It’s not the winning, it’s the taking part.

Views from our Community Fundraising Officer – Andrew Tee

There comes a time in a man’s life when you think “I need to get fit before I get too old”! Well, that time is now. I know, I could not have picked a hotter time of year to start cycling into work and running in the evenings, but you have got to strike whilst the iron (and everything else) is blazing hot!

I, like lots of people, have had various dalliances with fitness over the years. I’m a classic example of the person who signs up for an event, gets fit, completes the event and then hangs up his running shoes for another season (or two!).

Well, this time it’s different. No, really it is, I promise. Having just started with the Child Brain Injury Trust 2 months ago as their Community Fundraiser for the South my job is all about motivating people to get involved with the charity, and taking on challenges to raise money.

I figured whilst I’m riding high on the wave of enthusiasm for this new role I might as well give myself some challenges too. So, not being one to do things by halves I have signed myself up for a muddy 10K assault course in October with a group of friends, and I have also said I’ll run the Rome marathon in March 2014 in support of the charity!

I’m a big believer in leading by example, even if it is leading from the back of the pack. Let’s get this straight, I’m no Mo Farah, but I’ll give it a good go. For me it really is like your mum used to tell you at sports day, “it’s not about winning, it’s about taking part”! 

So, how’s it going so far you ask? Well, I got to my first training milestone last night by completing a 10K run. I left my house at 7.00pm, and by 7.03pm I was thinking “what am I doing?” it was far too hot to be running. But I toughed it out and completed 10k in 1 hour 10 minutes, not the fastest I have ever run by any means, but still respectable.

You see it’s not about how far you run, or how fast you run, it’s about getting out there and just running. Or cycling, swimming, walking, whatever is your thing. With busy lives it’s too easy to find an excuse not to go to the gym, not to get your running shoes on and go for a quick run. But as soon as you get out there and do it, you remember why it makes you feel so good. 

I love running because it’s a great way to de-stress from a busy day. I don’t listen to music whilst I run, I don’t really think about anything whilst I run. I just plod along and clear my mind of everything apart from the road in front of me. And then when I get home I know I’m a little bit fitter and healthier than I was yesterday, and that is motivation enough to do it again tomorrow.

There are loads of motivational slogans about running, my favourite goes something like this “Don’t ask me why I run, ask yourself why you don’t”. If you feel motivated to get active and you’re looking for a challenge to work towards, or you’d like to talk about supporting the charity in a less strenuous way, please get in touch: andrewtee@cbituk.org 

Friday Fundraisers - Team British London 10K

As part of our 'Friday Fundraiser' blogging series this week we would like to thank team 9 Gough Square and Samantha Critchley for taking part in the British London 10K. 

Team 9 Gough Square before the race

Every other week we aim to provide you with an inspiring Friday Fundraiser, and this week will not disappoint. Our Friday Fundraisers are Samantha Critchley (Partner at Field Fisher Waterhouse, member of the Legal Services Directory), Jaime Brooks, James Tippey, Kirsten Sills and Joanna Smith (staff from 9 Gough Square barristers chambers). 

James Tippey nearing the finish line

The team took to the streets of London last Sunday and along with 25,000 others people to run in the British London 10K. Even with the current weather all members completed the race in good time. Well done to Jaime Brooks who finished first in 48 minutes 9 secs, closely followed by James Tippey, 31 secs behind him. Samantha Critchley completed the race in 57 minutes, Kirsten Sills finished in 1 hour 10 minutes, followed by Joanna Smith who finished in 1 hour 31 minutes. 

The British London 10K is an iconic race that takes its' runners through Trafalgar Square, past Somerset House and finishes near Downing Street. Not sure if our runners managed to take in many of the sites though. Never fear the Child Brain Injury Trust was there on the day cheering them on to the finish line. It was a great day, with everyone getting involved and cheering the runners on to the very end. 

The finish line

Together our runners have managed to raise over £1500. If you would like to show your support you can sponsor the team by following the link to Sam Critchley or team 9 Gough Square's page. 

We would like to thank all who sponsored the team and the runners themselves. Thank you for choosing to support families affected by childhood acquired brain injury. 

We try to get a team together every year for the British London 10K; if you think you might be interested please register your support now. Alternatively, we have lots of running events that might suit you, so please do not hesitate to contact us to find out more. 

Once again thank you to our Friday Fundraisers and well done!

Posted by Emily Honey, Fundraising Coordinator. 

The Friends of The Manor present £15,000 cheque

Andrew Tee and Rowan Knowles at the cheque presentation

For the past 12 months the Child Brain Injury Trust have been lucky enough to be the chosen charity of the year at the Manor Preparatory School in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. The whole school has been involved in supporting the Charity by getting involved in all sorts of events. There has been a sponsored walk, a fabulous summer ball for the parents, and three members of the PE staff have just completed the 3 Peaks Challenge in well under 24 hours.

Our Community Fundraiser, Andrew Tee, was lucky enough to be invited to join the school for their special Leaver’s Assembly on Friday 5th July, where he was delighted to receive a cheque for £15,623.10 from The Friends of The Manor chairman Rowan Knowles. What a truly fantastic donation!

This figure represents the money raised by all of the events throughout the year. It would not have been possible though without the hard work and commitment of the school and The Friends of The Manor who have worked so brilliantly together to raise this fantastic sum.

Andrew was also privileged to be presented with a very special birthday card to mark the 21st birthday of the Child Brain Injury Trust. The card was designed by a year one pupil; she was there in person to present it on the day. Thank you Celeste for your fabulous card design (pictured left).

If you think this story is as fantastic as we do, why not suggest to your local school that they choose us as their charity of the year? It’s a fantastic way for children to learn about the importance of supporting charities and it is lots of fun too. If you’d like to talk about supporting the charity, please get in touch with our Community Fundraiser.

Friday Fundraiser - Eleanor Broad

Summer Coffee Mornings and Cakes Sales

Photo from Eleanor's Coffee Morning 

To continue on with our 'Friday Fundraiser' feature, the Child Brain Injury Trust would like to thank sixteen year old Eleanor Broad who recently held a coffee morning in her home city of East Lothian and managed to raise an amazing £387. 

Eleanor sustained a traumatic brain injury from a horse riding accident a few years ago and the Child Brain Injury Trust were able to support Eleanor and her family. It is wonderful to hear Eleanor wanted to give something back to help families faced with a similar situation. Thank you Eleanor. 

Our Friday Fundraiser blog is our way of saying thank you, but it is also a chance for our fundraisers to tell you in their own words why they chose to support us; so here is Eleanor's story. 

“After I suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2009, my family and I received a wealth of well needed advice and support from the Child Brain Injury Trust. I was motivated to fundraise for them to help them continue their great work and also as a way of saying “thank you” for the help my family and I received. It is extremely rewarding knowing the money I have raised is going to a be used to help other children and their families just like mine.”

If Eleanor has inspired you to hold your own coffee morning this summer, then please contact Emily Honey for more information. As you can see it is a wonderful way to bring together family, friends, neighbours and the whole community if you wish.

Once again a huge thank you to Eleanor for her support.

Posted by Emily Honey, Fundraising Assistant.