Well my friends, it is with a heavy heart - but hopefully not with too heavy anywhere else - that I must tell you the £1750 sponsorship target set for AGE UK looks to be quite a few quid too far. The final figures may not be in yet, and hopefully there will be a bit of a last minute donation surge (along the lines of Children in Need where the figures get a boost just after pub throwing-out time thanks to the inebriated donors who get a nasty shock when their bank statements arrive at the end of the month), but unless they are of tsunamical proportions I'm coming up short.
The whole experience of requesting donations has been a real eye-opener, not to mention an eye-tearer (as in boo-hoo, not rip-rip) but this final run has been particularly 'interesting'; occasionally positive, often negative.
There are the shops in and around Edenfield who without questioning donated their prizes for the local finishing-time sweepstakes, and yet despite delivering the best part of 1000 leaflets around the village it looks like all too few people are going to be buying a ticket. (Note to self; when posting paper leaflets through a front door, do not, I repeat DO NOT poke your finger too far through the letter box where it is exposed and vulnerable to a lurking dog......fatmantobitman dot ouch).
People of my acquaintance who to be honest I expected better from have looked me straight in the eye and declared that they 'don't give to charity' (is it a real reason ir purely a justification for being tight?.....I suspect...... Shame they couldn't even show their support for me), and yet known friends of friends, known relatives of friends, anonymous friends of friends, and even Kath and Richard from no. 59 have been unexpected, heart-warming contributors.
Expectations are risky things; particularly when one is overly optimistic about the outcome. I confess that I have been a bit seduced by false impressions of the majority if the human race. It is a shame, yes; disappointing, yes; but I am nevertheless buoyed by the good people who are out there (you know who you are; and if you're not sure give me a shout and I'll put you right.......either way!).
Whatever the final figure, it is what it is. I have done my best. Granted if I had my time again there are a few things I've learned by this effort. The good news is that it is going to be more than what is currently in the bank (some definite donations still to come), moreover (did I just use a word like 'moreover'??? things must be serious) I am extremely content that - considering my relative inexperience - I have done my best by AGE UK. (Put it this way; there are more than a few people who use a charity in order to secure a race place, but with no intention whatsoever of raising any money. Abhorrent).
Once more, it is a huge thank you to those people who have donated so far - it does mean so very much. For those of you who have not yet donated and your bit has never been so chomped to do just that, get your arse over to www.virginmoneygiving.com/adyblady; if you donate, then something wonderful will happen to you within twenty-four hours........if you don't, then something bad will happen within the same time.
Okay; that last part is a load of rubbish, there is no difference to your chances of good or bad things whether you donate or not; but if you do you will become one of the reasons I am doing this, and one of the reasons why this positive experience IS so positive.
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