views wanted re: charity event

[rforsyth1984]

I posted about this in soap box a few days ago, but now it's been confirmed that there are places available, I wanted some more opinions.

Im thinking about doing a sponsored horse trek across the Spanish Pyranees in June, for SCOPE, the charity for people with cerebral palsy.

I have to raise £1800 in 7 weeks - £1000 goes directly to the charity, £800 goes towards costs of trip. I intend to cover the £800 myself, so all sponsors money goes towards the charity.

I don't see this as being any different from a sponsored bike ride across china, or a marathon etc etc, but I realise some people would view this as a holiday.

I admit this has benefits for me - I think being involved will look good on my C.V., its an incentive to get fit and loose a bit more weight and though hard work, the trip will be enjoyable.

On the other hand it is still raising money for a worthwhile charity, and I will have to put in a lot of work to raise the sponsor money in 7 weeks (I intend to work for a lot of it - sponsored muckouts perhaps?!)

Any very honest views welcome. Particularly interested on peoples views about the following but please add comments about anything as well as answering the poll

 

[Baggybreeches]

I will sponsor you a £10, I am only round the corner from you (by The Stanley Gate)!
I think on your CV things like that set you apart from other candidates of a similar age/experience level.

 

[dwi]

I have several things like that on my CV and employers always comment on it at interviews, more so than my very long list of academic qualifications. I don't like sponsoring people who aren't covering the costs themselves but if you make it clear to people I can't see that anyone would object

 

[LCobby]

Sorry, but sounds like a luxury holiday to me.
OK, you are paying the full cost, but expecting people to make a charity donation because you are having this ride of a lifetime? Raise the £1000 sposnor money by doing jobs.
Back it up wth some hands on voilunteering.
If SCOPE is you chosen charity, back it up by volunteering,
help out one of thier shops, offer support to a student with CP in your area, or at RDA centre.
Give is a higher level of commitment and credibility, so tis not seen as a subsidised holiday..

 

[Baggybreeches]

I think the charities run these events as a bit of a PR exercise, yes by all means volunteer in a shop or a home, but something like this is more likely to draw attention to the charity in a positive light. I think thats why the charities do it.
(Ps LCobby, you sound a bit harsh!)