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A Brief Summary of my Fundraising Journey for MRF

15/5/2020

No matter how many degrees or what kind of education we have, there are some lessons we can only learn through the School of Life. Here’s a little heads up on my experience with volunteering and how it helped me grow as a person.

In September 2020, I was supposed to be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in aid of the Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF) if I could reach the £3050 fundraising target. Unfortunately, my climb is now cancelled because of obvious safety reasons regarding Covid-19.

To be completely honest, climbing the world's tallest free-standing mountain has been a lifelong dream. Every day, I was getting closer to and more excited about fulfilling it. So, when I heard the news, I was terribly disappointed. But this project is bigger than climbing Kilimanjaro. It’s about fulfilling the dream of children, parents, direct and indirect victims of meningitis and septicaemia. It’s about eradicating meningitis by 2030; I shall never forget it.

Looking at the big picture, I just realized how many skills I gained from fundraising for MRF. When I thought I was shy and introverted, I had to convince countless people to donate money for a cause they (sadly) didn’t necessarily know about. I laughed out loud during events like the dare contest, fought my fears during the Thai-Boxing interclub contest. This month, I have led a team of 20 volunteers during an online e-sport tournament where we raised more than £600 in less than two weeks ! A few months ago, I didn’t know much about charity and fundraising. Today, I can confidently say that volunteering will always be part of my life.

Last but not least, I have met awesome people like Shubham who is now a great friend, Luke from Students Against Meningitis, and Beatriz - president of Warwick RAG. I could mention many well-driven individuals wearing their heart on their sleeves, and many lessons that I have learnt from this experience… What a long list it is!

Moral of the story? MRF’s cause is greater than any mountain in the world. Our fundraising journey with MRF is not over. In fact, we’re only halfway! I am profoundly grateful to anyone that has helped me so far. If you want to check out our campaign for MRF, here’s the team’s link: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/warwick-kili-2020?fbclid=IwAR0dKZuXdfrvQFR6e50RO-b86y2Q2LvlfgUU2PkgCJY70Vtparan9g_DGLQ
Spread the word, spread love.

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Supporting Charities during Quarantine

29/4/2020

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Hi! My name is Bia, I’m the new President of RAG and I wanted to share some ideas to support our beloved charities during this unprecedented quarantine state. Charities are currently going through a lot of losses due to the cancellation of various events and the big hit on global economy. As a RAG, we feel a responsibility towards the charities we support throughout the year so here are some virtual challenges that some causes close to our hearts have set up over the last few weeks. If you go to our website and click on the tab “Coronavirus”, you will find a list of more fundraisers to hold from home.

Quest to Bidibidi - East African Playgrounds are a charity that focus on sustainable development within education by building playgrounds and giving children the opportunity to play during their childhood. Playing develops social skills, communication and helps children deal with trauma. This incredible charity has recently launched a virtual challenge called Quest to Bidibidi. Bidibidi is the second biggest refugee settlement in the world, as large as the city of Birmingham! The quest aims to highlight that there are thousands of refugee children whose access to safe and fun play, helping them recover from trauma is severely limited and their lives will inevitably be further impacted by COVID-19. Funds raised by teams who take part will help East African Playgrounds fund projects including helping 27,000 refugee children in Bidibidi have a chance of a brighter future. This virtual challenge that starts at the charity’s Headquarters in Bletchley, in the UK and takes teams of up-to 12 people across 10 countries, covering 8,800km to Bidibidi settlement in Uganda. You'll navigate your way there through exercise/ physical activity, complete challenges and fundraise in order to rack up those kilometres. Here is the link to the challenge: https://www.eastafricanplaygrounds.org/quest-to-bidibidi.

2.6 Challenge - The 2.6 Challenge has been setup to save the UK's charities who are set to lose billions of pounds this year because so many fundraising events have been cancelled. Many different charities affected by the current crisis are urging people to raise funds in 2.6-related challenges. Some examples are Beat, Breast Cancer Now, Action Against Hunger and Meningitis Research Foundation. Last year, the London Marathon raised £67 million for charities and The 2.6 Challenge is uniting the nation to do the same today.

Beat (https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/beat-at-uog-s-2-6-challenge) - UK's leading charity supporting those affected by eating disorders and campaigning on their behalf eating disorders. The demand for their Helpline has soared by 35% but at the same time our income is set to drop by 30%.
Breast Cancer Now (https://twopointsixchallenge.justgiving.com/get-involved?charityId=169) - A larger number of people have been calling the Helpline as many people affected by breast cancer that their fears and worries have increased during this time.

From Sunday 26 April onwards, you can create your own challenge/activity, and hold it whenever you can. Simply choose your challenge based around the numbers 2.6 or 26 and fundraise to support any charity of your preference. You can hold a dance-a-thon for 26 hours or a virtual challenge with 26 of your friends from uni who can donate to take part, or you could do a sponsored cycle, run or walk for 2.6 mile.
Link for more information: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/giving/events/twopointsix/

Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF) - MRF is a leading UK, Irish and international charity that brings together people and expertise to defeat meningitis and septicaemia wherever it exists. Their vision is of a world free from meningitis and septicaemia, where effective vaccinations can protect everyone. 24th of April was world Meningitis Day, which reminded many that even though coronavirus is a big focus right now, lethal diseases like meningitis are still affecting hundreds people, especially children. 2020 is a crucial year for them. For over a year, MRF, along with experts all over the globe, have come together to help the World Health Organisation draft a detailed, concrete plan on how to defeat meningitis by 2030. In just less than a month, they will announce this plan at the World Health Assembly to gain global commitment to making this dream a reality.
There is a pledge to pressure world governments to make meningitis a priority in the future and it would be amazing if everyone could sign it- https://meningitis.typeform.com/to/Ectcvk?fbclid=IwAR1PofuZxGmNltmifz5TBBrr94BTVCc5QzGwNXhB7Bc7jGSwIJZhoRF8DOc

St. Basil’s walk - St Basil’s is a charity dedicated to reducing youth homelessness and equipping them with the relevant skills to find employment has reached out with a virtual walk of the World famous Camino de Santiago trail. The walk can be completed individually or in teams - you will have six weeks from 4th of May to complete and it'll cost £10.00 to participate. If you were in a team of five for example, it’ll only be 4,500 steps a day - which would hopefully be a breeeeze for the majority of you ! It's a great way to keep fit and combat boredom at home.
More info here-https://stbasils.org.uk/basilbytes/step-up-and-join-us-on-a-virtual-walk-along-the-world-famous-camino-de-santiago-trail/
This opportunity will be running from the 4th of May to the 12th of June

5K Challenge - You can also go for a run and complete the 5K challenge where you run 5 kilometers, donate £5 to a charity of your choice and nominate 5 people to do it as well! It's fun and keeps you healthy! You could also climb the height of Mount Everest in your stairs at home and raise thousands of pounds or reach out to your community and see if there is anything you can do to help those at greater risk during this difficult time.

If you have any virtual fundraising idea, reach out to us and we can help you put it up and promote it! I hope everyone is well and safe!

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A Brief Summary of my Fundraising Journey for MRF

Supporting Charities during Quarantine

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