Posts Tagged 'Running'

200 miles in running events in 2012, even more this year!

Published February 22, 2013 Virgin Money Giving News Leave a Comment
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Crossland

Some fundraisers have really got the running bug!

Not content with tackling 200 miles in events in 2012, Helen Crossland has set herself an awe-inspiring challenge for 2013.

We heard from Helen about her journey:

“In 2009 I decided I would get back into running as I used to enjoy all the sports and events at school.

Getting back into running a good 20 years older wasn’t going to be easy and just like any beginner I found the thought of even attempting to run 5 kilometres an absolutely daunting task.

I knew I would put of any training if I could so I booked myself into some local events to make myself train.  The embarrassment of walking the finish line was not going to happen, I would make it and I will finish whilst running.  My stubborn personality has seen my ability to run long distance go from strength to strength.

If anyone had even hinted that I would be running a marathon in 2013 I would have laughed and called them bonkers for even thinking such a thing.

“It’s now 3 years later and I’ve run various local events of 5 kilometre, 10 kilometre and last year I even got to do more than one half marathon.  That’s 22 kilometres or 13.1 miles.  Either way – it’s a very long way to run.

“This is my second year at this whole fundraising stuff.  2012 I managed to complete over 200 miles of events.

“This year I’ve set myself a much bigger challenge.  Completing all those events in 2012 was hard work.  How could I continue to earn donations by entering running events and keep it a challenge?  I wanted to show that I am going to work much harder this year.

“My 2013 challenge is 5 Marathons (26.2 miles) and 2 Ultra’s (50 miles).  This takes the event mileage to over 300 miles for this year.  To run 26 miles only once is daunting but to attempt it five times in a year has got to be a challenge worth some hard earned pennies.  For those who don’t think 26 miles is far enough the Ultra’s will hopefully show I’m utterly bonkers!

“Milton Keynes Marathon in May 2013 will be my first attempt at marathon distance in an event.

“It’s not going to be easy this year and I want to show that I’m going to earn every penny of donation towards the four charities I’ve selected this year.

  • Make a Wish foundation – having children myself I completely support this idea for the children and their families to have those special moments to cherish.  Nuff said.  I’m welling up with tears.
  • RSPCA – To help them support animals.  I donate to them monthly already and I will for a as long as I can.
  • RNLI – Unsung heroes to our rivers and coastlines.  I will do my best to raise a few pennies for you guys.
  • Cancer Research – Since I started running I have raised money for them each year.  This year I’m doing it through Virgin Money Giving and I hope whatever money I raise will continue the fight against cancer.

There’s not much more I can say other than I’m going to try my hardest to beat last years fundraising effort.

Thank you Virgin for setting up fundraising pages like this to help.”

The countdown to the Virgin London Marathon

Published January 11, 2013 Virgin Money Giving News 1 Comment
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It’s less than 100 days until the 2013 Virgin London Marathon – a perfect milestone to let your friends, family and colleagues know that you’re taking on the 26.2 miles for charity and to point them in the direction of your Virgin Money Giving page.

If you’ve yet to set up your page, it’s quick and easy. Just follow these simple  steps.

Why not keep us updated on your fundraising and training efforts on our Facebook, Google+ or Twitter- You’ll want to follow us as we’ve got some exciting competitions coming between now and race day.

Oh and don’t forget as soon as you receive an online donation to your Virgin Money Giving page we’ll send you an exclusive Virgin London Marathon kitbag.

Raywood tames the Royal Parks half

Published December 3, 2012 Fundraiser Stories , Guest Blog Leave a Comment
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Over the past few months we’ve received updates from first-time half marathon runner Dan Raywood.

Well, a couple of months ago Dan took to the start of the Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon, raising money for NSPCC and Childline. We heard from Dan soon after he crossed the finishing line in Hyde Park:

“I finished the Royal Parks half marathon in 2 hours and 43 minutes. The experience was really something I had not experienced before – streets lined with friends and families of the 12,000+ runners, noisy charity workers (in a good way) including my chosen charities, the NSPCC and Childline, whose encouragement pushed me on at mile 12.

“The experience was fantastic, despite the early start and cold, muddy conditions, I got going around 9:45 and the first 9/10 miles went well. I ran my fastest mile to date (10 minutes 40 seconds) in mile 1. I would say all went well until around mile 9 or 10 when my legs really started hurting and my thighs went to sleep. But I pushed myself on.

“Crossing the line as any runner will say, is an incredible experience and this was no different. I cannot fault anything about the organisation of the Royal Parks Foundation, it was fantastic from beginning to end.

“As for my next step? I have some plans for December but nothing into next year. However I hold fast on my ‘not doing a marathon’ promise, maybe that is my aching feet talking!

“Final thing I want to say is the about three groups of people I did this for: the first is obviously me, as I always wanted to do this but never felt capable enough to do it until I actually tried.

Secondly – the charities for whom I raised over £1,500  in sponsorship. A big thanks to everyone who backed me.

Third is you reading this – if you want to do something like this, then I say you can. Hey I’ve  done it!”

Running the Virgin London Marathon? You could win a £500 boost to your page

Published November 22, 2012 Competitions 1 Comment
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We’ve gone competition crazy in a bid to encourage you to get collecting donations for your 2013 Virgin London Marathon charity.

Every time you receive a donation to your page between now and 31 December we’ll automatically enter you into a prize draw. You’ll also receive an entry into the draw for each donation you’ve already received on your page.

We’ll then draw two winners who’ll each receive a £500 boost towards their target.

It’s not too late to start fundraising now either!

The first 20,000 fundraisers to create their Virgin London Marathon page and collect sponsorship will also receive a free exclusive kit bag.

Terms and conditions apply.

There’s still a chance to take part in next year’s event, check out these charities who still have places available.

Our free Virgin London Marathon kitbags are on their way

Published November 15, 2012 Competitions 20 Comments
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 The first batch of our exclusive ‘Virgin London Marathon kit bags’ have been popped in the post.

If you’re fundraising on Virgin Money Giving for the 2013 Virgin London Marathon, and have already started to collect donations through your page you should be receiving yours shortly.

We’ve also put an ‘I’m running’ postcard in the bag, just write your fundraising page address on it and stick it somewhere for everyone to see (maybe by the coffee machine at work?). There’s a bag of Jelly Babies in there too, a great ‘quick sugar release’ you can eat while running – an alternative to gels.

And finally, the fashion accessory no fundraising runner should be without – a Virgin Money Giving sweat band. Not just handy while you’re on a run outside or on the treadmill, but we’ve got a little something planned for them, so watch this space.

It’s not too late to get yours, there’s 20,000 of them and still lots available, so why not create your page now.

Play TrickorTweet with us and you could win some hi-vis running gear

Published October 30, 2012 Competitions , Virgin Money Giving News Leave a Comment
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Last weekend the clocks went back and not only are the nights getting darker much earlier but with Halloween this week you might bump into the odd ghost or ghoul if you’re out for a run, so make sure you take extra care!

To help you ‘Be safe and be seen this Halloween’ we’re offering 10 ronhill hi-vis running vests if you’d like to play #TrickorTweet with us. All you need to do is send us a spooky Halloween themed photo and we’ll pick the 10 that made our hair stand on end the most.

Perhaps you’re holding a Halloween themed fundraising party? Going out for a run in your ‘Trick or Treat’ costume? Carving a pumpkin? Or creating a spooky atmosphere in the office or charity you work for.

You don’t have to be on twitter to play #TrickorTweet with us, there’s lots of ways you can enter:

  • Tweet the photo to @vmgiving using the #TrickorTweet hashtag.
  • Email the photo to twitter@virginmoneygiving.com with #TrickorTweet in the subject line.
  • Post a link to the photo as a comment to this blog post.

We’re nervously looking forward to your spooky entries. Make sure you get them into us by 5 November!

Terms and Conditions

  1. Entry to the Virgin Money Giving  ‘#TrickorTweet’ competition (“Competition”) is open to all Virgin Money Giving fundraisers who are UK residents aged 18 or over at the date of entry. Employees of the Promoter, their immediate family or anyone directly connected to the Competition or operation of the Competition are not eligible.
  2.  The Competition will open at 09:00 on 29 October 2012 and will close at 23:59 on 4 November 2012. The Promoter reserves the right to modify, terminate, suspend or extend the Competition at any time without prior notice.
  3. Entrants can enter the Competition by submitting their photo via twitter to @vmgiving using the #TrickorTweet hashtag, through the Virgin Money Giving Google+ pages, as a comment posted to the Virgin Money Giving blog or via twitter@virginmoneygiving.com. Only one entry per person. Third party entries will not be accepted.
  4. All correct answers will be entered into a prize draw and the winning 10 entries will be drawn independently and at random from all valid entries received. The prize draw will take place within two weeks of the competition end date.
  5. The winner will be notified through the method they entered or email by 30 November 2012. Details of how to claim the prize will be provided during notification. Automated entries are not permitted and will be disqualified.
  6.  By entering the Competition, entrants accept these Terms and Conditions and agree to be bound by them and any subsequent decisions by the Promoter under these Terms and Conditions. The winners agree to allow the Promoter to confirm their name, age and county of residence to other entrants.
  7. The winners’ names will be available upon request by sending a stamped addressed envelope to: Virgin Money Giving #Trick or Tweet competition, Marketing Campaigns, Virgin Money Giving, Discovery House, Whiting Road, Norwich NR4 6EJ.
  8. Winners may be asked, but are under no obligation, to participate in non-paid publicity accompanying or resulting from this Competition.
  9. Force Majeure events may occur which render the prize draw itself or the awarding of the prize impossible due to reasons beyond the control of the Promoter and, accordingly, the Promoter may in its absolute discretion vary or amend the Competition and entrants agree that no liability shall attach to the Promoter as a result thereof.
  10. Jurisdiction: Entrants agree that the Competition is governed, interpreted and enforced by the laws of England and Wales and by entering, all entrants submit to the jurisdiction of the Courts of England and Wales.
  11. Virgin Money Giving ltd is a company registered in England and Wales under company number 02733492, whose registered office is at Discovery House, Whiting Road, Norwich NR4 6EJ (“Promoter”).

Looking for a place in the Virgin London Marathon

Published October 18, 2012 Events , Fundraising Tips 2 Comments
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By now most people will have received their ‘Congratulations’ or ‘Sorry’ Virgin London Marathon magazine.

If you got a place, don’t forget to set up your page early. You can get your page started here.

If you didn’t get a place – don’t worry. Plenty of charities will still have places open for runners keen to tackle the 26.2 miles. You can find out, and apply for the charity places here.

Most charities will have a minimum sponsorship they’d like their runners to reach. We’ve got plenty of fundraising tips on our site, but don’t forget to let us know your fundraising tips.

Best of luck.

Exclusive kit bags for first 20,000 Virgin London Marathon fundraisers!

Published October 9, 2012 Competitions , Events 95 Comments
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If you’ve heard from the Virgin London Marathon that your place in next year’s race is confirmed, or have signed up for a place through a charity, we’ve got some exciting news for you!

As well as helping runners raise money for their favourite charities this year we’re doing a little something to help you, the runner. We’ve put together a little kit bag with a few essentials to get you started, and it’s free!

The first 20,000 runners to start fundraising with Virgin Money Giving will be sent an exclusive kit bag towards the end of October.

And we’re not leaving it there, we’ve got tips and support for you all the way to race day, and some fundraising total boosting competitions coming in the months ahead.

Did you know as the official fundraising website of the Virgin London Marathon, since we started in 2009, we’ve helped fundraisers collect over £145 million* – with £38.8 million from Marathon runners alone.In fact, in the last three years an additional £1.3 million has reached charities just by Virgin London Marathon runners fundraising through us instead of JustGiving** – because we’re 100% not-for-profit.

To get your name on the list for a free kit bag, just create your page and start your fundraising today. And if you’ve already started don’t worry, your name’s already on the list!

UPDATE 15/11

The first batch of kit bags have now been posted, let us know when you’ve got yours.

*Figure includes Gift Aid up to 26/09/12 **If the £38.8 million raised through Virgin Money Giving for the 2010, 2011 and 2012 Virgin London Marathon was raised through JustGiving instead, £1.3 million less would have reached charities. This is based on the Gift Aid reclaim rate for the Virgin London Marathon on Virgin Money Giving and the overall mix of payment types on Virgin Money Giving.

Katie Piper takes on the Royal Parks

Published September 20, 2012 Virgin Money Giving News 1 Comment
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After being motivated by successfully completing a 10k run and raising £1,900 for her Foundation earlier this year, and having enjoyed an amazing summer of sport during the Olympics and Paralympics, Katie Piper is stepping up her distance and running the Royal Parks Half Marathon on Sunday 7 October.

The race takes participants through four of London’s Royal Parks and takes in some of the capital’s most historic landmarks, including Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Houses of Parliament and Royal Albert Hall.

We heard from Katie in the lead up to the race:

“I was so honoured to have been invited to carry the Paralympic torch on the day of the events opening ceremony and humbled to see the amazing endeavours and achievements of our Olympians and Paralympians this summer.

“Being new to running, taking part in my first 10k and now moving up to a half marathon has been quite a challenge.

“I’ve had to squeeze the training into my diary, though have really enjoyed every minute of it and I’m nervously hoping to achieve a good time in the Royal Parks Half Marathon.”

Katie is raising money for her charity the Katie Piper Foundation, which makes a positive difference to burns survivors through life-changing treatments and workshops.

Running the Great North or Great South Run? You could boost your fundraising

Published August 16, 2012 Competitions 1 Comment
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Are you taking part in the Great North or Great South Run?

If you are you could win up to £500 for your chosen charity. All you have to do is set up and activate a Virgin Money Giving fundraising page for The Great North Run or The Great South Run and you’ll be entered into a prize draw to win one of three donation prizes:

  • A £500 donation to the winning fundraiser page for their chosen charity
  • A £250 donation to the two runner-up fundraiser pages for their chosen charities

The closing date for the draw is 11 November 2012.

All fundraisers for the The Great North Run and the The Great South Run who have set up and activated their page within the competition timelines will automatically be entered into the draw. Click here to read the terms and conditions.

Take part in this event…

You can enter online and find the answers to many questions at www.greatrun.org/events.

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Earlier at the Virgin Money Giving Mini Marathon start kaavmw 90b3nf 1qdxbi ^AS

Earlier at the Virgin Money Giving Mini Marathon start kaavmw 90b3nf 1qdxbi ^AS

Earlier at the Virgin Money Giving Mini Marathon start kaavmw 90b3nf 1qdxbi ^AS

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