Set yourself a fundraising target and get motivated:

• Ask friends, family and work colleagues to sponsor you, don’t be afraid to ask as many people like to support charities.
• Don’t leave it until the last minute.
• Do get in touch with Overgate Hospice on 01422 387121 if you need any help raising money, they can even provide you with a fundraising guide.
• If you are planning to hold a fundraising event ask your local pub, youth club or church to help you will be surprised how many fundraising ideas people have.

There are many different fundraising activities you can organise, some of the most popular are:

• Organise a dress down day at work or school
• Organise a pub quiz
• 'Anyone for a song' hold a karaoke evening
• Hold a coffee morning
• Organise a football tournament
• Sell your unwanted clothes, by organising a jumble sale or attended a car boot sale
• Call the fundraising team on 01422 387121 for an A - Z of fundraising ideas

There are a few ways you can collect sponsor money for Overgate Hospice;

• Overgate Hospice can provide you with a sponsor form and after your run you can collect the money in cash or cheque and bring it to the Hospice or via the post (cheques only). Any money collected and handed in this way please make sure you have your name and address attached to it.
• Again collect money using a sponsor form and you can pay the money directly into our bank account; Yorkshire Bank, Account No: 34128849 Sort Code: 05-04-24
• Alternatively you can set up a fundraising account by clicking on one of the links at the bottom on the page. Both Virgin Money and Just Giving allow you to set up a page dedicated to your fundraising and you can even include pictures. Any money donated through these pages will be sent directly to Overgate Hospice, they even claim gift aid on our behalf.

Many companies encourage their employees to fundraise for charity by offering to match the amount raised by the individual. For example if you raise £50 sponsor money for Overgate Hospice many companies will give another £50 to the charity. Check with your employer to see if they offer this scheme. Please let us know if you are going to match fund your donations and we can keep an eye out for it.

Click on one of the links below to set up a fundraising page.

www.justgiving.com          www.virginmoneygiving.com

Here are a few training hints and tips from us here at Overgate Hospice please remember these are only a guide and you may find your own way of training and running is better.

• Run facing traffic and wear high visibility clothing.
• If it is warm remember to wear sunscreen and a hat to stop getting sunburnt or sunstroke.
• Make sure you warm up and cool down before and after running.
• Don’t forget to replace the fluid you will have lost whilst running by drinking plenty of water.
• If you are running in winter remember the nights draw in quicker tell someone where you will be running and what time you think you will be finished.

• Keep a training diary.
• Find a committed running partner it’s a lot harder to skip training when you have someone else depending on you.
• If you can’t find time to train why not take your running kit to work and run home.
• Build up to your goal distance slowly to avoid injury.
• Create incentives to meet your running goals, keeping a running blog may help you do this
• Don’t do the same run everyday; vary your training routes to prevent boredom. 

•  - Wearing the correct running shoes is essential so go along to your local sports shop and speak to the assistant about the run you will be taking part in. They will be able to advise you on the best footwear.
• - Remember to wear thin layers which you can remove if you become too warm.

• Get there early to familiarise yourself with the surroundings remember on race day it will be busy and you do not want to miss your start time.
• Eat no later than an hour before you start to avoid cramp.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Check the weather forecast and dress appropriately.
• Bring support, tell your friends and family you are running and ask them to come along to the race to cheer you on. (Remember Overgate Hospice can provide them with a cheering kit)

Most of all: Enjoy it and have fun! Running shouldn’t be a chore, just training and signing up to run for Overgate Hospice is an achievement, so be proud at how well you are doing.