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• #27
Charity Rides are they worth it? is the title. I would say no, except for the *Ian Conway Benevolent Fund
*he needs it
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• #28
Charity rides are great ...
They turn non cyclists who are 'doing it for a bit of a laugh' into potentially lifelong cyclists.
It raises the awareness of the charity and why it exists in the consciousness of the participants.
After its all over they can return to work feeling all warm and continue to contribute to the problems they are part of convinced that cycling is a dangerous activity.
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• #29
The easy rides tend to generate trivial amounts of money per cyclist and I often think they'd do better to just make that small donation themselves, quietly. This one is a much more serious effort, but consider the amount of time and effort each person will put in, not just on the ride but in training and other preparation. Now, how much more would it be worth to a charity if they just gave that time and effort directly, as volunteers?
The charity is going to get some useful publicity out of it - and that is the main benefit, as the money raised on this kind of effort is not usually that impressive once the organising costs have come out (I worked in the voluntary sector for 10 years and have seen this close up).
I generally see the participants in these rides as people who've found an excuse to tart up a fun challenge as a virtuous act.
Personally, I never sponsor. I give directly to certain causes and that's it.
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• #30
thx for post itsbruce.
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• #31
Well, take it as the cynical view of somebody who burnt out a bit in the voluntary sector.
Your mates should sound out the charity right now and get their input and advice from the start. Will save a lot of time and ensure that any publicity is a) maximised and b) the right kind.
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• #32
No idea where to put this, definitely doesn't merit a thread or an event, so bunging it here. On June 11th I'm helping to organise an 80 mile ride from Slough to the Cotswolds for a wonderful charity my mate's folks run. It's a residential place for kids (mainly from Lewisham) to get out into the countryside and do countryside stuff. All good.
The deal is basically raise £100 for the charity, do the ride, have a big party afterwards. We end up at the charity's center in the woods, there's a massive bonfire, slap-up bbq (food quality last year was off the hook!) and as much ale/cider/wine as you can drink. Last year we had an ex-Trojan Records DJ playing around the campfire!
Depending on numbers everyone either gets a bed or we'll transport tents for you and try to get someone to put them up before you arrive. £35 'fee' covers support vehicle to carry whatever you want, lunch, snacks on the ride and all food and booze at the end.
I appreciate sponsorship fatigue is a bit of a thing, and I know loads of people on here ride far further than this every week so raising money isn't straightforward - but if you were keen to come but weren't able to raise the money drop me a PM and we'll see what we can work out with the organiser. Would love to get a good crew on the road and make it a real party at the end!
PM if any interest or for more info.
This was last year's route - genuinely beautiful parts of the country! Will be tweaked this year, not going into Oxford and probably swinging south into the Cotswolds rather than coming from the NE.
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• #33
Charity riders: do not turn left here.
One hundred miles of laminated signs. Still there three weeks after the event.
*still to find a charity whose stated mission is to not exist at a given point in the future. I haven't been looking hard though.[/QUOTE]
boom!