What was I thinking?

So it's been a little while since I signed up for the trek now and I've kicked off my fundraising with a new Justgiving page (www.justgiving.com/jenthorley) and a Facebook campaign (part one of many I'm afraid friends... please don't start blocking me!).

The sponsorship is starting to trickle in, and since it's so near to Christmas it's really nice that people are parting with their hard earned cash so soon! I know myself that it's really easy to put it off (especially when I'm not even going until August next year!), and I've been really touched at the people that have bothered to contribute so early on in the day (perhaps you're worried that the current economic crisis is only going to get worse!) I've had sponsors from old schools friends, friends of friends, best friends and even a mightily generous donation from a good friend who donated his 'new phone fund' to the cause... and as he's a certain breed of 'uber-cool geek' (you know the type) I know what kind of sacrifice that must have been.

I've also set up a group on Share (www.macmillan.org.uk/share) for all the people going on the trek to get to know each other and swap fundraising tips, and it's amazing to hear that for some of these people it's their third or fourth challenge event for Macmillan. The effort they must put in year after year just shows what an impact this charity has on so many, and whilst I'm currently still daunted by that looming donation target, it's gotta be worth it in the end.

Fundraising-wise I'll admit I'm being lazy this close to Christmas and a much-needed holiday... but my plans are starting to take shape and I'm 'refining' them ready to start with a bang in the new year. It's difficult to think about holding events that are going to be fabulous but also bring in the cash without completely overspending on outgoings (probably the reason we have such a fantastic fundraising team to do it here at Macmillan.) So my idea for a film night was quickly squished when I realised I'd have to charge people about £17 just to break even... no one's that generous or eager to watch three films of my choice. It's back to the drawing board for me!

No turning back!

After much umming and erring and worrying about how on earth I'm going to raise £2,800, I finally took the plunge and handed in my application form for Iceland. The deposit is non-refundable, so that's it, decision made and now it's going to be a terrifying few months whilst I try and raise the money. Credit crunch Britain is not going to be the easiest time to find some generous supporters, and the fact that I work for the charity rules out my company matching my contributions, but hey, it's a challenge for a reason I guess. I'll be holding some fabulous events and will certainly be spending some time shaking a tin outside the shops (be grateful if you don't live in London as you won't be pestered by me), so keep an eye on this blog to see how it's all getting on.

I also found out that the trek is 100km... up and down mountains... best get training then.

And so it begins....

After my first three months at Macmillan Cancer Support, I was struck by a sudden urge to get off my butt and start doing something good. Blame it on a need to get that warm, fuzzy feeling, a guilty conscience or just an urge to spend a holiday in a more productive way than swanning around a European city (if only), I decided the time had come to set myself a challenge.

Challenge events are part of the culture at Macmillan. In a place where getting involved is part of the mantra, there is no better way to do this than by plunging head first into one of their rugged, challenge events. Although the choices are multiple, I found it fairly easy to narrow it down - cycling the Great Wall of China would be amazing, but lets face it, for a girl who breaks into a sweat just thinking about climbing the stairs instead of taking the lift, it was unlikely. I'd already mastered the Inca Trail a few years ago and a marathon is a dim and distant dream. So, Iceland it was... the latest event offered by Macmillan.  

So come August 2009 I'll be spending 6 days trekking over hills and valleys, camping outside and living without life's little luxuries to raise money for people affected by cancer. The target's 

3000 pounds, and I'll be hosting events, saving my pennies and asking my most favourite people in the world for sponsorship to raise that money. This blog will record how my fundraising and planning goes over the next 10 months, how I fare on the trip itself, as well as keeping you posted on the events you can come along to to support me.

1 in three of us will have cancer. Cancer affects us all, and we can all do something to help.

If you're feeling wonderfully kind and generous this close to Christmas, you can sponsor me at http://www.justgiving.com/jenthorley .... pretty pretty please.