Make 2012 the year when you support Thrive
If you want fundraise for Thrive we’d love to hear from you – tell us about your plans and we can provide advice and fundraising and promotional materials to help you.
Organise a garden party, a disco, a ceiligh, a pub quiz, a coffee morning, a jumble sale, a wheelbarrow race, a golf tournament, a football match, a music event, a picnic...anything you like.
Call us on 0118 9885688 or email fundraising@thrive.org.uk
Adam Panter is running the 2012 Virgin London Marathon for Thrive
Adam, from Hertfordshire, was one of many who responded to our plea in a recent e-newsletter for a runner to take part in the world’s greatest marathon! Read all about him and his fundraising efforts here.
Will Scott is celebrating his 65th Birthday
....and he's asking his friends and relations not to buy him a gift but to make a donation to Thrive instead. To donate online just go to Will Scott. Thank you Will - and a Very Happy Birthday from everyone at Thrive.
Reading Half Marathon - April 2012
ONLINE ENTRY IS OPEN - time to join the Thrive team this is the closest big running event to our Trunkwell Garden. Some of us from Thrive HQ have decided to enter and run for Thrive next year. If you want to join the Thrive team for the event and help us raise money just get in touch. We’ll give you all the encouragement you need plus training plans and sponsor forms. Call or email info@thrive.org.uk. For details of the event see www.readinghalfmarathon.com.
Jane and Chris Turvey opened their gardens in aid of Thrive
"We have long been members of our local gardening club which has over 100 enthusiasts, monthly meetings, day trips, 2-day breaks and numerous social events. Strong Chairmen have guided us over the years and while the village was considering various 'In Bloom’ competitions we were 'encouraged’ to open our gardens to members so that we could appreciate different styles etc., not intended to be to NGS standards, but just for the fun of it.
"We succumbed to pressure this year when a friend visited and was bowled over by the spring flowers. Just one week later we told the club meeting we would open the next Saturday, just for a few hours late morning to lunchtime….
"How many of us have had a 'bad day’, or come home from work or family with problems on their mind and with a short time in the garden it is all in perspective, and maybe an answer found? The approach of garden therapy certainly works for us and for many, and this was an opportunity to help in a small way.
"Being supporters of Thrive we decided that we would give people the opportunity to donate if they wished on the day. We think of Thrive as one of the smaller charities which make a real difference – and they always say 'Thank you’ for what they receive.
"The pressure was on! Paths were swept, plants staked and deadheaded; those which were still in their pots after 2 years suddenly found that they were planted. The sun scorched down and daffodils sulked.
"But we are Godstone Gardeners, and we don’t give up lightly! Water butts were drained and the Aga worked full time on biscuits, cakes and scones; 1950’s deck chairs were summoned into service.
"The phone started ringing – "could we come early as we are doing Church opening later?"; "where’s best to park?; "we can’t get there until later, is that OK?".
"Yes, it was hectic. Our friends loved it as the sun shone, the birds sang and the plants did their stuff. They relaxed and chatted, they walked in the areas we hadn’t expected and asked questions were not prepared for. As usual with gardener’s a plant swap list was drawn up – both ways – for later in the year.
"At the end we were exhausted, but had enjoyed the day – the couple of hours was about 9.30 to 3! Would we do it again? YES! But we will have a handrail at the front steps to help the not so agile, and we will do it in a different season for a change of interest. If it rained we would have a problem….
"Thrive helped us with Gift Aid forms for donations and publicity about their forthcoming events. Our friends had a relaxed social event. We had a suddenly 'made-over’ garden that we could enjoy for several weeks without further input. We would encourage any other Thrive supporters to take the plunge and give it a go – you won’t regret it!"
If you’d like to raise money for Thrive and would like some support or just a friendly chat, please call us on 0118 988 5688.
Thrive is a member of the Fundraising Standards Board, a not-for-profit organisation that runs the self-regulatory scheme for fundraising in the UK. This means you can give to Thrive with confidence because we adhere to a formal set of standards when we raise money.