Two days, 73 miles cycled, and a fundraising total of £1,832 for Winston’s Wish as supporter Sam, 13, from North Somerset took on the Isle of Wight with his dad, Brendan, and Uncle Spencer in memory of his cousin, Jake.

To mark the ten years since his cousin passed, Sam wanted to do something special in a place that held memories for him. He decided on the Isle of Wight as his grandparents had taken him and his cousin there on holidays.

Sam is no stranger to sponsored cycles, and he set himself the mammoth task of cycling the island, doing a total of 73 miles in two days.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Sam described his experience and said, “The weather was really bad on the first day. My uncle got a puncture and then my dad’s wheel exploded, but the second day was nice and sunny, and luckily no punctures!”

This isn’t the first fundraising challenge Sam, and his family have undertaken, every year his mum, Sarah, organises a big event called Jake’s Wish, but Sam decided for the ten-year anniversary he would take lead on the fundraising with the help of his mum.

Talking about his fundraising experience, Sam said, “My mum supported me on the fundraising, she set up a Facebook event page and took sponsor forms to work with her. But I did get sponsored by my PE teacher, which was really kind.”

Having completed his Isle of Wight challenge, Sam wanted to share his advice for taking on a similar challenge for Winston’s Wish…

• Do something you know you will enjoy and can do
• Ask your schools and sports clubs to support you
• Ask your parents to set up a Facebook event to help with fundraising
• Let people know your progress so they can see how you’re getting on

Fundraise for Winston’s Wish

Feel inspired by Sam’s cycling challenge? Why not join #TeamWinston and take on a fundraising challenge in support of bereaved children and young people.

Run, walk, cycle, swim or even design your own fundraiser and help raise vital funds that help ensure no child grieves alone.

The post Cycling the Isle of Wight – Sam’s Fundraising Story appeared first on Winston's Wish Events.

Ambassador Ghislaine will be taking part in Hyde Park’s Swim Serpentine this September. A keen swimmer, 26-year-old Ghislaine will be raising funds for Winston’s Wish when she completes a one-mile swim in one of London’s most famous parks.

Ghislaine explains what inspired her to combine her love for swimming with raising funds for Winston’s Wish. She says, “My dad died in a car accident when I was just a week old. I don’t remember him and struggled a great deal with my grief growing up. I never received any formal support, so in hearing about Winston’s Wish I wanted to get involved to help other young people like me.

“I have now seen the amazing impact that Winston’s Wish has on young people first-hand and can honestly say that I wish I had heard about them sooner. Even just with me being involved with other areas of the organisation, it has helped me to grow and learn about my grief and within myself – something I didn’t expect to still be doing at the age of 26.”

Estimates suggest that more than 100 young people are bereaved of a parent each day and that figure doesn’t equate the children and young adults who are coping with the death of a sibling, relative, friend or another significant individual.

Ghislaine is a keen swimmer and has found a passion for the activity throughout her grief. She comments, “I grew up swimming and always loved water sports. It is also a personal connection to my dad, as he swam when he was growing up too.

“I like to do a charity challenge every year, but this is the first physical one I have done. I wanted to push myself to get back into swimming, which is one of the reasons I chose to do this challenge.

“After stepping away from the pool for quite a few years, I’m definitely not what I used to be! My main focus within my training is to build up my stamina so that I can swim with good endurance!

Want to take part in your own challenge?

Feel inspired by Ghislaine’s Swim Serpentine event? Then head over to our official events page and choose a challenge that suits you. Whether that be swimming, walking, running or cycling, we’ve got you covered!

The post Ambassador Ghislaine, “When I was in the water, I forgot that I was the girl without a dad” appeared first on Winston's Wish Events.

Jack Plumridge ran a 100km Ultra Marathon around his hometown of Liphook in mid-August to support Winston’s Wish and grieving children, as well as holding a family fun day for local residents. He raised in excess of £7,200 (a phenomenal amount which is to be split between Winston’s Wish and Dreams Come True). We asked him how he approached his fundraising challenge and what advice he’d give to others thinking about signing up for a charity run.

Tell us about your run for Winston’s Wish

On 13th August, we ran 100km in 14hrs in and around Liphook on the hottest day of the year. Alongside this, we also ran a family fun day with lots of local businesses getting involved.

Why did you choose to support Winston’s Wish?

We have a member at AfterBurn Fitness (my personal training business) who was sadly affected by a sudden death in the family. Winston’s Wish has massively helped her two young children along the bereavement process.

How did you raise such an incredible amount?

It was a combination of donations for the run itself and the family fun day which included a raffle, sales from food, t-shirts and kids’ activities including a penalty shootout.

How was training? Did you follow a plan and what was the most difficult part?

It was incredible to see so many members of the local community come out to cheer me on. The least enjoyable moment was the feeling of complete fatigue and exhaustion at 60-80km in 35-degree heat.

Do you have any advice for anyone else thinking of taking on a run or challenge for Winston’s Wish?

Set yourself a big challenge, something that’s going to motivate and inspire you as well as others. Set a strict training regime and make sure you stick to it; you’ll thank yourself for it when you’re running out of energy on the day. Enjoy it… you’re helping an incredible charity.

Huge thanks to Jack for his hard work and savvy fundraising. If you’re thinking of signing up to take on a challenge to support Winston’s Wish, let us know so we can support you along the way.

The post An Ultra Marathon on the hottest day of the year is no match for Jack! appeared first on Winston's Wish Events.