Get Involved - Fundraising Events Autumn 2014

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Our Superhero Fundraisers!

Welcome Thank you for asking for more information about fundraising for Autism West Midlands! We hope that this pack can get you started and help guide you through the exciting times ahead. Join us as a volunteer fundraiser and showcase your talents or take on an adventure to help improve the lives of those with autism. This may be your first event or you may be an experienced fundraiser, either way we are thrilled to have you on board!

Receiving a diagnosis of autism, at any age, is often just one step in a long and challenging journey. Autism West Midlands is here to support anyone who needs a helping hand along the way, a lifeline when in crisis or just a friendly ear to listen and understand.

You can play an important part in helping us to accomplish this. The funds you raise will enable us to support those with autism and their families at every stage of their journey, from getting a diagnosis to finding tools and strategies to lead a fulfilling and rewarding life.

Autism is challenging and rewarding every day. Why not take on a challenge and reap your own rewards?

Good luck!

Hannah Hannah Nolan Fundraising Manager Autism West Midlands

Support There are endless weird and wacky fundraising ideas out there for you to choose from, and whatever you decide to take on as your challenge, the Fundraising Team at Autism West Midlands are here to support you.

Once you have decided on your challenge, we can help you with: •• Fundraising materials: Buckets, collection tins, t-shirts, banners, sponsorship forms and much more •• Marketing materials: press releases, posters, logos, and more!

Already decided on your next event?

Please contact us for a registration form or complete your details on our website and request a call back: www.autismwestmidlands.org.uk/getinvolved

Questions for the team? Get in touch Email: fundraising@autismwestmidlands.org.uk Call: 0121 450 7582 Write to us: Fundraising Team, Autism West Midlands Regent Court George Road Birmingham B15 1NU

Running Are you a runner or would you like to be?

There lots of local events organised where you can choose a charity of your choice. Think Great Birmingham Run to the Coventry 5K, the Great Midlands Fun Run to the New York Marathon – whatever the distance, choose your challenge and join the team today and we can support your fundraising.

Please get in touch with us at fundraising@autismwestmidlands.org.uk

19th October 2014: Great Birmingham Run 2014 is set to be our biggest team yet at Birmingham’s most popular running event. Joining the team will give you access to fantastic fundraising support, materials and a free running vest for race day.

Mini marathon team Join our mini or junior teams for 3-15 year olds to get the whole family involved!

Email fundraising@autismwestmidlands.org.uk to find out more.

UK Challenges Fright Hike: 1st November 2014 An exciting 30km challenging trek, taking place in the spookiest of wooded locations. For Halloween 2014 you can choose between hiking through The Forest Of Dean or Sherwood Forest.

It’s going to be a SCREAM of a challenge!

Designed for both individuals and teams, hundreds of people from across the UK will come together to take part in this amazing challenge and to enjoy this spooky time of year. The Fright Hike challenge is to complete the course within six hours, if you dare…It’s £35 to register and we ask you to raise a minimum of £140, or pay the event balance yourself (£39) and raise as much as you can 1 day challenge

Coast to Coast: 23rd April 2015 - 26th April 2015 The aim of this challenge is as simple as its name suggests- to conquer the breadth of Britain by bike! Starting with our rear wheels in the Irish Sea in the town of Whitehaven, our challenge encompasses some of the best scenery Britain has to offer!

From the stunning mountains of the Lake District to the beautiful open moors of the Northern Pennines, our UK Coast to Coast cycle will leave you wanting more. It’s £99 to register and a minimum sponsorship of £790 4 day challenge

Trekfest Taking on Trekfest is no mean feat, but the challenge is simple: every trekker aims to complete the 54 mile route within 24 hours; the 27/29 mile route within 12 hours or the 13 mile route within 6 hours. Choose your location and register today. Places are filling fast.

The Beacons: 6th and 7th June 2015 The Peaks: 5th and 6th September 2015 For your event brochure visit www.trekfest.org.uk or email fundraising@autismwestmidlands.org.uk

Skydive Adrenaline junkie?

2nd April 2015 Celebrate World Autism Awareness day in style by taking to the skies in our group skydiving day. If you raise ÂŁ395 the cost of your jump is covered. To find out more email fundraising@autismwestmidlands.org.uk To jump on another day, just email fundraising@autismwestmidlands.org.uk or call the team on 0121 450 7582.

Overseas Challenges Once in a lifetime challenges are a fantastic way to raise money for families in the West Midlands.

There are lots more challenges available too, visit Global Adventure Challenges at www.globaladventurechallenges.com for more inspiration.

Sahara Desert Trek: 19 February – 24 February 2015 Your trekking challenge is to hike through this ever-changing landscape and climb to the top of the Chigaga Dunes to witness the desert sunrise. The days will be hot and the trekking will be tough, but the rewards of conquering this desert with the High Atlas Mountains as our backdrop will be worth it! This event is perfect for those with little time to take away from the UK – so join the team as you conquer the mighty dunes of the Sahara!

Himilaya Trek : 23rd April 2015 - 2nd May 2015 The highlight of this spectacular trek will be to summit Poon Hill at 3,210m – a majestic peak which offers trekkers an unobstructed view of the highest peaks in the surrounding area – Annapurna South, Nilgiri South and many, many more!

Our trail takes you through charming Nepalese villages where we will experience the true culture of the mountain people of Nepal first hand. A truly stunning trek and one of the best fundraising events around.

To find out more about this magical challenge contact the fundraising team on fundraising@autismwestmidlands.org.uk

London to Paris: 22nd July 2015 - 26th July 2015 Starting in London, our 300 mile, 4 day route takes you through glorious English countryside, to the ferry from Dover to Calais. Once ‘French side’, you push on cycling along quiet French country lanes, through traditional market towns with views of the rolling green hills of northern France.

Get ready for a fantastic charity bike ride – the tarmac in France is superb, and cycling is the nation’s favourite sport so don’t be surprised when the locals make way for you and cheer you on!

Before booking your next adventure get in touch with the team so we can discuss the whole challenge process with you. Please email fundraising@autismwestmidlands.org.uk or call 0121 450 7582 to find out more.

££££ Online fundraising Set up an online giving page so people can donate at the click of a button. It’s really simple and saves you chasing individuals for cash after your event. Take a look at www.justgiving.com or uk.virginmoneygiving.com for more details.

Sponsor forms Sponsorship forms are available via email or post, email us at fundraising@autismwestmidlands.org.uk and we’ll send them right away.

Completed sponsorship forms should be returned along with a cheque (made payable to Autism West Midlands) for the total amount raised to: Fundraising Team Autism West Midlands Regent Court George Road Birmingham B15 1NU

Gift Aid Gift Aid is a really easy way to make your funds go 25% further, for free! For us to claim gift aid back from the government make sure all donors who are UK tax payers complete their full names and addresses, including postcodes, when they donate as well as ticking the gift aid box.

Other ways to get involved Silly Sock Day During April we celebrate World Autism Awareness day by pulling on our silly socks and terrible tights. To register for your Silly Sock Day fundraising pack email the team at fundraising@autismwestmidlands.org.uk

Corporate If you would like to fundraise for us at work, or have any charity of the year opportunities we would love to hear from you, please email fundraising@autismwestmidlands.org.uk

Organise your own If trekking through the Sahara or running a marathon doesn’t float your boat we would love you to organise your own event for us. We have loads of ideas of how you can get started, if you would like to speak to someone about your ideas contact us on 0121 450 7582

Volunteering If volunteering is your thing then we have some fantastic opportunities for you to get stuck into.

Get in touch with the fundraising team to find out what is happening in your local area.

Email fundraising@autismwestmidlands.org.uk or visit www.autismwestmidlands.org.uk/volunteer to register your interest.

Thank you Thank you for your interest in our events.

If you haven’t seen anything that will tempt you here then take a look online at other available challenges or get in touch for a chat. There are so many wonderful ways you can support us and we just couldn’t fit them all in so please pick your own challenge and tell us what you are planning!

Thank you for supporting us

From the team at Autism West Midlands

Keep in touch Autism West Midlands Regent Court George Road Birmingham B15 1NU Telephone: 0121 450 7582 Email: fundraising@autismwestmidlands.org.uk

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Registered Charity Number 517077 Registered Company Number 1953344 (England & Wales)

www.autismwestmidlands.org.uk All information correct at date of publication: September 2014