From Daniel: This is a guest post written by freelance writer Amy Fowler. She writes at The Poppy Run, which organizes 5k runs around the UK in aid of The Poppy Appeal. You can find out more by visiting their site or liking The Poppy Run Facebook page.
Charity fun runs and walks are more popular than ever these days. With people young old and from all walks of life taking part and raising thousands of pounds each year to vitally import causes, there has never been more reason to get involved. If you feel a bit reluctant to get involved in a charity run, here are some reasons why you should:
1. Motivating
Doing a 5k run may seem like torture to an inexperienced runner, especially if you don’t do much exercise usually. However, simply signing up gives a sense of obligation and, especially if you have friends and family sponsoring you, you don’t want to lose face and let them and the charity down by not taking part.
Bigger charities will help you prepare, especially for a big run; this gives you not just the motivation but the confidence to run the race. Think of how good you will feel once you have completed the race – that will make it all worthwhile.
2. Knowing you’ve made a difference
Knowing your participation in a 5k run or a 10k run will help to raise thousands if not millions of pounds annually to organisations and charities that desperately need it is a great feeling. So for the sake of compromising your Sunday in bed for a run in the cold, just think of the outcome and how because you’ve chosen to take part, more money will be raised which means more help for your chosen charity.
3. It’s fun and sociable
You aren’t alone, you can include your friends and family members in the race if they want to and even if you are taking part on your own, you’re never on your own. Thousands of men and women are taking part, it is a great way to meet new people and maybe even make a friend for life while you are helping a needy cause.
The atmosphere and general morale of the runners and the audience will make it all seem worthwhile.
4. Fundraising Fun
Fundraising can be great fun; you can organise literally anything you can think of to make money. Sponsored swims, quiz nights, parties, even fancy dress – anything that gets other people involved and money raised can be great fun and it doesn’t have to be expensive.
It is also very rewarding to see how much you raised at the end of the event.
5. It’s not as hard as you think
As long as you are reasonably fit and healthy, anyone can take part in a fun run – you can even walk the race if you don’t feel up to running. Signing up is quick and easy and there is bound to be a run somewhere near you – just have a look online.
You’re not running the Olympic marathon – it is for charities – so don’t beat yourself up if you struggle to keep up: it is the taking part the counts.