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| Ann Barnes, at the end of her 4-day cycle to Paris. You could follow in her tracks by sporting the Cecily's Fund orange on one of the 2007 rides! |
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| One of the many unspoilt beaches that you can visit on a trek through the Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand. |
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| En route to Machu Picchu - a section of the famous Inca Trail. |
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- Fundraising Challenges
If you are looking for adventure, and want to raise a really life-changing sum of money to enable more orphaned and vulnerable children in Zambia to access the education that is their right, please read on...
Cecily's Fund has teamed up with an events company to offer you a range of hiking, cycling and horse trekking challenges, in the UK and a wide variety of overseas locations. See below for the full list of different options and email us for more details about any of the trips.
Who comes on these challenges?
Each challenge is graded - moderate, tough or extreme. They are all designed to be physically challenging, but you will be provided with a detailed training plan to help you achieve the required level of fitness to really enjoy the trip. People of all ages from 18 to 70+ have been known to take part!
While some people sign up with a friend or partner, many others book individually. These are 'open challenges' so your fellow participants will be supporting various different charities. Everyone is motivated by their own particular good cause and so groups tend to be sociable and supportive. Many long-lasting friendships have been formed through the shared experience of the challenge.
Where can we go?
There is a great range of trips available, through amazing landscapes and over remarkable terrain. For 2008 and 2009, you can choose to:
Cycle
• through Vietnam - the remote northern region
• around western Cuba
• in Peru, from Lake Titicaca to Machu Picchu
• from London to Paris
• from Land's End to John O'Groats
Hike
• along Hadrian's Wall in the UK
• to Everest Base Camp in Nepal
• across the Sahara in Morocco
• the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru
• up Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania
• along the Great Wall of China
• up Ras Dashen, Ethiopia's highest mountain
• through the northern villages of Vietnam
• around Patagonia, Chile's final frontier
• along the coastline of New Zealand
• around the glaciers and icecaps of Iceland
Horse trek
• around Mongolia
What are the costs?
For each challenge, you are asked to raise a minimum amount of sponsorship - this ranges from £500 to £3250. Included in this sum are the trip costs, which make up 40% of the sponsorship amount. Cecily's Fund receives the remaining 60%, plus any money you raise over the minimum sponsorship level.
In addition, you have to pay a non-refundable registration fee (this varies from £49 to £549 depending on the trip) to book your place.
Will I be able to reach the fundraising target?
Please don't be put off if the minimum sponsorship sounds high - our previous participants in these challenge events have all exceeded the minimum with ease. We are always happy to offer fundraising support and advice, so please contact us if you have any concerns or queries.
Some people choose to pay the trip costs themselves or raise the money through car boot sales, jam-making, or organising other events. We can provide you with lots of suggestions and advice. Many companies have a matched giving scheme, which is an easy way to increase your sponsorship total. Other people raise the whole sponsorship from friends and family. We don't mind how you go about raising the total - you just need to make it clear to your sponsors how much money (if any) is going on the trip costs.
What is included in the trip costs?
Trip costs include things like flights (where applicable), accommodation, meals, guides, medical support and transport of your luggage. Details vary depending on the challenge.
When do I need to sign up?
Most people sign up 6 to 9 months in advance, to allow plenty of time to train for the particular demands of the challenge and to fundraise.
Many of the trips do fill up so it is advisable to book as soon as possible to secure your place. Some challenges run more than once a year, so there may be a range of dates available. Contact us for full details of any of the challenges mentioned above and a registration pack.
Do I need to be based in the UK to take part?
Although all the overseas challenges depart from the UK, it is usually possible to opt out of the travel arrangements and make your own way to the challenge starting-point. The travel costs would then be deducted from your sponsorship target.
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