Fundraising Challenges and Skydives

Parachute jumps, runs, triathlons, cycle rides and adventure challenges. If you are active and have a sense of adventure we have something to suit you! These fun and physical events can be done on your own, with a partner or with a group of friends or colleagues.

Brighton Marathon - get your place from Monday 10th May

Places sold out very quickly in 2010 so please get in early if you would like to take part in 2011. This year, it was a huge sucess and the wonderful course along the seafront made for an unforgettable event

RUN FOR US!

A 5k fun run to a punishing Marathon across the Sahara...and everything in between. Whatever your experience, there is a run to suit you.

The FSI Challenge 2010 - Derbyshire

The FSI are organising a challenge on Saturday 5th June 2010 to support small charities. Why not come along, with your friends and family and take part? You can either, walk or run, 4km or 10km (through Bakewell). Even pushchairs can be taken on the 4km route! After the challenge you can relax in the grounds of Thornbridge Hall, join the cheer team at the finish and enjoy a BBQ and drinks!

Entrance to the challenge is FREE, and all the money you raise through sponsorship, will come to Cecily's Fund.

If you don’t live close to Derbyshire, why not make a weekend of it? Thornbridge Hall is just 15 miles from Chatsworth House and some stunning walks in the Peak District.

To take part please email us!

PARACHUTE UMPS

Have you always wanted to do a parachute jump? Visit our Skydiving page to find out more.

THE THREE PEAKS CHALLENGE

This is a tough challenge, climbing and descending over 3,000m in 24 hours. Two trips are available in July and September 2010. This is a popular, all-inclusive challenge organised by British Military Fitness. Places go very quickly so please email helen@cecilysfund.org to register your interest. See the British Military Fitness page for more information ad costings.

COAST TO COAST CYCLE CHALLENGE

Why not get on your bike and cycle coast to coast, west to east, from the Irish Sea to the North Sea?. Around 15,000 people take on this challenge every year and now its your turn! You'll go through beautiful scenery in Cumbria, over to Penrith heading onto the Northern Pennines and finishing up on the East Coast covering a grand total of 135 miles! This event is organised by British Military Fitness but please contact us to register your interest.

UK ND OVERSEAS ADVENTURE 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 events companies to offer you a range of hiking, cycling and horse trekking challenges, in the UK and in a wide variety of overseas locations. See below for a selection of trips or email us us for the full list of options, more information and alternative dates.

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, going independently is a great way to meet like-minded people. These are 'open challenges' so your fellow participants may be supporting 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 2009-2010, you can choose from many trips including the following:

Cycle
• through Vietnam - the beautiful remote north
• around western Cuba
• in Peru, from Lake Titicaca to Machu Picchu
• from London to Paris
• from Land's End to John O'Groats

Hike
• climb up Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania

• 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
• 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

Snow/Ski/Snowboard

• Mont Blanc Summit Challenge - August 2009

Been there, done that? Think you’re fit? Already done numerous weekend treks in the UK or abroad? Then join us on the trek of a lifetime with an attempt on the summit of Mont Blanc, Europe’s highest peak, ...

• Peaks Ski & Snowboard Challenge - February 2010

Can you ski or board 24 peaks in 48 hours? Our guides will push you to your limits to cover 130kms of top-class piste in the heart of Austria – the equivalent of skiing down Everest twice!

A weekend of pure adrenaline!

What are the costs?
For each challenge, you are asked to raise a minimum amount of sponsorship - this ranges from £500 to over £3500. Included in this sum are the trip costs, which make up 40% of the sponsorship amount. Cecily's Fund receives the remaining sponsorship amount 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 £649 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, dinner parties 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 usually include flights (where applicable), accommodation, meals, guides, medical support and transport of your luggage. Details will vary depending on the challenge.

When do I need to sign up?
This depends on the challenge. For the challenging overseas trips we recommend signing up at least 6 to 9 months in advance, to allow plenty of time to train for the particular demands of the challenge and to fundraise. For some of the UK challenges you may need less time to prepare and raise funds.. but 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 the challenges we offer.

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.

Top