Hi everybody, I hope I find you all safe and well.
A big heartfelt thanks to everyone who has very generously donated and supported me so far. At the time of writing, incredibly, we have almost reached 75% of the initial target.
This week’s training has been full on and sometimes, it has to be said, a little bit sweaty in 34 degrees heat. Given the challenge takes place on an English bank holiday I should be training in the rain. The miles have taken me out to Northampton and the picturesque Grendon village. On Wednesday I cycled 62 miles, with a coffee stop and photo opportunity at a friends place in Great Donnington.
This week also saw me take on a different type of challenge, fitting roof bars. It took me far too many attempts and a couple of hours but I have now created the ultimate Team Manson Support Vehicle. Who needs Instructions? Pass me the hammer!
On Saturday I popped into the Club to have that long awaited pint. It was very encouraging to see our club members respecting and abiding by the club attendance protocol. Further reassurance of our community club putting the safety and wellbeing of its members and guests as its main priority.
In discussions with the Chairman or for those that don’t know him, Adey Mitchell, I would like share in plain language why I feel compelled to except this challenge and why it is important not only to the club but also for the people of Corby.
The Club recognises we are an aging population comprising of many different groups and it is our ambition that we fully reflect the community we serve. Thus, ultimately we require lift access and additional toilets for the upper floor so we may be fully inclusive and to satisfy our community needs. All this comes at a cost, the estimated cost is a whopping £40k.
So how could you get involved and help support this transformation to your club?
The good news is, we are generating interest for the appeal, with 80% of the current just giving donations being pledged by friends, family and non-club members. I have also just heard about a generous donation from a sponsor, more on this next week.
I understand the difficulty in these unprecedented times for every member to make a donation so we have to think differently.
A few ideas.
1. Speak to your business contacts, to:
• Purchase a pitch side advertising board.
• Provide a donation for the lift to be branded in their name.
• Identify local lift company contacts as potential sponsors.
2. Organise a fundraising event from cake sale or car boot sale to an extreme challenge.
3. Let me know if you have or know someone with experience in identifying, writing the applications for and securing grant funding.
4. Any other ideas welcomed.
So help give S&L a lift by getting involved by sharing this post and Just Giving site link.
Tam
