Don't normally do charity rides/walks

[Cush]

I would normally run (hobble) a mile at the very hint of a charity walk or ride, mainly because most are far to expensive to enter and encourage those that should not be on them to (a) Go out and buy a load of unnecessary and expensive kit that will never be used again (2) Blackmail people into giving more than they want / can afford. However I am going to do the BHF ride from Manchester to Blackpool at the end of the month. It is a reasonable entry fee and no minimum sponsorship requirement and the kit I have had to buy in I need anyway (new front light)
I have sussed up the bit between Preston and Blackpool and hope I can get out on the run between Manchester and Preston in the next two weeks. I know some of this forum did it last year but how many are doing it this year? and how far is it? I have heard both 50 and 60 miles quoted.

 

[vernon]

I gave up on charity rides after my first one. I obtained a lot of sponsors in a day and a half. It took me a month and a half to collect the sponsor money from them. The collecting of the money was far more arduous than doing the ride.

 

[Arjimlad]

I always used justgiving.com or virginmoneygiving.com to collect the sponsorship.. makes it effortless as the sponsors simply pay online. No blackmail involved!

 

[vernon]

I always used justgiving.com or virginmoneygiving.com to collect the sponsorship.. makes it effortless as the sponsors simply pay online. No blackmail involved!

Try extracting money from Tykes online. It takes baseball bats, growls, body checks and strangle holds just to get them to admit that they had sponsored you. A whole new level of violence has to used to extract the money from them.

 

[Lullabelle]

I gave up on charity rides after my first one. I obtained a lot of sponsors in a day and a half. It took me a month and a half to collect the sponsor money from them. The collecting of the money was far more arduous than doing the ride.

We have done a few rides/walks for various good causes and even though folks know you are doing it, even congratulate you afterwards, they still find it hard to find a pound or 2 that they promised, when we sponsor we put the money to 1 side so that we know not to spend it.

 

[on the road]

I stopped asking people for money because it was starting to get a bit repetitive and I could sense they were getting annoyed, they would usually see me coming and would disappear or have their excuses ready. Now when I do charity rides I just pay the administration fee and leave it at that.

 

[ASC1951]

I don't see the justification in anyone badgering people for money to support their chosen causes, especially when it is linked to an event which they enjoy doing anyway.
I have standing orders to a couple of charities that I support and I make occasional gifts to others. If that's not enough, I need to do more myself, not twist other people's arms to pay it for me.

 

[Cush]

I don't see the justification in anyone badgering people for money to support their chosen causes, especially when it is linked to an event which they enjoy doing anyway.
If that's not enough, I need to do more myself, not twist other people's arms to pay it for me.

Basically that is what I think as well and why I would not normally touch charity events with a barge pole. The only people I will touching are my near neighbors, who know me well enough to appreciate that this is a "one off"

 

[Saluki]

I have a cycletta coming up and I will ask my Church if anyone feels that they can support me. I only ask once a year and our Pastor is happy with that as Macmillan is a charity that has helped people that many of our congregation know. I wouldn't ask for sponsorship for Greyhound charities from them, I ask my Greyhound forum buddies then. I more often just ride events and maybe pop a fiver in the charity tin myself.

I am about to sponsor one of my customers who is doing the Great North Run next week so we swap sponsorships, which is nice.

 

[PaulB]

I don't see the justification in anyone badgering people for money to support their chosen causes, especially when it is linked to an event which they enjoy doing anyway.
I have standing orders to a couple of charities that I support and I make occasional gifts to others. If that's not enough, I need to do more myself, not twist other people's arms to pay it for me.

The son of a friend of mine is badgering me for money because he rode 100 kilometres for what he assumes was a charity fund-raiser. It wasn't, all the entry fee went in the organiser's pocket. But I can just tell he's not a sportsman or why does he link an event with money? I think psychologically, he thinks it's work and work needs financial compensation. Do it for the pleasure of doing it or the achievement you'll feel, don't let money become a factor.