Fundraising news | Page 4 of 5

Sam’s Amazing Skydive

It all started last October when Andy and Tory presented an Introduction to Dyslexia Lunch and Learn session to IT consultant firm Capgemini. Sam Smith watched the presentation during his lunch break and, having dyslexia himself, was inspired to fundraise for us to help support others with dyslexia.

Sam doesn’t do things by half and has now run the Leicestershire Half Marathon in February, the London Marathon last month and this weekend he took to the air and did a skydive, falling from 14,000! So far, Sam has raised a massive £2,140!

You can read Sam’s inspirational story and support him here.

We’d like to say a monumental thank you to Sam for going to all these lengths (and heights) to help us provide much-needed support to children and adults with dyslexia.

By Marcy Rice|2024-07-23T16:45:56+01:00May 21st, 2023|Fundraising news|0 Comments

Teddy Arkell’s Big Walk for Dyslexia

Our Big Walk for Dyslexia is on the afternoon of Sunday 21 May and we’d love you to come and join us! We will be walking in beautiful Farnham Park – just a stone’s throw from the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity in West Street. And this year, we’re thrilled to be part of the Farnham Walking Festival.

As you know, Teddy Edward Arkell Bear loves to be involved where he can so he’s decided to take over the Big Walk and would like your furry teddy friends to come along too. There’ll be tea and cake at the end (if Teddy hasn’t already eaten it all).

Join in wherever you are!

If you can’t attend on the day, why not do a ‘virtual’ walk for us and tag us as you share your photos on social media?

This is all to raise money to help support adults and children with dyslexia and to raise awareness of dyslexia and the work we do here at Helen Arkell so we would love your support.

It’s a lovely, fun family day out – dogs are welcome too. You can find out more and register here.

Good luck and enjoy the walk! It will be great to see all your pictures on social media so be sure to tag us.

By Marcy Rice|2024-07-23T16:46:08+01:00May 19th, 2023|Fundraising news|0 Comments

Some people are just brilliant, aren’t they?

Why would anyone want to run non-stop for 26.2 miles, when they don’t necessarily even enjoy running? Which probably means somewhere between three and a half hours, to five and a half hours of very painful activity?

More than that. Why would anyone put themselves through several months of relentless training in order to manage the above in one piece? It probably means they’ve had to run on cold, dark winter’s evenings after work. Or icy winter mornings. And if you only run on nice, dry days, you probably won’t do many runs … so out you go (again) for another 2 or 3 hour run in the rain, when everything chafes twice as much as it normally would.

Why on earth would anybody do that?!

Probably the best people to answer that question are David, Debbie, Eskil, Justin, Sam and Steve, who are doing it on Sunday.

These intrepid heroes are the Helen Arkell team in this year’s London Marathon. You can read their stories by clicking on their names above, and this will give you an insight into their own individual, personal reasons for putting their bodies on the line in this way.

A common theme is that they have a determination to help us fulfil our mission to transform the lives of children and adults with dyslexia. That’s why they’re doing it.

So, please join me in saying a massive thank you to all our team, for going above and beyond for the cause of dyslexia, and for really making a difference in the world.

Think of them on Sunday morning, as they negotiate one of the greatest challenges there is. Please send them lots of positive vibes, to help get them safely to the finish line, where our Hazel and Helen will be waiting for them.

Above all, please contribute a little something to their fundraising pages, because raising sponsorship is actually just as hard and painful as the running itself.

Good luck David, Debbie, Eskil, Justin, Sam and Steve! You are all absolute heroes!!

Good luck!

Andy

PS If you feel inspired by the efforts of our London Marathon runners and want to ‘do your bit for dyslexia’ too, there are various options available to you, including the Royal Parks Half Marathon on 8 October, or Teddy Arkell’s slightly more gentle Big Walk for Dyslexia on 21 May.

By Marcy Rice|2024-07-23T16:47:11+01:00April 21st, 2023|CEO blog, Fundraising news|0 Comments

Tesco Community Grants – New Stores!

We’re in the customer vote for a Tesco Community Grant. This is a scheme giving community projects and small charities like us grants of up to £1,500.When you pop into a local store, it would be fantastic if you could put your blue tokens (given out at the checkout) into the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity slot to decide how much funding we get.The money we then receive from Tesco Community Grants will be used to support children and young people with dyslexia, giving them confidence and helping them succeed at school, college or university.

Which Tesco stores?

From the beginning of April, you can choose Helen Arkell at:

Tesco Express, 10 Salisbury Street, Fordingbridge SP6 1AF

Tesco Extra, Bourne Centre, Salisbury SP1 2NY

Tesco Express, 21-25 Castle Street, Salisbury SP1 1TT

Tesco Express, Wilton Road, Salisbury SP2 7HW

Huge thanks to everyone who has been supporting us in various Tesco stores around the country since last October – this really makes a difference!

You can find out more about Tesco Community Grants here.

By Marcy Rice|2024-07-23T16:48:17+01:00March 27th, 2023|Fundraising news|0 Comments

Fantastic donation is EGGSactly what we need!

We were absolutely delighted to welcome Thierry HENry to the Centre in West Street at the beginning of this month. This honoured guest was brought along by the Howard family who also brought a very welcome cheque for the charity for £1,000.

Brian Howard has been organising a charity event in Haslemere since 2017; there have been hogs, hares and hounds and this year was the turn of the hens. Thierry HENry is a three-foot fibreglass model hen – just one of 80 sponsored hens that have been decorated, hilariously named and sold in aid of local and national charities. Other hens included an artistic HENri Matisse, a super-heroic Cluck Kent, a musical EGG Sheeran and a nature-loving David AttHENborough. The events have raised a huge £190,000 since they began.

Thierry HENry is the brainchild of Brian’s grandson Charlie who is an avid Arsenal fan. Eleven-year-old Charlie was diagnosed with dyslexia at here at the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre 18 months ago and decided that his footballer hen should raise money to help children like him to get the support they need.

Charlie’s mum Lorraine said, ‘[the diagnosis] really changed Charlie’s life. We know first-hand what amazing work the charity does supporting children and adults with dyslexia as well as their families. Charlie wanted to give something back.’

Charlie’s dad Douglas is CEO of the Real English Drinks Company which sponsored the Arsenal-kitted hen. The hen was bought by a determined and enthusiastic club fan for an amazing £1,000 – all for the benefit of the dyslexia charity.

Our CEO Andy Cook said, ‘It was so lovely to welcome Thierry HENry and the Howard family and to hear Charlie’s story. He’s proof that the right kind of support can make a world of difference. As a charity, our aim is to make this support available to as many people – children and adults – as we possibly can. The £1,000 donation goes a long way to helping people, so thank you to Charlie, Brian and the family and to the very keen Arsenal fan.’

By Marcy Rice|2024-07-23T16:48:27+01:00March 21st, 2023|Fundraising news|0 Comments

Meet our London Marathon runners

Support our amazing London Marathon 2023 runners

These dedicated individuals are pushing themselves to the limit training in preparation for the event on 23 April.

And if that wasn’t enough, they’re running to raise funds for the people we support at Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity.

Click on their stories below to find out what led them to commit to running for Helen Arkell and how you can support them.

By Helen Arkell|2024-04-24T09:33:45+01:00March 13th, 2023|Fundraising news|0 Comments

Discover Adventure – and support people with dyslexia

We’ve partnered with Discover Adventure who are award-winning specialists in UK and worldwide trekking and cycling challenges. They offer challenges and adventures all over the world specifically for individuals and groups who are fundraising. Are you ready for an adventure? Want to challenge yourself? There are loads to choose from, with a small selection below. Or head to their website to choose your big adventure!

UK Coast to Coast Cycle

Yorkshire 3 Peaks Weekend

Mount Toubkal Trek

By Marcy Rice|2024-07-23T16:49:09+01:00February 6th, 2023|Fundraising news|0 Comments

Fancy a challenge? Run the Royal Parks Half Marathon for us in October

The Royal Parks Half Marathon is one of the most beautiful city runs in the world. The stunning 13.1 mile route takes in the capital’s world-famous landmarks on closed roads, and four of London’s Royal Parks – Hyde Park, The Green Park, St James’s Park and Kensington Gardens.

Taking part will raise funds to help us support children, young people and adults who have dyslexia.

We have places on #TeamArkell and would love you to join us! Register here.

By Marcy Rice|2024-07-23T16:50:35+01:00January 1st, 2023|Fundraising news|0 Comments

Tesco Community Grants – New Stores!

We’re in the customer vote for a Tesco Community Grant. This is a scheme giving community projects and small charities like us grants of up to £1,500.When you pop into a local store, it would be fantastic if you could put your blue tokens (given out at the checkout) into the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity slot to decide how much funding we get. The money we then receive from Tesco Community Grants will be used to support children and young people with dyslexia, giving them confidence and helping them succeed at school, college or university.

Which Tesco stores?

From mid January until 31 March, you can choose Helen Arkell at:

Tesco Extra, Barnes Wallis Drive, Brooklands KT13 0XF
Tesco Express, Old Woking Road, West Byfleet KT14 6JA
Tesco Express, 15 High St, Knaphill GU21 2PG
Tesco Express, Guildford Rd, Woking GU22 7PX
Tesco Express, Station Road, Chobham GU24 8AQ
Tesco Express, Commercial Way, Woking GU21 6XR

Huge thanks to everyone who has been supporting us in various Tesco stores around the country since last October – this really makes a difference!

You can find out more about Tesco Community Grants here.

By admin|2024-07-23T16:50:56+01:00December 9th, 2022|Fundraising news|0 Comments

Beautiful donation from Castle Quilters

We held annual drinks evening on 30 November for friends and supporters including the Mayor, Councillor Alan Earwaker. This is the first Christmas event at our new home on West Street.

The evening was made extra special by a fantastic donation from Farnham’s Castle Quilters who handmade a beautiful quilt to raffle in memory of a very special member of their quilting circle.

Jan Ashwell lived in Bordon for over 40 years and taught for 26 of those at Mill Chase School. As well as being a talented quilter, Jan was passionate about supporting young people with dyslexia and additional learning needs, including getting support and a diagnosis for her son. Sadly, Jan passed away last July.

The Christmas Drinks raffle made over £350 for the charity.

Huge thanks to the Castle Quilters for their enormously kind and beautiful donation – a long-lasting symbol of friendship both to Jan and to the charity. We are thrilled that the quilt was won by Lorna, one of our amazing supporters who ran the Royal Parks Half Marathon for Helen Arkell back in October. The quilt is now taking pride of place in Lorna’s home.

By Marcy Rice|2024-07-23T16:51:20+01:00December 1st, 2022|Fundraising news|0 Comments

Which Tesco stores?

From the beginning of April, you can choose Helen Arkell at:

Which Tesco stores?

From mid January until 31 March, you can choose Helen Arkell at:

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