FEATURE I Fundraising
Getting active for the Army Community and Events Fundraising Manager Angela Carlucci (THQ) introduces three people who have taken on personal challenges to raise funds
Robin at the gym before lockdown JASON RODWELL 200 MILES ON A BIKE JASON is doing a 200-mile cycle ride from his home in Doncaster to Wolverhampton and back (a few days later), aiming to raise £400 for The Salvation Army in memory of his late girlfriend, Danielle Kenehan, who died in 2018. The first leg of the ride will be on 4 August, which would have been her 30th birthday. ‘The Salvation Army in Bradford did so much to support Danielle and me in our times of need,’ says Jason. ‘The centres on St Margaret’s Avenue [Bradford Holmewood Corps] and Leeds Road [The Orchard Lifehouse] provided food, advice, time and effort when it seemed like there was no one else. ‘I went through a period of homelessness, and got to know a few of the Army’s workers who walked the streets looking for people in need to try and better their situation. They didn’t judge, they didn’t force their religious values down my throat in exchange for help. Put simply, I wouldn’t be alive if The Salvation Army didn’t exist, and Danielle’s life would have been cut a lot shorter than it was. ‘Workers at the centre closest to where we lived became personally invested in our story. After she passed away, they worked with my family to make sure I didn’t go the same way. I had no income, so all the workers who knew her took me to her funeral and supported me throughout. ‘I can’t think of a more deserving charity to fundraise for or a better way to commemorate Danielle’s birthday.’
ROBIN LANCEFIELD ROWING THE LOIRE ROBIN began his challenge of rowing the equivalent length of the River Loire on a rowing machine at home on 17 April. He aims to finish on Bastille Day, 14 July. This is the third rowing machine challenge Robin has undertaken for The Salvation Army. In 2015 he rowed 25 half marathons (a total of 328 miles) and in 2017 he rowed the equivalent distance of Land’s End to John o’ Groats (603 miles as the crow flies). Since 2015 he has raised more than £2,500 for the Army. Robin says: ‘No holidays to France this year so why not go on a virtual holiday while raising money for The Salvation Army’s coronavirus fund? To motivate myself I decided to row from the source of the Loire to its mouth in Nantes. The Loire is 629 miles long and is France’s longest river. Along the way I shall post pictures and facts about where I end up each day.’ O Follow Robin’s progress at indoorrowingchallenges.blogspot.com JAN SHAW 10,000 STEPS A DAY JAN and Philip Shaw first came into contact with The Salvation Army when their daughter was born at the Mount Cross Maternity Home in Leeds. Jan says: ‘The major attending to me was a very tough lady and the captain was a beautiful, gentle lady. It was a much-needed combination at the birth and I’ve had a soft spot for The Salvation Army ever since.’ Jan, who recently turned 79, started volunteering in the Army’s charity shop in Thirsk last year. ‘The charity shop workers are lovely people,’ she says. ‘I appreciate what they do and I believe they do a very important job in Thirsk. I also love being a part of my community. I get a lot of satisfaction from helping out.’ Unfortunately, the charity shops are closed during the coronavirus lockdown, so Jan – and her 13-year-old rescue dog, Willow – walked 10,000 steps a day during May to raise vital funds for the Army in Thirsk. She has raised more than £1,200 through Thirsk’s JustGiving page. ‘I’m the sort of person who needs a challenge,’ Jan says. ‘I need to have a purpose in life.’ O Is
there a challenge you would like to take on for The Salvation Army? Go to salvationarmy.org.uk/tell-us-about-your-event O Not sure how to fundraise virtually? Go to salvationarmy.org.uk/virtual-fundraising O For help with setting up a JustGiving page, email the Community and Events Fundraising team at challenge@salvationarmy.org.uk or call 020 7367 4819 Salvationist 6 June 2020
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