Welcome to the Team Bones London Marathon Page!

On here you will find everything that you need to know about being a member of Team Bones and the London Marathon.

 

You can meet the rest of Team Bones here and find out their motivation for running for BCRT.

 

We've teamed up with marathon expert Graeme Hilditch who has designed a training plan which whether you've already started training or are just about to start, will give you great tips and advice on how to prepare for a marathon. Click here to download the training guide (9 MB).

 

This month we're focusing on Louisa Strain's unique fundraising event – a Silent Disco! Louisa is running the London Marathon in memory of her brother-in-law Alex Lewis who passed away last year following his battle with osteosarcoma. Here Louisa talks about what inspired her to do a Silent Disco and how she arranged it.

Silent Disco

Can you explain the event that you organised.

My brother Duncan and I organised a silent disco in a local pub in Birmingham just before Christmas, and with the help of my close friends, I also organised a raffle and we sold tickets in the weeks beforehand and on the door. The silent disco worked really well and comprised of 3 djs, a set of headphones for everyone with 3 different channels. We got the djs to wear BCRT t-shirts and stuck posters around the pub to give people information about bone cancer and we also gave everyone a BCRT wrist band when they paid their entrance fee.

What gave you the idea?

As my brother works in the music business and has his own silent disco business we thought it would be a good way to raise money and have fun at the same time whilst remembering our brother-in-law Alex and catching up with all of our friends and family over the festive period.

How did you advertise the event?

We set up a Facebook invitation and kept the invites to people we know. We also sent lots of text messages and emails out to our friends and families and added invitations into Christmas cards that we'd sent out in the post. I enlisted my friends to spread the word and use their powers of persuasion to get everyone to come.

Did you find it difficult to arrange?

It was hard work putting everything together but fun at the same time and really rewarding to see everyone having such good fun. I couldn't have done it without the help from my family and friends.

How did you make money?

We charged £5 entry on the door, all proceeds going to BCRT and we also arranged a raffle with prizes donated from friends who work at companies e.g. pearl jewellery from a local jewellers, a scooter from Skatehut, champagne from the Hotel du Vin and tickets to see "Got to Dance" live. Tickets were £1 each or £4 for 5. Most people bought £4 worth of tickets on the door as well as the entry. The djs volunteered their time (for a few beers!) and Duncan provided all of the equipment for free. The pub had initially charged us for use of the venue but when they realised it was a charity event their waived the fee so that everything donated went directly to BCRT.

What tips would you give to someone who's thinking of doing something similar?

I'd say leave plenty of time to arrange and give people lots of notice regarding the date. Do something that you find fun and can realistically manage to organise because it will be more likely that you will enjoy it. Make sure you enlist lots of help from family and friends as you can't do this type of event on your own!

To read more about Louisa's event please click here.

Making a Difference in Memory of Abbie

Working in a vibrant and energising school is superb when raising money and training for the biggest physical challenge of our lives! We were inspired to run for BCRT when we lost a brilliant and extraordinary talented member of our year group. At the tender age of 13, Abbie Freeman lost her battle with bone cancer, but we are determined to make her proud and make a difference to others.

So far we have raised close to £4000 through various fund-raising activities. When asked to give advice, I would definitely say to keep a total raised for reach event. I didn't! So any figures are going to be estimations!

Autumn Fair

We decided to kick off our fundraising with an autumn fair. BCRT trustee Laura Horton came in to speak in assembly and explain the work of the charity. This really got the group in the mood! Each tutor group in the year planned a series of stalls that could raise money. Ideas included: cake sales, sweet sales, throwing wet sponges, face painting and the list goes on. For one afternoon students from the other year groups were able to visit the stalls and spend their money. This event raised just short of £500. We added an element of competition by issuing a prize to the tutor group that raised the most amount of money.

Bake It for Bone Cancer

'Bake it for Bone Cancer' was a huge week-long success at John Ferneley College. We totalled just over £2,500. We held various events throughout the week, but they all followed the same theme. Each day of the week there was a cake sale, looked after by a different year group. Again we added the element of competition and issued a trophy to the year group that managed to raise the most amount of money on their day. Not surprisingly, Year 10 (Abbie's year) won the trophy!

We also held an anonymous staff cake competition, Staff were encouraged to make cakes and enter them for a silent auction. The highest bid won the cake. The Friday was a non-school uniform day and throughout the week we sold the BCRT blue wristbands which were very popular.

Christmas Party

In order to let out hair down and enter into the festive spirit, a Christmas party was planned for the staff. The venue for the event kindly offered a 10% discount per person. All staff were generous enough to donate this to our fundraising. On the evening we also held a raffle. In total we raised close to £400. This was so easy and so little work was needed.

In addition in the weeks leading to the Christmas break, we sold candy canes to the students. But there was a twist. Students paid 50p to write a personal note to someone in the school. This was then attached to a candy cane and delivered by Santa to their chosen recipient. The students loved this idea! Staff even sent them to each other!

Future plans

The School Production

We are going to run a raffle during the school's production in February, We are discussing ideas with the music and drama teams to come up with something great!

Auction of Promises

Since the start of our fundraising we have been steadily approaching local businesses, celebrities and national firms to ask them to support our efforts. So far we have received cookware from the chef James Martin and a signed copy of his book; vouchers for treatments at a local spa; an offer of a cake; numerous food vouchers at local restaurants and other little treats. We are going to continue to push this now we are in the New Year as we plan on organising an evening when these can be auctioned off to the highest bidder. We are hoping that the evening will include a disco and bar!

School Discos

Our students are desperate for an event in school, such as a disco. They are also incredibly keen that this helps to raise money. Another easy yet effective way to add to the total as we wouldn't need to pay for a venue and the supervision is straight forward!

Non Uniform Day

As the big day approaches we will up the effort to raise as much money as possible. Events such as non-uniform days are easy! Working with young people is an incredible way to motivate you as they have such inventive and effective ideas.

I honestly cannot wait to see what they come up with next!

Kate's Karaoke Night – have fun whilst you fundraise!

I took part in several runs for BCRT this year. However, as I've asked friends and family to sponsor me many times before and with the current economic climate as it is, I decided I would hold a fundraising event instead, so that people were getting something in return for their donation and so 'Kate's Karaoke Night' was created!

The ticket price of £10 included karaoke/disco and fish & chip supper. I got the venue for free (local rugby club) and I negotiated a good price for the karaoke/disco and the fish and chips. I also held a raffle and approached local businesses such as beauty salons and restaurants for prizes. I'm very pleased to say 'Kate's Karaoke Night' was lots of fun (see photos!) and I raised £1,000 for BCRT.

Whether you're a seasoned fundraiser or a 'first timer', we're here to support you every step of the way. So I thought it might be helpful for me to share my 'Top Tips' for organising a fundraising event.

Kate's top tips for organising a successful fundraising event or activity

Have fun!

Organise events that will be fun for your family, friends or colleagues. If it's a well thought out event, and you're offering a good event to the right group of people - you'll find that more people will want to come and will be happy to donate for the pleasure.

Some ideas: Ladies 'pamper night'; darts, pool or 5-a-side competition; quiz night; Bake It for Bone Cancer event; a themed party; 'Come Dine with Me' series of dinner parties; zumbathon; family fun day'; cheese & wine tasting; swishing party.

Click here and you'll see stories and photos of what other supporters have done to raise money for BCRT.

Give something back

It is good to offer people something in return for their money. If you offer a service or a prize in return for their donation you may find that the same people will keep coming back. Even the chance of a prize is a good incentive to donate - a raffle with one top prize can be enough to sell hundreds of tickets!

We know you all have some fantastic fundraising planned, so please do join our London Marathon Facebook Group and share tips and ideas with your fellow Team Bones runners.

 

Why are you running the Virgin London Marathon?

I am running the Marathon and doing the London Triathlon in order to raise money for this amazing charity. I was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma of my ribs in 2010 and have pretty recently been told I am now in remission. I want to try and raise money for a charity who can potentially help people be as lucky as I have been.

How are you doing your fundraising?

Fundraising so far has simply been by posting my justgiving page, like so: www.justgiving.com/tomsheffle on to facebook and twitter as regularly as I can. I have been very fortunate so far that I have had a great response from friends and family and raised more money that I could have imagined so quickly. I have a quiz night planned for the end of March which will also hopefully help me raise some additional funds.

How's your training going?

Training is going well, although I have bruised a bone in my foot through over doing it a bit, which means I am having to take it quite slowly at the moment. I am up to 25km and not feeling so bad, just trying to vary my training with quicker short runs and a couple of longer ones each week. I am also trying to include some hill runs to build up my strength. I am also participating in a local half marathon race mid march which is a closer target to work to, and will hopefully give me some experience in a race environment. I have definitely noticed that eating properly is key to being able to keep the training at a high level. I seem to be eating lots!!!

What are you looking forward to most after the big day?

I am most looking forward to a cold bath and sports massage I guess. Also having a good night out and being able to drink some alcohol/eat whatever I fancy, and not feeling bad about it!!

What's your favourite song to run to?

I usually like some quite up tempo music to run to, but at the moment Ben Howard, Ben Francis Leftwich & Florence and the Machine are keeping me quite good company. Up tempo I am quite enjoying Drake's album and Fat Freddy's Drop.

What's your favourite post run snack?

Post run snack is a high5 energysource 4:1 with super carbs shake and a steak. Or a large bowl of pasta, and if it was a long run maybe both!

 

Why are you running the Virgin London Marathon?

To raise money for Bone Cancer Research Trust so it can be used to help anybody who has the misfortune to be diagnosed with this terrible cancer. I appreciate how lucky we have been to still have Francesca with us which has been brought closer to mind with the loss last year of Francesca's friend and fellow patient, Zack Hagan.

How are you doing your fundraising?

I have been fortunate enough to gain a couple of company sponsors along with setting up a just giving account, www.justgiving.com/Chris-Burke1. Francesca and my wife Georgina have also been helping by making and selling biscuits at school and work.

How's your training going?

Training is going pretty well so far despite the horrendous weather. I'm being spurred on by my boss who has promised to double his sponsor if I can beat 3hr 45min!!

What are you looking forward to most after the big day?

Knowing that if it's throwing it down and blowing a gale I will be able to say "I don't fancy training today thanks!!"

What's your favourite song to run to?

I don't listen to music when I'm running, although when I get bored I sometimes end up singing to myself.

What's your favourite post run snack?

I will eat anything I can find after a run, a Mars bar would be my first choice.

 

Why did you run the London Marathon?

I've always wanted to run a Marathon to prove to myself that I can do it and as the London Marathon has such a variety of runners and is well known for the support of the spectators I thought this one would be a good one to run. My husband entered me for it, so when I won a place in the public ballot I knew I had to do it. I gave birth to my second child in April 2010 and thought the Marathon would be a great way of getting back into shape after pregnancy.

Why did you run for BCRT?

In December 2010 a lovely little eight year old girl called Rose, from our neighbourhood lost her three year fight against bone cancer, which is the reason I have chosen to run for Bone Cancer Research Trust. My husband treated Rose on several occasions in the sport injury clinic and he was always impressed about how well she coped with her diagnosis, she always smiled and they always had a laugh during her treatment sessions. Rose's personality and her mum's openness to give people an insight in what they have been going through have prompted people to sponsor and raise money for this worthwhile charity.

How have you raised the money (any unique fundraising)?

I held 'clothes swapping' parties at work and with friends where people had to donate money to take part. I also held a cake stall in work which went down very well! I set up a Virgin Money Giving fundraising page so that friends and family could sponsor me online.

What were your favourite song to run to?

Any songs by Maroon Five, Ben Folds and Robbie Williams

What was your favourite post run treat?

A fruit salad with yogurt

Any tips on training/running/fundraising?

Make sure you put in enough miles before the race and run close to the pace you would like to run during the race. My second half was a lot slower then my first so I should have emphasised more on keeping my pace during my long runs. Always stretch before and after the run and book an appointment with a massage therapist every month or so for the last three months before the race.

Fundraising, don't be afraid of promoting the cause you are running for as often as you can

 

If you haven't already done so, don't forget to set up your online fundraising page. We use either Justgiving or Virgin Money Giving both of which are a great way to get people to sponsor you without the need for them to give you cash or cheques as the donation is taken online using their debit/credit card and comes directly to us, and they also claim the gift aid for us too!

 

We are very excited to announce that we are working with Olympic athlete Tracey Morris who is going to be giving tips on training and advice to help our Team Bones runners prepare for the London Marathon.

Tracey came 10th in the London Marathon in 2004 and was the first British female which won her a place in the Athens Olympic team in 2004. Tracey who is originally from Anglesey, now lives and works in Leeds as a full time Optician. Tracey is a member of the Leeds based Valley Striders running club.

We are delighted that Tracey is working with us and we hope that the insight that she has will be really helpful for our runners.

  

Do keep checking back as we will be constantly updating this page.

If you have any questions just give us a call +44 (0)113 262 1852 or email fundraising@bcrt.org.uk