Angela Carter
Angela Carter has been doing some amazing work for the Children’s Trust Charity. Already this year she has trekked the Panama Jungle and run the London marathon as well as two 10km races. So to top off her year she has made the decision to run two half marathons (Run to the Beat and The Royal Half Parks) in just one week!
We were very pleased to chat to her and see how she has been preparing for her challenges and how she has managed to raise such an amazing amount of money for charity.
Hi Angela, can you tell us a bit about The Children’s Trust and why you’ve been inspired to support them for ten years?
The Children’s Trust is a national charity which aims to make life better for children with profound
disabilities and complex health needs. It really is an incredibly inspirational charity, and I am so proud to have worked for the charity for ten years. I am the Corporate Relations Manager and each year I have to raise £600,000, so if you know of any companies wanting to give money please let us know!
How have you been training for all your races and marathons?
The key is to follow a training program; writing everything down from a ten minute swim to a 60 minute jog so you can see your progress; joining a forum - www.realbuzz.co.uk - to get inspiration and tips. Most importantly run for a charity that means a lot to you and that will provide you with lots of advice and support. I try to run twice a week and go the gym once and swim once. But it is challenging as I work part time, have a seven year old son and have a condition called Lupus. So the key is juggling, multitasking and of course stretching!
What has been the most challenging fundraising event you have been involved in so far? And what motivates you to keep going if you hit a low?
Earlier this year I took part in our Trekking the Panama Jungle Expedition - it was one of the best experiences of my life, but one of the hardest. It might sound cliché but when it was hard I did think of all the children at the Trust and the challenges they have to overcome every day. I really do think that everyone should do one trek in their lifetime – it’s such an incredible experience - we have one in Vietnam and Himalayas in 2010, or even cycle across Cuba in 2011.
How do you let people know about the events you are taking part in to raise money for The Children’s Trust?
Via our website www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk, and also through a fun Facebook site, as well as on Twitter. We try to be fun and different, as there are so many great charities out there!
What aspects of JustGiving have been the most helpful to you with your fundraising?
JustGiving is fantastic and such an incredibly easy way of asking people to donate money when you are taking part in a fundraising event. It’s so much easier than going around with a sponsorship form! I love the new look and the % gage telling you how much you have raised - I am 93% there but that last 7% will be the hard bit, like dieting!
How is the fundraising going?
Well I have raised £7,400 this year but still need to raise £8,000 - I am very proud of this. If anyone fancies donating £2 it would be wonderful.
Have you got any tips to share with other JustGivers?
Lots of small events such as clothes swapping parties, telling everyone about your JustGiving page - adding the email address to your footer is good, as well as posts on Facebook and twittering about it! Asking people just for £2 is also good and most people can spare that. Don’t feel shy about asking be proud to be raising money for a great char
ity.
How will you celebrate when you complete all your challenges for this year?
I am planning to go to Seville with three girlfriends afterwards, but the best thing will be knowing I have raised £8,000 for one of the best children’s charities in the UK and that I have helped children like Alby get back on his feet.
Thanks so much for chatting with us Angela. We wish you all the best with reaching your 100% fundraising target and for the two half marathons in September. Do let us know how you get on!
