“When my friend Erin passed away, her family chose to support Tŷ Hafan, a cause close to their hearts. I really wanted to help and then the idea came to me to do a running challenge, in Erin’s Memory.
Committing to run 105 miles in May was daunting as at the time I wasn’t a runner or even particularly sporty! It was a real challenge for me, however, the motivation to remember Erin and support a local Welsh charity spurred me on.
I started training and I was surprised when I actually found it really enjoyable! It was great for my mental wellbeing; I started going to the gym and swimming too and I even did some of the runs with my daughter in her pushchair!
I got some local businesses involved by asking them to put collection boxes on their counters. They were happy to help, and it was such a simple way to bring in more donations and get the word out. I was supported and encouraged by Tŷ Hafan all the way, they supplied me with fundraising materials, such as banners, balloons and a running vest, I still have the banner! I’m proud to say I raised almost double my initial target, I was so happy with that!
Inspired by the challenge, I became a Tŷ Hafan appeal champion in 2022, helping to spread the word and encourage donations as part of the When Your World Stops Appeal. The appeal raised an incredible £344,649 and it feels great to have been a be part of that!
If someone is thinking of doing a challenge in memory, to make a sad situation better, I’d say go for it! The support from Tŷ Hafan is excellent, and it’s a meaningful way to make a positive impact during a tough time.”
There are many ways of fundraising in memory, from challenges like Chris’s to setting up a tribute fund. If you would like to find out more about fundraising in memory of a loved one, please call our friendly Supporter Care Team on 02920 532255 or email supportercare@tyhafan.org to find out how we can support you every step of the way.