Let's Talk About Brain Tumours

Episode 12 - Spotlight On Fundraising Events

• The Brain Tumour Charity • Episode 12

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In this episode find out more about how the charity raises money for research into brain tumours and treatments as Chandos talks to  Sarah Castleman, Events Manager at the charity.  Sarah talks about how we had to change the way we had to do events in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, the impact of this and what this means for us as a charity and how we do events as we come out of the pandemic.  Sarah talks about the importance of these events both in terms of raising money for vital research into treatments for this terrible disease and also for the community to be able to come together and support each other and keep the memory of loved ones alive.

To find out more about our events and how to get involved you can visit our website https://www.thebraintumourcharity.org/get-involved/events/
or email Sarah and her team at events@thebraintumourcharity.org

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If you would like to speak to a member of our support team you can call 0808 800 0004 or email support@thebraintumourcharity.org

Sarah:

Welcome to Let's Talk about brain tumours, the podcast where we'll be talking to people who have been affected by brain tumour diagnosis, either their own diagnosis or the diagnosis of a loved one. We'll also be sharing news and updates and brain tumour charity about what we're doing to have the harm and double survival.

Chandos:

Hi, everyone, welcome back. This is a spotlight episode of the brain tumour charity Podcast. Today, we'll be speaking with Sarah, who the Events Manager for the brain tumour charity, we speak about how fundraising has changed because of COVID, but also how you can get involved and you can support the charity and the work they're doing. So can we start by talking a bit about who you are, what your role is?

Sarah Castleman:

Yes, so um, my name is Sarah, I am the Events Manager at the brain tumour charity, and also leading on the Lewis moody foundation. So yeah, it's been kind of a, it's a mixed bag of what I do, I guess, a lot of challenge events, a lot of physical kind of running, cycling, swimming, those kinds of events. And now I get the privilege to also work on events such as celebrating you, which are our kind of award ceremonies, and so very different events, in terms of fundraising, kind of special events, I guess, would be the best term to describe those. And then hearing more and finding more about this year, because of how we're working in the team, the events team now look after the engagement events. So our family days, our young adults meet ups, those kinds of events, which I've had the privilege of visiting and being part of, but never was having responsibility to work on them. So yeah, that's, that's gonna be exciting heading into New Year, and hopefully get into kind of in person versions of those kinds of engagement events and why we're there to support those families.

Chandos:

You mentioned there some of the stuff that you were doing kind of pre COVID and pre pandemic, where it was kind of like, and most people who are listening to this episode might have been to one of those events, especially like, one of the Twilight walks, or one of the Lewis moody foundation events. How has that changed over COVID? And what you're doing now?

Sarah Castleman:

Yeah, so as you say, I think we all miss that. I mean, you said the toilet walk flagship event for the charity. So it is, and it really is a massive community event, I think we've really missed that aspect of that event. Obviously, the fundraising is a huge part of what that event does for the charity, and for people living with brain tumours and research. But you know, on the day, the community feeling and people being part of something together is a massive thing that COVID is completely took away. So we had to pivot quite quickly, I think we would have done it anyway. And with virtual events were up and coming regardless of the pandemic being around that it kind of I think twisted our arms and and many other charities, you know, the only way we were going to fundraise was going to be virtually and to try and pivot from what we were doing. So we had, I think with one of the first events we'd kind of turned into a virtual version was a Snowden by night challenge, which we've done previously in person, and it'd been really popular. We had Around 50 people signed up pre COVID For that June. So we have these people that are willing and ready to do that kind of challenge for us. So we launched our first virtual event within two months and had a virtual mountain climb slash their climb challenge, which we knew wouldn't be the same as climbing Snowdon. But you know, no one could do that. So we had to pivot and have virtual versions, I guess, of the events we were, we were hosting, and the toilet, what was one of those, so we had the virtual toilet walk in 2020 in October when we normally hold it, but it was a month long virtual campaign. And again, we had no idea how that would go, you know, it's such a, I mean, you've been part of it, as you know, you know, it's our flagship event, it has been for many years, the format has always been in person, and we've been trying to increase the size of those walks, and they were so great in person. So we had no idea what turning it virtual would do. Both in terms of a numbers of people wanting to take part and also the fundraising, we just had no idea what what impact that would have. So we had, it was a big learning curve for those few months. But actually, the toilet walk did raise around about the same amount. And we were absolutely astonished to see that it would it pretty much raised What 29 teams physical events raised, which you know, I don't think we could be more thankful for in the situation we were all in it was you know, and the people you know, the research, we weren't able to be funding or didn't think we'd be able to fund or safeguard at least was, you know, that played a huge part in that. So um, yeah, that went virtual essentially the short answer of that and then try to learn what our community wanted and what they didn't want through kind of testing and learning I guess was the best approach for us.

Chandos:

Just to pick up on what you said there about the the amount of people that participated in the virtual events and stuff I guess for you as a team It must be really incredible feeling to see those people come on board and believe in your guys vision.

Sarah Castleman:

Yeah, exactly. I think there's that knowing you've got to do something turn it around quite quickly, but wanting it to also be the event you know, that they know and love, and do your best to kind of replicate that virtually. Is it you're kind of in that middle? Yeah, trying to find a fine balance between those two things. And from Viva we've got and I hope that you say the numbers speak for themselves in that we've had great success with those virtual events. So we launched three across the pandemic we had, like I say that it was called conquer the climb, we had the virtual toilet walk. And then in January 2021, we had conquered the challenge, which was kind of a plate conquer the climate kind of a subsequent challenge to that. But it was a bit more varied. What we learnt with conquer the climb was, you know, we did it quite niche to that event, because we were trying to replicate that event. But people wanted to do their own thing they wanted to cycle they wanted to swim, they wanted to Yeah, we didn't want to kind of constrain it as much and give people that option to kind of do what they want with it. And that third one did equally as well as the first two. And again, the community got really behind it. And we weren't sure, again, with the similar name, or the similar kind of concept how that would go. But people just, you know, you give them a set of rules, and they kind of take it as to how it means you know, what it means to them and find numbers and stats, that means something to them and their family, their situation, their experience with brain tumour and completely make it their own. And actually, it doesn't matter. You know, that's the event they want to take part in, we've given them the framework to do that. And we've given them, you know, the support they need. But people really, really took it took it on their own to kind of make it what they wanted it to be your full name,

Karen:

Karen Bryant, and what are you running today? I was running today for my dad who passed away. It's like 20 years ago now from a brain tumour. So he was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour, and he died within three months of the diagnosis. So yeah, that's obviously very close to my heart. And yeah, how did it go today? Amazing, isn't it amazing atmosphere. You guys, in terms of the brain tumour charity have been incredible. Everyone's just been really supportive. loved every minute, they're worth every ache in my legs right now. Laughter What would you say to encourage people to the London Marathon is saying, obviously, fundraise for the brain to the charity. So I think I think anyone can run a marathon, I think you can get anyone can enter. I think it's a lot of it is in your head. And you know, you sort of mentally think I can't do it, but I think everybody can do it. And I would also say running for a cause made it so much more worthwhile.

Chandos:

And in terms of events that are happening at the moment, and things that the charity are kind of championing to get people involved with. I know we've just had the London Marathon, what else has been happening is happening.

Sarah Castleman:

So yeah, London Marathon was I mean, over the last? What is it September, October has been bonkers. I think my team would absolutely agree, they got all the events to absolutely agree that we hadn't, we've had nothing for so long. And everything was packed into those kind of two months. So it was kind of a year's worth of events that we normally see from April ish to October all in like six or seven weeks. So we I don't think I've ever been so tired, but you know, travelling up and down the country, which just that just the travelling around has been lovely. Because, you know, we haven't been able to do that for so long. So, and going to events. So we've had the Great North Run, which was really, really great to go back up to Newcastle and a new route, which I think worked well but I think you know, it's such a famous route that that changed up people's opinions but just great to be back there. It's such a big event. We had London to Brighton cycle, which was although very very rainy this year and I can can do was very soggy. A very greatly another one that we haven't we have well supported every year. We've had Brighton marathan a few things have still moved. So Cardiff marathon kind of half marathons now in March. Yeah, a few things are still have still differed a little bit. But it's been a really busy period over the last eight weeks for us. And like I said, Now planning, kind of what next year looks like and what you know, we don't know as as no one does. But yeah, our best guess and you know, hopefully what people want to take part in. We're kind of building what those events look like next year, and what opportunities we can offer to the community to get involved as well. But with your name, please. Yes, so

Claire:

my name works Claire Dean, but no, my nickname is Bella. Yeah, why were you running today? Um, I was supposed to be running in 2019. My dad sadly passed away from a brain tumour in March 2018. But I had ACL, my ruptured my ACL so I had to defer for a year and then COVID So finally after two and a half years of waiting have finally managed to run the marathon and I'm so happy to do it for my dad didn't go. Yeah, it was good. It's the first marathon I've ever run as well as being London Marathon. So I'm really excited but it was harder than I imagined but worth every minute.

Chandos:

And obviously that that uncertainty of what what next year is going to bring and stuff especially with The way that COVID is, and even like with the flu and stuff like that, and the way it's impacting on people's ability to participate, how can people get involved and support the charity through fundraising events.

Sarah Castleman:

So on our website, we're currently going to be from now like, say, confirming and updating kind of our places in events that people can go online, pay a registration fee and get your name in that slot. And then that's yours to prepare for and get training. And I realised that's when we're heading to Christmas, that's maybe not the first thing people are thinking of. But I know in the new year, that's going to be hopefully, if people if it even get through winter and see where we are, at that point was in January will be a big time for us. Hopefully, people can have a look at what they want to put in their year, what they can put in there, you know, what dates that basically the website is going to host all of our kind of calendar events that we are being part of all the information people need on there, in terms of registration fees, the kind of fundraising targets, what support we can give them to reach those targets, because we realise in this time that we've had in asking for money and raising funds, if isn't easy, and if you are going through, you know, the reason people are supporting us is so personal if they are living with a brain tumour or looking after someone that is, you know, fundraising isn't their first priority. But you know, we want to be there to support people to be able to reach those targets. So we'd say if people see those targets, not sure, and it puts them off, please get in touch with us we have that's why we're here, you know, we're here to help help you reach those targets. And to explain kind of how we can give you kind of flexibility to do that, you know, we don't want anyone to be put off. People really want to take on those events, even it's a once in a lifetime, you're never going to do it again. I know every marathon runner says I'm never doing another one again, always has their name on another entry at some point. So you know, we're there to help people reach their goals. So please just get in touch with us. But look on the website for what we're involved with and what we've got to offer kind of going into next year.

Chandos:

Amazing. Well, thank you for joining me today, Sarah, it's been amazing to chat to you. Thanks again for listening to this episode of The Spotlight Series for the brain tumour charity. I'd also like to say massive thank you to Claire and Karen, who you heard during the course of this episode, showing up being a volunteer and a fundraiser was meant to them. Without their hard work and fundraising efforts. The charity wouldn't exist as it is today. If you found this episode helpful, and you want more information on how you can get involved and support the brain tumour charity, head over to the brain tumour charity.org Whether you've been diagnosed with a brain tumour or a family member or friend has the brain tumour charity are there to help to get information and support called Oh 808 800 Triple 04 That's Oh 808 800 Triple 04 Thanks again for listening.

Sarah:

We hope you enjoyed today's episode. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. If you'd like more information, you can visit our website at brain tumour charity.org or email our support team at support at the brain tumour charity.org And finally, before you go if you enjoyed this podcast, please can you leave us a review on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts so we can reach more people and raise more awareness