Challenge events supremo

Name: Carley Lambourne
Events: Wingwalk, Oxford Half Marathon, Snowdon Sunrise trek
Venue: Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Snowdon
Amount raised: In excess of her sponsorship targets

Why did you choose to support Katharine House Hospice with your fundraising? 

I work for Katharine House Hospice and it’s my job to get people/supporters to sign up to challenges to raise money for the hospice. So a few times now, I have put my money where my mouth is and have taken on a few challenges and have loved them all! 

Tell us a bit about your event or activity

Where to start! I wingwalked and the next year ran the Oxford Half Marathon, which as a non-runner has been my biggest challenge and achievement to date. I just remember at mile 10, we were struggling and just coming back into the city when a brass band started playing the Rocky theme song! It just lifted us so much we were bouncing with our fists in the air (well, I was).

Last year, I climbed Snowdon in the dark to get to the top for the sunrise with 35 others. For Snowdon, I even managed to persuade a group of friends to do it with me as it was on my birthday weekend. Thankfully, they are all still talking to me and loved the challenge.

This year, I’m taking on the London to Paris cycle ride in September!

I have always raised over my sponsorship target mainly because I am so competitive with myself and others. Who doesn’t love a bit of healthy competition?!

“The Oxford half Marathon was just an incredible experience. Three of us did it together and the crowds and support was amazing. They really kept us going. Hannah, my colleague, and I both say it was like magic, and we are still buzzing one year on when we look back and both say WE DID THAT! So proud!” 

What tips would you pass onto other fundraisers? What worked well for you? 

I always say getting your JustGiving page set up nice and early helps. I then push it at any opportunity and share it on my social media pages regularly.

I also like to play on the hardship of undertaking a challenge. For example, when I went out running in the rain I would post a picture of me out training on my JustGiving page and on my social media so that people would feel sorry for me and want to support me more!

I have also found that everyone likes cake and to give my fundraising a boost I have also organised a few cake sales at work and at my local sports and social club. 

Is there anything else you would like to tell us? 

I could talk forever about challenges and how good it is for you to push yourself outside of your comfort zone. So, just sign up to one – you won’t regret it! 

Let us help you to help us

If you’ve been inspired by Carley and think you would like to join one of our challenge events, then take a look at our events calender. We have also created a set of website pages to help you with:

• ideas for raising money to meet your sponsorship target
• promotion
• fundraising
• legal niceties
• safely managing your donations.