Why Fitness and Fundraising Go Hand in Hand

For many people the start of a new year carries with it that age old resolution of getting in shape. I'm sure we've all said it or contemplated it in the past.

One striking trend I have noticed having worked in the Non-Profit sector, is the relationship between exercise and fitness and helping charities such as ourselves.

Setting ourselves challenges can sometimes be difficult, as there is not always the guidelines in place to guide us to our ultimate goal; in this case a fitter, healthier us.

This is where charity events come in.

Just going through our event calendar for the first half of 2012, we have the 5K Run/Walk, the Bike Ride, Potters 'Arf Marathon, Midnight to Sunrise Walk along with a fancy Drag Race squeezed into the middle.

The variety of the events throughout the year is also; I believe a definite trigger for the mass participation for people of all ages and backgrounds.

The Midnight to Sunrise Walk is a ladies only event, whereas the Drag Race is a men's only event, but for people who may want to do something less strenuous the 5K can cater.

What you find is, certainly in the case of the Midnight to Sunrise Walk and 5K Run/Walk, is that many families will do it as a group, whether it be mothers and daughters or entire families in the 5K's case.

The Potters 'Arf, for which we are one the benefiting charities, is more in my eyes for the more hardened runners who have done long distance running in the past; but it can also be seen as goal to work towards for those who make the fitness vow at New Year.

For people who have now joined a gym, running club or do their own thing this is a achievable target.

All of these events take place between April and June so, despite the unpredictable weather, the hope is that all will have at least reasonable weather for most (for all that maybe too much to ask).

It's not just these events that capture people's imaginations though, as many people organise their own events not just for us but other charities.

Just last year we had a group of enthusiast supporters who taught Zumba Fitness, who staged an event at Northwood Stadium which despite some heavy weather, went on to raise over £2,000 in donations.

The demand is clearly there for these events; so the real question is, have you signed up yet?

Here's a link to our events calendar -

http://www.dmhospice.org.uk/what-you-can-do/eventscalendar