Marketing A Charity – Shine Night Walk Marathon Magic

by | Oct 1, 2015 | Naked Events

Why oh WHY would you do a marathon? That’s what you must be thinking. This is what I was thinking at mile 21 in the dark streets of London.

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Walking a marathon has never been a lifelong dream or something I have ever strived for. But the reason I walked 26.2 miles on Saturday night was the same reason as everyone else; to raise money for charity. Yes you can dress it all up in a tutu and some flashing fairy lights but the reality is, my very very good friend Emma is being treated for malignant melanoma and we wanted to donate as much money to Cancer Research UK as possible. This isn’t an X Factor style sob story so you don’t need to look away now, this is a story of resilience, courage and endurance.

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I know it seems like someone is asking for cash on Facebook every ten minutes but if these events didn’t exist then the lifeline of charities would run cold. It’s great to have ice bucket challenges for lots of marketing and a boost of cash but day to day the money comes from these calendar events. And it’s these events that mean my brilliant, clever and beautiful friend Emma can have pioneering treatment to beat cancer!

Here’s what happened and why you should donate…

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EMMA IS SPEEDY GONZALES

Despite having treatment, Emma (pictured with her sister Sarah) whooped my ass, finishing a clear hour ahead of me. To congratulate her – donate HERE – JUST GIVING EMMA FISHER.

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WE FACED SO MANY DRUNK PEOPLE IN LONDON!

OMG – sooooo many legless people near Kings Cross, Notting Hill and Holborn (one man sang ‘I’ve got a lovely bunch of coconuts to me and my friend Stacey). They ALL try to high five you while kind of laughing at you at the same time. It’s enough to make you go tee total.

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NICHOLAS BEARDALL

He MISSED THE RUGBY for this. Serious non? Donate to Nick Beardall.

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THERE’S NO TIME FOR SELFIES

Well, there is if you are not trying to hit a certain finish time…we still tried BUT (totes obvs) it was SO dark it was a bit pointless. Even the Houses of Parliament had the lights switched off – who knew they were into saving the electric? Oh but when the sun came up, hello sailor! Great views of the Thames at sunrise.

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MY WINGMAN

Speaking of selfies, I could not have got through this without the lovely Stacey Grant, we can talk for 26.2 miles no fricking problem! She even put up with me taking 4 million sunrise pictures and kept me fed with Percy Pigs. Donate to Just Giving Stacey Grant.

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PERCY PIGS ARE A LIFELINE

Turns out, Percy is loaded with so much sugar he can power you through a good hour at a time. Use sparingly or you will overdose on the sweet stuff and start feeling sick. Donate to Percy Pig…just kidding 😉

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EVERYTHING WILL ACHE

Oh my, 26.2 miles is a long, long way. At about mile 14, you’ll wonder if you’ll make it. Wear comfortable shoes and travel light – it’s a long way to carry your lipstick (for example – yes I carried my Chanel lipstick for 26.2 miles).

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SARAH THE DINOSAUR

Hugeeee shout out to Emma’s sister Sarah who did the whole walk with blisters and wearing a dinosaur hoodie. See, courage and endurance – I told you! Donate to Just Giving Sarah Fisher.

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MILE 20 IS NOT NEAR THE END

Whenever you hear someone in the marathon has dropped out at mile 20 and you think ‘pah such a shame, SO close to the end’ … Every mile feels like about 20 at that point.

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MUMMY FISHER

Star of the show is Emma and Sarah’s mum (pictured above) who is so positive and so caring!  She also walked 26.2 miles as if it was a walk in the park! GO Team Fisher! Donate to Just Giving Catherine Fisher.

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So there you have it – if you’re interested in donating – please visit our Just Giving pages – it means an awful lot. Also well done to Cancer Research UK, the Shine Night Walk is a 26.2 mile marathon walk around London (YIKES!!!) and the organisation was pretty impeccable.

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The pack they send you details the whole route which starts at Southwark Park and works East to West, North to South. You get a training plan (which I didn’t follow) and a branded tee (that I did wear). The start times are all staggered to alleviate the 17,000 people taking part. There are check points every three miles with snacks and refreshments. You finish at The Old Billingsgate near Tower of London where you will be handed a medal (thank Christ for that).

Shine_Night_Marathon_MarketingThanks for reading folks and here’s my Just Giving page (almost forgot that!) Thank you also to Panache for their fabulous Sports Bra and Lucas Hugh for uber leggings. Until next time x

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