finish line.
British 10k London Run 9 July (tbc)
This race route takes you past some of London’s most iconic sights. It’s open to runners aged 15 or over on race day.
I ran the British 10K for the MS Trust who have supported my mum since she was diagnosed in 2011. They have been brilliant since day one. I can’t urge you enough to give something back by joining the MS Trust team!
Discounts for earlybird booking and team entries! Find out more: mstrust.org.uk/british10k
Jenna ran the British 10k for the MS Trust in 2014 and 2015
Virgin Money London Marathon
23 April
The London Marathon is our biggest fundraising event: last year our team raised over £200,000. We have filled our places already, but we’re looking for people who have their own places to join our team. Find out more: mstrust.org.uk/ londonmarathon
Great North Run 10 September
Join our team at the greatest half marathon in the world! Book before the end of January and save £24. Find out more: mstrust.org.uk/ greatnorth
Debbie has MS and ran the Great North Run with her husband Joe for the MS Trust in 2015 and 2016
Coming over the Tyne Bridge was incredible. The sound of the Heather Small song ‘Proud’ summed up the emotion perfectly.
The generosity and good wishes of family, friends and total strangers has bowled me over again this year and it’s their kindness that powered me around London when the going got tough during the marathon. It’s humbling.
Tim, who has MS, ran the London Marathon for the MS Trust with his wife Caitlin in 2015 and 2016
Santa Run
December (date tbc) London’s biggest, fully accessible 5K or 10K Santa Run. Run, jog, walk, use your scooter or wheelchair. Children aged 8 and over can also take part. Find out more: mstrust.org.uk/santarun
Take your cycling up a gear... with one of our cycle challenges. On these pages we introduce a few ideas, but if you fancy something different – like a UK coast to coast ride, Vietnam to Cambodia, or even Land’s End to John O’Groats – please get in touch. We’ll do our best to help.
London to Paris Cycle Ride
19–23 July (alternative dates available)
It was an amazing experience. I got fit, laughed lots, fell in love with cycling, discovered the best tea rooms in the UK while training and met the most beautiful people while riding. It was an awesome adventure, I would absolutely recommend it.
This special edition of the London to Paris ride gives you the chance to watch the Tour de France Finale live on the famous ChampsÉlysées. It’s an exciting way to way to round off your own cycle challenge. Find out more: mstrust.org.uk/ londontoparis
Sara (left) and Bev cycled from London to Paris for the MS Trust in 2016
MS Circuit Challenge, Goodwood 21 May
Prudential RideLondonSurrey 100 30 July We’re looking for keen cyclists who are up for a challenge to tackle this 100 mile route on closed roads through central London and the Surrey countryside. Find out more: mstrust.org.uk/ridelondon
London to Brighton
17 September
Leave the buzz of the city behind and join 4,000 other cyclists for a 54 mile ride down to Brighton sea front. Find out more: mstrust.org.uk/ london-brighton
Join us at the Goodwood Motor Circuit near Chichester for a great family day out. Cycle 50 miles (21 laps) around the circuit in the morning or take on a few laps ‘by any means’ in the afternoon! There’s lots to keep everyone entertained on the day. Find out more: mstrust.org.uk/ goodwood
Take to the skies We have lots of opportunities for you to take part in a tandem skydive and make a difference in 2017.
Jump in June
Various UK locations, June Experience the exhilaration of a freefall from 10,000 feet at a skydiving centre near you during June. Can you help make Jump in June 2017 our biggest skydiving month yet? Find out more: mstrust.org.uk/jumpinjune
Big Blue Jump
Various UK locations, tbc
We are planning a series of Big Blue Jump skydiving event days throughout 2017. Get in touch to find out where and when you can get your adrenaline rush. Find out more: mstrust.org.uk/bigbluejump
What could be better than feeling as free as a bird soaring through the sky? I loved it!
Lisa jumped for the MS Trust in 2016
...or fundraise your way... by getting involved with one of our fabulous community fundraising events.
Be Bold in Blue for MS Awareness Week
24–30 April
Dress in blue, paint yourself blue, have fun... but most importantly make a difference for people living with MS. Our amazing supporters have held cake sales, dress down in blue days, raffles, dinner parties and even a tap dancing marathon. Find out more: mstrust.org.uk/blue
We were delighted to support the MS Trust and its Be Bold in Blue campaign. The whole team really got behind the day, from wearing blue to tucking into blueberry muffins. SweetTree Home Care Services
My Garden Party
Summer 2017 Open your garden to your local community or host a party for your friends and family during the summer months. Find out more: mstrust.org.uk/ mygarden
Megan, aged 12, organised a garden party in 2015 and 2016
We decorated the garden with blue and white bunting and my dad even painted the decking blue and white. We organised a raffle and got lots of prizes donated. It was lovely to see everyone joining in and helping me raise money. I couldn’t believe that my garden party raised £1,000!
Reindeer Rally
Winter 2017
This is a great way for young children to get involved in fundraising. We’ll provide a pack which includes a free reindeer mask for each child to design and wear for a short sponsored race. Find out more: mstrust.org.uk/reindeer
Christmas Cake Off
Winter 2017
Host a Christmas cake sale, baking competition, or afternoon tea party with your friends, family or colleagues. You can help to support people with MS with just a few simple ingredients. Find out more: mstrust.org.uk/christmas-cake-off
My days raising funds in Tesco worked so well. I would recommend everyone try this as you get to meet so many people and talk about the MS Trust and the good work that it does.
How can we help you?
Jo, Jess, Donna, Emily Laura and Kelly from the MS Trust fundraising team
We know that taking on a fundraising challenge can be a big commitment and so our friendly fundraising team will be on hand to give you lots of help and guidance along the way. You will have a dedicated person to contact who will provide you with advice on fundraising and preparing for your challenge, as well as any fundraising materials you might need, such as sponsor forms, collecting tins and t-shirts.
Peter has MS and cycled from London to Paris for the MS Trust in 2016
How will the money you raise help people with MS? Because we receive no government funding, we rely on our supporters to fund our vital work. People like you, who donate or take part in events like the ones in this brochure, contribute one third of our total income. All the pennies and pounds you collect by running, cycling, partying or baking, really add up. The funds you raise will make a difference today for people living with MS. You could help fund a new MS nurse for people who are currently having to manage MS alone. You could help train and support every MS specialist nurse in the UK to make a difference for hundreds of thousands of people with MS. And you could help to make sure that there’s reliable, trustworthy information available to help everyone with MS make decisions that are right for them.
Join us and make a difference today!
Lucy has MS and ran the British 10k for the MS Trust in 2016
I wanted to run for MS Trust with my dad to prove that love for life prevails over all illness, and that I am not defined by MS. I don’t have the vocabulary to explain how crucial the MS Trust has been in turning my life around. Please get involved.
The MS Trust is a charity which works to make a difference today for the more than 100,000 people living with MS in the UK. We produce practical, reliable information, online and in print, and offer a telephone and email enquiry service to anyone who needs to know more about MS. And we work to make sure everyone affected by MS can access good quality, specialist care. We offer a full range of support to both specialists and health professionals with an interest in MS, including online information, publications, newsletters and professional development. We work in partnership with health professionals to improve MS services now and in the future. We rely on donations to fund our vital services. To find out more about our work, how we can help you and how you can get involved • visit mstrust.org.uk • call 01462 476700 • or email
[email protected]
Registered charity no 1088353
