JMF Kids4Kids… It has begun!

Wow!!! We’ve had an amazing response for this years John Maclean Foundation Kids4Kids Event. Well done to the kids and families who have registered. Some have already started with fund raising and clocking up the required kilometers. The Kuriel family hit the ground running yesterday with a ride and a run. With two weeks of shool holidays ahead of us, it’s the perfect time to get outside and active as much as possible. Vicky took the kids for a swim this morning, and we’ve set aside some time tomorrow for a ride and swim. Remember to keep track of your progress with a chart, excel spreadsheet, or whatever other ideas you may come up with (please share your ideas for logging swim, bike and run kilometers with us). If posting anything on Twitter, Instagram or FaceBook remember to use the hashtag… #jmfkids4kids

Fundraising Ideas…

1. Ask friends, family and work colleagues: we all lead busy lives and sometimes miss items in our FaceBook newsfeed and email inboxes. Make sure that you speak to your family, friends and work colleagues to let them know what your kid/s are up to and ask for their support via a charitable donation. Many people want to donate to a cause but often don’t because they are overwhelmed with choice. This way you can direct them to a foundation that you are recommending that they support on behalf of your kid/s efforts.
2. Make your employer aware of your involvement: as we are well aware, employment is no longer simply about the 9-5 routine. Employers require a work force that is fit and healthy, have a strong social network and a sense of community. JMF Kids4Kids event ticks all these boxes. One of the families in this years event has done just this and their employer has generously agreed to matching any donation made until the end of July (to a maximum of $1000).
3. Auctions: your friends and/or family who own small businesses may prefer to donate a prize to be auctioned. Combine several prizes together from a number of small businesses to put together a hamper and give it a RRP $ value. You can run the auction the simple way by putting together an email list of family and friends, and get everyone to “reply all” with their bid amount so that the distribution list can see a running total. Run the auction over a given time period (start and end date and time) with a lead up to advertise the auctioned prize and generate some interest. If you prefer to “bling up” your auction have a read of this blog on setting up an auction using a Google email account.
4. Suasage sizzles: Bunnings, OfficeWorks, Masters, Markets and several other big chain stores have sausage sizzles available (most weekends) in aid of Charitable Foundations. These often require prior booking of several months, however you may get lucky on the wait list with a cancellation.
5. Google search: there are hundreds of ideas out there. Search for “fundraising ideas” or “fundraising ideas for kids”

Let us know your ideas and if you have any fundraising events coming up or hampers to auction. If we can share our ideas and support eachothers efforts, we can ultimately help more Aussie kids in wheelchairs.