Extinct Run - Help & Ideas Needed

[burns863]

Hello mini2ers

I have started this thread as I am need in some help, ideas, and advice. Please take time to read this post and help if you can.

I have never organised a run before, but have now decided my time has come Now my reasoning being this. I have gave a monthly donation to the WWF now for years, as I feel it is a very important and needy cause. And after watching the WWF program on ITV this week (Extinct), it made me want to do everything I can to help some of the worlds most endangered animals. The first thing that came into my head was to organise a run.

I understand it is hard to ask people to help raise money and give their time and effort but i feel I must try and do all i can. To see some of the worlds most beautiful species be erased from the earth would be such an awful tragedy. With the truth being that; it is happening all the time.

So.... I want to organise the run up north somewhere (I am in Derbyshire) but I need to gauge interest and get ideas before I can organise anything. I am completely unsure on good routes (wouldnt want to just 'copy' another route) and I am unsure on the way to go about raising the money (Sponsorship?) and promoting the run.

I would greately appreciate any help possible, and of course peoples opinions. The help of experienced run organisers would be especially useful.

This would really mean a lot to me, and i am sure it would to many other people, if something could be organised to do our bit towards keeping some of the worlds most amazing creatures alive

Thank you for your time

Kind Regards

Daniel

[Harpo]

The first thing to do is to check the Mini2 calendar for a sensible date.

Then check the UK confirmed events thread to make sure that you are not duplicating an existing run (relatively speaking).

Once you've booked a date, then is the time to start the planning bit.- give yourself six months for your first run. Have a look at some of the threads of recent runs to get a flavour of how to put it all together.

I'm sure you'll have plenty of offers of advice from many willing members.

[burns863]

OK cheers Harpo. What do you think on the idea of raising money for the WWF?

Bring on the ideas people, where would you like to do a run? Some of your favourite roads?

I would also like to gauge interest to see who wouldbe interested in this for sometime in about 5 or 6 months.

[Shamster]

It is a great cause that you want to raise funds for but I would recommend making donations and contributions of any kind entirely voluntary. Runs that have fallen into this category in the past also include the Charity Ball run which again has voluntary donations.

In case you don't have an idea of the roads to use you can use a popular motoring site such as the AA to get mapping. Just mention towns that you want to go via and avoid motorways.

One of the things that you need to make clear is that joining the run and staying with it is entirely optional and under a members own volition. (Link to the etiquette section on runs to give people an idea of what to expect). It is also worth re-iterating that anyone on the run will be expected to show due regard for other road users and to stick to a maximum of 30 or less when driving through residential areas. Much nicer to get smiling faces and waves than people cursing you. .

There is another thread on run planning which is worth having a read of.

Above all don't get too flustered - a lot of your planning will be based on how many people actually sign up.

[Rakey]

don't you think more good would come of not driving a run, burning fuel, creating more green house gas which leads to the destruction of some of these animals natural homes?

just thats the first thing I thought of when you are trying to arrange a run to help the enviroment.

as for a run to raise money, personally I don't go on a run because it is raising money for charity, I attend a run because it has a great route, it interests me, the people attending and any other things to attract me to it. If however there is then a cause to donate money to that I feel I want to donate to then I give money, and only if its not done under pressure to give.

So I just feel there are better ways to raise money for a charity than a run, as at the end of the day all your effort will raise a £100 probably, and you could have raised more doing a sponsored swim

[burns863]

Thanks for the advice Pingu, big help and greately appreciated

However Rakey, I never said it was going to be compulsory donations etc, this is why I asked for idea, to find the best way ofgoing about it

I understand what you mean about the pollution a run would cause, but seriously, england alone only contributes to approximately 1.5% of the worlds CO2 emmissions. Infact i think it is more than 90% of the worlds CO2 emmisions are down to natural causes. Humans add less than 10% of the worlds co2 emissions to the atomosphere. I dont think a run would alter this at all. But thats a science matter

I want to raise money so the WWF can put it towards the projects they have outlined on TV this week as they were very hard hitting and are a truly needy cause.

So... i will most likely start a different thread to gauge interest when i have planned routes and dates. But are there any more opinions out there? Surely there are

I am going to make the run a non compulsory dontation/sponsorsored run. The leeds & harrogate run i attended on Dec 3rd was a great success and we managed to raise £500 for charity

Please continue to feed me your ideas as they are really vital for me to ensure i plan the run correctly. Plus with it being my first run i need all the help i can get

[Hat]

if you're making it WWF related why not have a run thought a wildlife park? it'd certainly be a first (& probably a last )

[NickyJ]

Once you've decided on your route you can never do too many recces - well actually you can - but you do need to drive the route a few times, including the same day/time your run is going to be. For my Dales run in September I must have driven that route - or good chunks of it, about 5 or 6 times.

You need to think about re-group points, stops for lunch, toilet stops etc - not easy if you've got 20+ cars

Have you seen any run notes? Notes with photos can be helpful

Just seen Hat's post - isn't there a safari park near Liverpool?

There's no way I'd take my car through one though, just think what the monkeys could do

[Rakey]

hey, just gave you my first thoughts when I read the plan

Surely though the reason that climate change and car pollution is so big, is that people turn round about say well its not our fault, we only make a little bit compared to others, but hey thats another debate for another thread I guess

The Leeds run made that much, thats pretty good I guess, but the way that was pretty much forced donations, payment to attend etc, thats why I didn't attend it, even though it was on my door step

I think the WWF is a great charity, although again I've not watched any of the programmes on the TV, as for a start ITV are crap at nature programmes and I again don't want it shoved down my throat that I have to do something to stop this or call them to donate money because I am watching a programme about it. Its all too forced for me, I give when I want to give and to a cause that I choose. And those wrestlers make more than enough already

I truely wish you every success with it, I just wanted to give you my thoughts on how I saw it

[burns863]

Quote: Originally Posted by Hat (original)

if you're making it WWF related why not have a run thought a wildlife park? it'd certainly be a first (& probably a last )

Ha ha Maybe not a safari like place but somewhere that is quite "naturistic" (yes i know, not a word but you know what i mean!!! :P) Great idea thanks hat!

Quote: Originally Posted by Rakey (original)

hey, just gave you my first thoughts when I read the plan

Surely though the reason that climate change and car pollution is so big, is that people turn round about say well its not our fault, we only make a little bit compared to others, but hey thats another debate for another thread I guess

The Leeds run made that much, thats pretty good I guess, but the way that was pretty much forced donations, payment to attend etc, thats why I didn't attend it, even though it was on my door step

I think the WWF is a great charity, although again I've not watched any of the programmes on the TV, as for a start ITV are crap at nature programmes and I again don't want it shoved down my throat that I have to do something to stop this or call them to donate money because I am watching a programme about it. Its all too forced for me, I give when I want to give and to a cause that I choose. And those wrestlers make more than enough already

I truely wish you every success with it, I just wanted to give you my thoughts on how I saw it

No probs rakey, your thoughts are appreciated. I understand what you mean abotu the issue of forcing donations. But i suppose sometimes, when a charity is desperate, its the only way I can assure you, this run will not be one that forces people to donate / get sponsorship. It will just encourage it

Quote: Originally Posted by NickyJ (original)

Once you've decided on your route you can never do too many recces - well actually you can - but you do need to drive the route a few times, including the same day/time your run is going to be. For my Dales run in September I must have driven that route - or good chunks of it, about 5 or 6 times.

You need to think about re-group points, stops for lunch, toilet stops etc - not easy if you've got 20+ cars

Have you seen any run notes? Notes with photos can be helpful

Just seen Hat's post - isn't there a safari park near Liverpool?

There's no way I'd take my car through one though, just think what the monkeys could do

Thanks a lot Nicky Yea I have seen some run notes. However i have only been on 2 runs as iv only had my mini since june. But i am signed up for your yorkshire weekender next year!

There is one thing i am tempted to do..... i work at vauxhall (elelsmere port) and at the moment the relevant departments are looking at promoting charity work they do, and also doing more charity work. Think it would work if i could get the run sponsored somehow by vauxhall? Or would it be a stud thing to do seen as we are all driving MINI's? . :P

[Rakey]

a good run to take note from is the Cotswolds, this started out as just a run, but now raises a fair bit of cash for charity, this one I always attend, and its always fun to give money to this one, as you get something in return, such as a sticker, an auction to buy things in etc

worth speaking with Bob or getting his advice too

[burns863]

cheers rakey! what is his username? Or hopefully he will post here

Come on people.... still need more opinions

[Rakey]

Quote: Originally Posted by burns863 (original)

cheers rakey! what is his username? Or hopefully he will post here

Come on people.... still need more opinions

Soggycornflakes

Been thinking more about this, runs with a theme are a great idea, so as someone else has already said see if you can get a tie in with your chosen cause, that way people feel more a part of it and more likely to donate towards it

Had a great idea for a run in and around the Derbyshire peaks, just never got round to arranging it

[Minnie Mouse]

Mini 2 each year choose a charity to donate to. This year it is Marie Curie. There are lots of things going on during the year, including a Charity Ball in Northampton on 12th may 2007, in which raffles, auctions and donations are made to this great Charity. Already this year there have been donations from a run and a some very generous donations from Mini2 members.

Click here to see more info about our fundraising target!
Any contributions from other runs would be very welcome

[The Red Baron]

One good way to raise funds for your chosen charity would be to hold a raffle of MINI related items, maybe at the lunchstop for the run. I did this on a run this year and found it very sucessful in raising funds for my charity.

I would also look very carefully when you choose to hold the run as the MINI2 calender is already looking very busy for next year, plus bare in mind that there are one or two annual runs already held in the Derbshire Dales.