How you representing?

So if you want to think of fundraising from a purely business perspective you should think in two terms:

1. Donations.
2. Exposure.

For those England fundraising types, you've probably gotten packets that give you several very good ways to do #1. Many of them will also give you #2, except you may stand there and think, "Why on EARTH do I need to do something to expose this charity?"

Simple. Because exposure brings awareness and awareness brings more awareness and ... more donations.

"But..." you reply, "this is a well known charity. This shouldn't be hard to raise money for."

That's where you are wrong.

When you commit to fundraising it is always good to commit to some level of exposure as well. A business wouldn't open a shop without a sign. A dentist wouldn't set up practice and then not tell anyone where they are. That is why you'll see charities with commercials, posters, and cheerleaders at the race.

People need to know the charity exists in order to support (or seek support) from it. You probably wouldn't have known about your charity without a personal experience, a friend who got help from it, a campaign on television or in the news that touched you, or even an advertisement seeking runners. Exposure is important and as vital as any donations you get.

So...

1. Wear your t-shirt or running jersey whenever you can. I wear my t-shirt for the National Autistic Society on Friday, and my jersey on my long runs.
2. Carry a few informational pamphlets and your collection tin wherever you go. It will remind you to talk about your charity and maybe get you some support.
3. Let local media outlets know what you are doing. Many radio stations and charities have Twitter accounts and don't mind retweeting people looking for donations. News groups will sometimes do profile pieces on people doing charity work of all kinds.
   
4. Blog. (Um, duh.) Tweet. (Double duh.) and Fan your group on Facebook. (TRIPLE duh.) Heck, add a support ribbon to your avatar.

There a many great ways to show support for your charity and help elevate awareness. My best feeling has come not from the donations (though it feels spectacular) but from a woman who saw me running in my jersey during a practice run. As I jogged by she caught my eye and said, "Thank you."

It's just a reminder that despite my own goal, there is a bigger cause out there.

Goal raising and my FARTHEST DISTANCE EVER!

Okay, so I raised my goal.

After being asked to share with VMGiving I realized I needed to. You don't just spend a good chunk of the morning breaking down achieving doable fundraising goals and think, "Yep, and here I am, so super proud of my over-achievement!" Virgin was founded by a guy who doesn't believe in limits, so I had to raise mine.

P.S. - I really like the Virgin Money Giving site. If you are charity raising your life is much, much easier. Back in the days of dinosaurs and green screen mobiles a person spent a huge chunk of time tending to their donors and swearing they wouldn't pass out credit card information.

Anyways.

14.65 miles. That is what is on the register for today. I believe I ran 14.10, in a (now defunct?) Nike+ Half Marathon. The goal of this half, so I was told, was to take your Nike+ out and in 24 hours (which is lovely) run 13.1 miles or more. Seeing as when this happened I was in my final months of living in Houston I decided to run a huge area near my home. I found out that it was hot, carrying enough water/gel without people at rest stops is hard, people build directly into public sidewalks (Hooray for running through shrubs!) , and much of the damage from Hurricane Ike was still around. But I finished and I turned in my time and I never got my tshirt or keychain as I was promised.

Ever.

So I have that run on memory, but nothing further, and sadly, nothing better.

Until now, that is. Glorious Oxford with its glorious sidewalks and trails and bike paths! (And, of course, stupid Oxford with its far to easy to access outdoor running!)

In short, there isn't an excuse.

I did well on my last long run, and even though it wasn't tasty, the ROCTANE will be with me again. I really didn't hurt very much after wards with that in play, so out it will trot again. (Along with nummy chocolate and mint chocolate GU!)

So if you see me in these next few hours (I'll be wearing my jersey!) give me a shout or jump on and donate to my cause.

See you on the other side o' the bloggy.

I totally was not expecting this.

I reached my goal.

I started less than a month ago and *poof*

I reached my goal.

Now, of course, the good fundraiser in me would say: "Well, then, Cristin, doesn't that mean you should RAISE your goal?"

And I think, "Well, yeah, but...."

But. (It's the greatest and most terrible word ever.)

There are others I know running equal challenges. People who, just like me, drag their sorry butts into stretchy material and hoof it to and from work and on odysseys around their towns. All for their chosen cause.

Not that I'm saying I could do with any more donations. Or argue that getting those donations help diagnose, support, and champion people who live with autism. Nor that those donations have already helped at LEAST 62 people. I could happily support another 62 more.

I'm just saying.

Regardless, and to make good on my little bit of jealousy over a kid who did something amazing I'm going to see if I can't interview a few people who are also running and raising. Maybe you'll like them and support them. Maybe you will support us both. Maybe, just maybe, it will only be about me.

I reached my goal.

Well, one of them.

Now I've got to make good on the other - finish the marathon.

Gotta run.

Support Charlie, Support Locally.

I'm having one of those days.

A day where you see something like this and you feel a bit, I dunno, jealous. I mean, really, this is something cool. Another positive outcome in social media.

But the little whiny kid inside me screams, "I wanna raise close to a quarter million pounds for autism! I'm gonna go so way like big farther than that boy! A whole 21.2 miles more! With my feet!"

When 9/11 hit I was in fundraising. After the towers fell and all those tragedies unfolded, people gave and gave in droves. It was beautiful to watch, unless you were part of charities that did not directly impact 9/11 and their survivors. I remember phone banking to countless people telling me, "No. Sorry. I gave to the victims of 9/11." I was crushed. Felt like a girl dumped for a cooler and more trendy charity. Seriously.

There is a saying, "Think locally, act globally." Globally, this is a no-brainer. This is horrible, they need help, and not a single person should feel bad because of their donation to a kid on a bike or a collection group on the street.

The other is to realize that proactive giving can help avoid other tragedies that can be right in your backyard. Giving to organizations who mobilize for causes you believe in, where you can see results, makes you feel more connected with the people around you.

When I chose my charity I realized I wanted to raise for something that impacted me immediately. I know what every dollar does, and what every cent means. I know what the reactions will be to better support, care, and diagnosis of this diverse condition people struggle daily to understand.

So I challenge you this: Support Charlie. Seriously, do it. Then do something locally. Something that gets you up and going like my charity does.

Think globally, act locally.

32 Reasons, 62 Impacts

Right now:

1. I have made a training plan. A real one.
I am using the "Oh ma GAWD I so totally like don't have time to train for a marathon" guide and the aptly named "Beginner's Marathon Training Plan" from the NAS. Special thanks to hero Jill for helping me to think this all the way through.

2. Found out my bestie and his wife will be, at worst, at the finish line of said marathon.
And they've never, ever, ever been to the most awesomest city ever. Which means that I need to follow said training plan combo thingy above so that I can take them around to everything cool and super in Rome.

3. Nearly hit my fundraising goal two weeks after starting it.
Thanks to GMC (not the car company) for teaching me all about grassroots fundraising and finding passionate and creative ways to reach out to people.

Which means that as of right now...

• I've funded 50 people in a gardening program for adults.
• Helped professionals assess 2 children with autism
• Given 10 people access to the Autism Helpline.

And that means the big #4:
I've gotten the support of over 32 individuals who believe in my cause and believe I can finish that marathon, whose training program is planned, who will have two people there for me who have never been to Rome, who have both supported the National Autistic Society

Which means that even though it will be me on that course getting a medal, we've impacted 62 lives no matter the outcome.

As they would say in England, "WELL DONE!"

Reason #1 to Sponsor Me.

Ahem.

I didn't sleep well last night. I dreamt of weights attached to my ankles as I stood under the Colosseum with people running past. I had visions of being late, overwhelmed. My mind was processing that - yes, Cristin - you have signed up to run 26.2 miles.

WHY ON EARTH DID YOU DECIDE TO REGISTER TO RUN 26.2 MILES?

The challenge.

Gawd, that's such an actor answer. "Why did you do the project, famous person?"

Oh, the challenge.

Wow, that's deep.

But then there is Mikey. There's a reason. National Autistic Society. When Mikey was diagnosed as autistic it seemed like the world was all strange. Here was my youngest brother who by all standards normal claimed abnormal. He didn't look it, and for a long time he just seemed a bit slow. But as time progressed so came the fixations and speech issues and desire to do as he felt regardless of society.

And from that grew the variations, or the "spectrum." The sudden understanding that autism isn't just one thing. After awhile, you sort of envy cancer. Cancer can kill you, and there is a series of treatments which almost everyone can comprehend. Sometimes you live, sometimes you die. It all depends on type and severity. But with autism, well, there is such a broad level. They don't know what causes it for sure. They don't know if there is a cure. But what they do know is that these people, and all their levels, need patience, understanding, and support.

So NAS exists for that reason. And not just for Mikey. It exists for family like me. So I can explain the condition to others and hope people not only understand but appreciate it.

*Cough*