SPONSOR ME!
Are you considering signing up for an event to raise money for a good cause? Heidi Scrimgeour finds out why now might be exactly the right time
Fancy doing a fundraising challenge? Heidi Scrimgeour finds out why now might be exactly the right time
FROM OUR COVER STAR, Giovanna Fletcher, trekking 100km to raise money for breast cancer awareness charity Coppafeel! to many of my friends committing to their first sponsored challenge this year, it seems everyone is adjusting to post-lockdown life by turning their attention to causes bigger than themselves. Whether it’s climbing a mountain or organising a cake sale, doing something for charity seems to be the thing to do.
It’s no wonder that lockdown has unearthed our altruistic side. After a tough year of social isolation, we’re itching to get out into the world and the thought of doing good and spreading cheer is a comfort. ‘If we can change things for others, we can experience change ourselves – it’s a cliche, but we can “be the change we want to see in the world”,’ says psychotherapist and mental health author Sharie Coombes. ‘Establishing
that we can make a difference to others, even when we are struggling ourselves, also helps us learn that we are worthwhile, connected and therefore not alone.’
Depending on the type of charity challenge that you do, some of the skills required can also be applied to your own problems. ‘Charity events remind us that we are resourceful and resilient,’ adds Coombes. ‘Physically or emotionally challenging ourselves creates endorphins, which lift mood and sustain effort, adding to our self-worth, self-esteem and self-confidence.’
For many, lockdown meant reconsidering disrupted careers and time to ponder what gives us purpose. But, alongside the urge to shake things up and do something meaningful with our lives, many of us felt more distressed than before. ‘When we feel anxious, our attention goes inwards,’ explains psychotherapist Olivia James. ‘We can get self-absorbed and isolated and our minds can go into a spiral of worry. In contrast, getting involved with a charity focuses our attention outwards, encouraging us to dwell on other people’s needs.’
If anxious feelings linger after lockdown, a sponsored event could be the perfect antidote. Doing something that benefits someone else can also bring a sense of momentum if you feel stuck. ‘It’s movement in a different direction – you get to see the bigger picture,’ says James. ‘Helping others can bring balance and perspective, giving us a little holiday from ourselves. There are definite mental health benefits from volunteering, and the idea of service appears in all the major world religions.’
Connecting meaningfully with others also activates the vagus nerve, prompting a nervous system response that has a soothing effect, making us feel calm and safe.
But signing up for a sponsored event isn’t just about shifting focus away from yourself. My first half-marathon was a pretty selfish act. I had two young sons and a 10-month-old daughter, so the realisation that my training schedule would buy me some serious me time made the idea compelling. An hour soaking in the bath to listen to a podcast? No chance! But don my running shoes and take my post-baby self for a training run and no one argued – in fact, they thought I was a hero.
A physical charitable endeavour can also give you motivation that you
“You get to see the bigger picture… Helping others can bring balance and perspective, giving us a little holiday from ourselves”
might otherwise battle to find. If you want to exercise, but can’t seem to commit to a schedule or keep making excuses to put it off, the accountability that comes from doing it for charity can be a driving factor. It’s always tough forcing myself out for a run, but it was tougher still to wriggle out of it when my perseverance meant raising money for a children’s charity. As my training runs got longer and more gruelling, reflecting on those affected by the charity I was supporting kept me going when I felt like giving up.
If you choose to fundraise for charity, it’s common to have a personal connection with the organisation, and the benefits are even more significant. Feeling helpless in the face of a loved one dealing with an illness or health condition is disempowering, but channelling that emotion into doing something to raise money for a related charity feels like making a difference.
Doing something philanthropic can also be a helpful way to deal with grief. This is pertinent if you lost someone during the pandemic, whether through Covid or otherwise, says Coombes: ‘Widening your horizons helps with loss. It’s good to grieve and acknowledge your loss and not push through the emotions because that can lead to longer term melancholia – however, it’s beneficial to maintain a sense of life beyond loss. Your challenge could honour the memory of your loved one as a celebration of everything that they meant to you.’
Charities are already starting to see a surge in interest. ‘We’ve had a spike in bookings as restrictions start to lift and people feel more comfortable about getting back out there and taking part in group events,’ says Calum Frampton of Dream Challenges, which hosts charity events.
‘We’re restarting British events this month, such as the Hadrian’s Wall trek, which is hugely popular, and we’re also getting lots of interest in bucket-list events for the end of the year, such as Kilimanjaro or Everest Base Camp. People are keen to travel again, but also to make a difference for those around them.’
Whether you forge a meaningful, long-term connection with a particular charity or simply discover what you’re made of in terms of determination and strength, deciding to undertake a challenge or activity for charity can be a life-changing experience. It’s been several years since my half-marathon but, every year, I toy with the idea of doing it again. Once you know that you’ve got it in you to achieve something significant with a purpose that goes beyond yourself, it’s difficult to stop there. In fact, I think now might be the moment to get my running shoes out from under the bed.
coppafeel.org; drsharie.com; harleystreetcoach.com; dream-challenges.com
“It’s tough forcing myself to run, but tougher still to wriggle out of it when my perseverance meant raising money for a children’s charity”