There are many thrilling charity challenges that take part throughout the year in order to raise money for worthwhile causes, such as London to Paris bike rides, long distance hikes, a charity expedition to Machu Picchu in Peru, climbing Kilimanjaro and much more. If you want to participate in an event for charity you will have plenty of options to choose from, including rafting, sky diving, skiing and much more.
So how do these challenges work, what do they involve and how do they raise money for a good cause? Here are some of the frequently asked questions when it comes to charity challenges in the UK:
Do I have to be extremely fit?
The answer depends on the charity challenge itself, but you don’t necessarily have to be extremely fit to take part in a charity challenge. However, most of the challenges are fairly strenuous and you will need to be of average fitness and enjoy reasonable health in order to complete them. To make sure that you are physically prepared for the challenge you should do regular training in the weeks that lead up to the event. Some charity challenges will require you to obtain a medical form from your doctor if you are over 65 to ensure that you are in good enough health.
Am I responsible for fundraising the money?
Yes, if you are taking part in a charity challenge you will be responsible for raising the sponsorship money. This can be one of the toughest parts of the charity challenge, so make sure that you have a strategy in place for it. Sometimes the charity challenge website will have resources available to give you some inspiration and make fundraising easier.
What if I can’t raise enough money?
If you haven’t raised enough money to take part in the challenge by a certain date you will usually lose your place in the challenge. At this stage, you can send the sponsorship money to the charity who will return it to your sponsors if they have requested this. However, you also have the option of making up the shortfall yourself so that you can still take part. If you are getting close to the deadline and you haven’t raised enough money, make sure that you let the charity know so that they can offer you any help if possible.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes, it is essential that you have travel insurance in order to take part in a charity challenge overseas. When you are shopping around for an insurance policy make sure that the insurance company is aware of the nature of what you are doing and that they understand it is a charity event. Usually the charity event will want to see some proof of your insurance before the challenge. For example, if the charity challenge takes place in the EU and you are an EU resident then you could obtain a European Health Insurance Card which will entitle you to some free health treatment.
Which charity can I support?
When you are taking the time and effort to undergo a charity challenge and raise money for a good cause, it is important that you are passionate about the cause that you support. Usually you will be able to choose a charity to donate to, so that you can select a cause that you are personally passionate about. Often there will be many charities listed on the website of the challenge organiser, but there will also be the option to send them a message and ask them about a charity that is not listed. The charity challenge organiser will contact them and introduce them to the concept. No matter what you are passionate about, whether it is the environment, cancer research, the homeless, children in Africa, endangered animals or other important causes, you can choose to support the charity that is important and meaningful for you.
These are just some of the important frequently asked questions that often come up with UK challenges for charity. If you are interested in taking part in a challenge such as this, make sure that you look into it and ask as many questions as you need in order to ensure that you are prepared to take on the challenge.