+++Fundraising Focus (page two of two)


++Action man

Nottingham PhD student Dharan Kirupanantham is undertaking not one but two fundraising challenges for charity this summer.

“I’m never one to do things by half, so when I was faced with the opportunity of running the London marathon or climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for two equally great causes, there was only ever going to be one outcome – do both! The London Marathon was always something I wanted to do, so it was just a case of picking the right charity.

Whilst working in a primary school last summer I was lucky enough to meet a remarkable teaching assistant who was responsible for a number of children with varying disabilities. She’d then go home to take care of her daughter, who was disabled herself. Her idea of a break resembled a Kit Kat ad! Within minutes of reading of the work Vitalise do, I was on the phone securing my place on the team.

I’m an enthusiastic footballer and generally try to do as much sport as possible so I should be able to cope, or so I keep telling myself! It has been a lot tougher than I thought and the weather certainly hasn’t helped. Saying that, I’ll be well trained if we have snow come April! Two months after I complete the marathon I’ll be setting off on an expedition to climb Mount Kilimanjaro for Childreach International, another amazing charity that helps alleviate child poverty in some of the poorest countries in the world.

It’ll be a massive challenge but it’ll all be worthwhile if I can hit my fundraising targets. The fundraising itself is often tougher then the training but I think the key has been getting used to disappointments or rejection. Days can be wasted on ideas that reap no reward but maintaining the belief that perseverance will pay dividends is the only way both charities will get the money they truly deserve.”

+Support Dharan
Support Dharan’s Marathon for Vitalise at www.justgiving.com/dharan and his Kilimanjaro trek at www.justgiving.com/dharanclimbskili


++Dyno

Dyno has adopted Vitalise as its Charity of the Year. The well-known plumbing, drainage and security company, based in Surrey, is currently planning a busy programme of volunteer placements and fundraising activities for the coming year. To kick things off, staff from Dyno will be volunteering at Vitalise Netley Waterside House in May. Helen Bainbridge, Vitalise’s Corporate Development Executive, said: “We are delighted to be Dyno’s Charity of the Year. We’re looking forward to an exciting year of activities, with lots of opportunities for Dyno staff to get involved.”