Fundraising

Please show your support and sponsor Matthew Swift as he takes on the Iron man triathlon challenge. Matthew, below, has written a short piece explaining why he is taking on such a challenge.

My only child, Joseph John Swift, born on 05 October 2006, has recently been diagnosed with an incurable degenerative, neurological, genetic disease called Aicardi Goutieres Syndrome. This rare form of Leukodystrophy leaves Joseph with very little control of any muscle in his body. I have too much faith in science and research to ever accept that there is no cure for Joseph. For my part, I can raise money to help fund the continuing search for a cure into demyelinating diseases. On 13 July 2008, I aim to complete the Iron man Switzerland Triathlon consisting of a 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and a 42km run. I welcome sponsorship, no matter how small, so that one day, Joseph and every other demyelinating disease sufferer, can experience the joy of swimming a stroke, pedalling a bike and taking a step.

To sponsor Matthew Swift or to find out more, please CLICK HERE to visit his website. Alternatively click on 'Donate' (left hand side) to make a donation .

Even if you think you cannot contribute, financially or any other way, you would be amazed at how much you actually could do.

Yes, we appreciate every penny that is sent in and if you have contributed financially, thank you very much.

However, you could also help us even if you cannot send in any donations. Just help us raise awareness about our noble cause by mentioning to your friends, neighbours, and work colleagues, even your GP and specialists (as well as their staff.)

By passing the word about The Myelin Project, you help us to reach out to the public for help. Mention to them about the vital research we are raising funds for. You can even direct them to our website for more information or pass on our office contact details. I would be more than glad to speak to anyone and help him or her understand more about The Myelin Project. Perhaps they will even want to contribute financially. You never know!

There are even other ways you can help be part of your own future, just contact me either via email or phone and let's discuss how.

If you wish to plan a fundraising event, we do have kits available, just give us a call! Hope to hear from you soon!

· Your donation will go directly towards financing practical research and support for our members.
· We do not receive any government of lottery funds and therefore, no red tape exists that could hinder immediate action on vital research.
· Your contribution will enable our lifesaving research to proceed unhindered.
· Success in our research could eliminate the mental and physical ravages of demyelinating conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis and the Leukodystrophies.
· We do not charge for any of our information nor do we charge a yearly fee to receive any of our newsletters, research updates or access to our website and message boards. We feel our members have enough of a financial strain on their families without it having to cost them to reach out for support and information.
· We rely solely on public-fundraisers. Every penny or pound you donate goes directly towards support and research. None of our Trustees draw any salary from the Trust, as they are dedicated that all funds should go towards finding a breakthrough.

Fundraising Ideas

The Myelin Project needs your help; here are some ideas that can be organised quickly and easily in your area.

Coffee mornings- Invite your friends/family/neighbours, ask them for an 'entrance fee' and raise funds by raffling prizes e.g. bottles of wine and by selling cakes/biscuits/sweets e.t.c.

Car boot/Garage sales- Clear out all that clutter in your cupboards you never use. You can ask friends and family to join in or give you their clutter. Make sure you tell your customers; all proceeds are going to charity.

Bridge luncheons/teas- Play for money and make the game more exciting, especially as your winnings are going to charity.

Cake sale/novelty cakes - Sell them to friends and family or even your neighbours.

Variety of sponsored events - swims/slims/silence/walk/wheel, you name it, you can do it, it's a great way to raise money and can be adapted to almost all situations.

Race nights - Works well in your local club or maybe as your local pub to hold this event.

Car washing - Good for the summer, children love to play with water and bubbles.

Raffles - Schools, clubs, clubs or churches are all good places to get them involved.

Bag Packing - Write or ask your local super store, if you can organise a group of people to come in and bag pack for their customers. This you will need buckets, t shirts and written permission from our office.

Non uniform day - Approach you Childs/grandchild's/niece or nephews school, ask them to raise money for our charity, most schools do this for red nose day and children in need, why not us?

Wear Green to school/work day - Why not ask your boss/head teacher if you can pay for the privilege to wear green, as well as raising funds you will be raising awareness.

Quiz Nights - This can be great fun, charge for admission to the quiz, you can do raffles to raise extra funds.

** Knitting** - You can of course knit and sell your wares. I am appealing to all you knitters, I have a great collection of knitted scarf's/jumpers and cardigans, which have been made by a very clever lady, I also have embroidered table cloths, this has inspired me to hold a stall at one of our events. If you knit/sew/embroider please make something for us, so I can then sell them at an event.

More fundraising ideas

·Tell at least two people about the Myelin Project.
·Join together in fundraising groups
·Approach your local businesses/clubs and ask them to donate or organise a fundraising event for The Myelin Project. These can be mentioned in our newsletters.

We need free exposure to raise awareness and funds for The Myelin Project. You can help us by:

·Approaching newspapers, radio stations etc, with your fundraising event or story. They may even give you free advertising space for your event.
·You and your family may have business contacts. Would they add our logo to their stationery or organise an event or sponsor an event. It is not what you, it is who you know!
·What groups/clubs do you and your friends and family go to? Approach them with information about us and encourage them to fund raise.
·Talents - what resources and skills do you/family/friends have? How can they be used to raise money for The Myelin Project?
·How about Dining 4 Myelin - Someone hosts the dinner party and donates the food and their cooking skills, invite as many people as you like and charge them for the pleasure, you can even hold a little raffle. This has been done by my friends they invited 10 people and charged £10.00 a head, encourage your guests to follow suit and invite different people to their dinner party, and so on.

These are only some of our suggestions, we know you have better ideas.

You may need written permission to fund raise for certain events. Contact our office for this and any other assistance you may need, sponsor forms, tins etc.

We can do this together, with a little time, dedication and drive. Good Luck !