23.5 DEGREES LIMITED’s Post

100 Mile Challenge With nearly just over a month till we start our 100 Mile Challenge. What is it: A self propelled challenge where you aim to walking/running/paddle/swim 100 Miles or more in three months. The challenge is challenge by choice, so you get to choose what level you want to do over the three months. When does it run: The challenge starts on January 01st and finishes March 31st 2025 How much is it: There is no cost, it is absolutely FREE. But this year we are raising donations for Maggie's Newcastle so a donation or your help to raise donations would be very appreciated Who is it for: Everyone, there is no age limit anyone and everyone can get involved Where is it: The challenge can be done anywhere, in your local area, further afield or anywhere you want Why would I take part: The 100 Mile Challenge encourages you to get outside and exercise during the coldest and darkest three months of the year. Research has proven that you only have to complete 30 minutes of vigorous walking for three months to irreversibly reduce long term disease on your body. Exercise during colder months has been proven to increase the benefits on your body. Exercise has also been proven to be very beneficial for Mental Health and Wellbeing as well as Physical Wellbeing. How do you get involved: Join our 100 Mile Challenge Community for your information pack and fantastic support throughout the challenge. Follow the link to join our 100 Mile Challenge community and receive your information pack and fantastic support throughout the challenge. https://lnkd.in/eVXScZa4

This picture is from a ride I did a few weeks ago, and I think it relates very much to my charity project... 👇 "Opportunities don't happen, you create them" As you might know, I am carrying out, all through this year, a very special project: #505. To celebrate my 50th birthday (which was a few weeks ago), I am taking on 5 epic cycling challenges in hopes of raising £5,000 for The William Wates Memorial Trust. WWMT supports around 20-25 charity projects focused on helping young people in really tough situations. Right now there are 21 different charities under their umbrella doing incredible work across the UK, with activities that range from education, arts, work skills and sports. You can see the full list on their website: https://buff.ly/3UnMqZB These charities provide crucial resources, support, and opportunities for kids and teens facing major challenges like poverty, homelessness, abuse, and more. A harsh reality that no one should ever face, but that we can help to change. Having raised funds and volunteered with WWMT before, I can confirm that the impact of their work is immeasurable and deeply inspiring. And, by chipping in whatever you can to my fundraiser, you'll be helping WWMT keep these lifelines up and running. Opportunities don't happen, we create them. And we can do that for those who desperately need them. Even a few bucks goes a long way when we all come together. The more we can raise, the more young lives get impacted in a positive way during their darkest times. So if you've got some spare change lying around, or just feel like kicking in what you can, it would mean the world. Let's make this Friday extra rewarding: https://buff.ly/3V76hNC

The CSJ Foundation report: Our report found that the vast majority of charitable funding in the UK is skewed towards a small number of large charities at the top, as 85 per cent of all funding goes to just 4 per cent of all registered charities. In addition, the great impact of grassroots organisations is under-appreciated by many. Anxious Minds: Is this a misuse of the charity sector? It is extremely difficult to secure funding for professional mental health support #charitysector #northeast #mentalhealth

Reading this and intrigued about what you and your business could do to bring about change? DM, comment below or follow us on socials. Together, we can end homelessness

One way to keep the children busy over the holidays and reclaim your home from the clutter is to get them involved in your mission to create more space. Here are a few tips to help you get started. 👇 1) 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺𝘀 - By asking them to make the choices themselves, they will feel happier and more in control of the decluttering process. 😁 2) 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗸𝗶𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗮 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 - This will help them feel more positive about saying goodbye to things they care about and teach them a valuable lesson about those who are less fortunate than them. 😍 3) 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 - One way to get the kids on board is to set small tasks they can complete for a treat or reward. Setting challenges like this throughout the summer holidays spreads the workload and will help you make some real progress at home. 🤩 Do you have a pile of pre-loved clothes, toys, and bric-a-brac ready to donate? Head to https://lnkd.in/gt9np8AF now and select a charity you and your kids would like to support. 🙏 #Declutter #Donate #Fundraise #Recycle

A tip for your resilience - meet people who inspire you regularly - especially if they’re doing something you really care about, brilliantly. I had a really great lunch with new friend Louise Goulden , Founder of The Together Project yesterday, and it got me in a reflective mood. Hearing what she’s built in a few years, and how brilliantly her charity is evolving to meet new and changing needs was really inspiring. It also made me a bit sad, thinking of what the potential of The Cares Family could have been if there weren’t such deep issues when I joined just over a year ago. What I especially admire about Louise’s approach is the commitment to: - Challenging stereotypes of who gets lonely through actions, not words - they’re working with a wide range of people and innovating to broaden access even more - Applying rigour to understanding what works and why, working to understand if scaling is the right thing and meeting a need, and reflecting on how well things work so they can be developed further - Ensuring the ‘boring stuff’ gets the skill and attention it needs, paying vigilant attention to finances, risk, and all that stuff, and ensuring the people leading this have the expertise to do this essential work Over lunch, we chatted a bit about what I learned through the Cares closure. I’ve not talked much about my experiences of last year to people I didn’t know at the time - I’m reticent to dwell overly on the pain and sadness of that time, but I do want to make sure that what happened helps others to avoid the same pitfalls. It’s never just a ‘fundraising problem’, as the common narrative about closures tends to go. It gave me such hope and joy to hear about a charity doing something very similar to the one I briefly led, but with some different approaches that I think will sustain its impact and resilience. Brilliant. P.S: like all charities, The Together project needs your support. Here’s more info about them, and how you can donate

The End of (a) Charity? I have recently finished listening to the Third Sector thought provoking podcast series 'The End of Charity’. This questions the future of our present model of charities given all the existential challenges that currently exist. One of the interesting points the series picks up on is that some charities don’t actually want to exist. The example featured is the food bank charity the The Trussell Trust. Indeed, their vision is ‘for a future without the need for food banks.’ Whereas most charities measure their success by the scale and scope of their impact, their CEO Emma Revie sees the ever increasing numbers they support as a negative sign of the societal failure to tackle food poverty. She expressly says that they do not want to, or think they should be around for years to come. By contrast, other charities are realistically never going to close because the need will no longer be there, or another agency, presumably part of the state, has taken complete responsibility for it. For example, those working in mental health or end-of-life care. Sadly, the current environment means that the number of charities closing for financial reasons is on the rise. But Emma’s words made me wonder how many charities have closed because the need or issue they existed for is 'solved'? And if the charity played a key role in that happening. I’d be interested to hear of any examples. 

Wills Month - you will have started seeing all the posts/advertising from charities about Wills month and for good reason. The large international charities get 80% of their income from Bequests and in NZ that equates to around $200 million going out in bequests every year! I am on a mission to help small charities and community groups such as sports clubs, churches, schools and service groups to understand the importance of offering an ethical and donor centered Bequest programme as a donating solution to their supporters. With grants funding getting harder to get and government funding drying up rapidly, groups need to look at better ways to fund the programmes their groups do that make such a positive difference in our communities. I believe the real change in society happens at a grassroots level - this is why ensuring they have funding and supporter connection is so important to me. To help people plan for the later stages I give the organisations I work with a free 32 page resource to help their people and I am offering it free this month to ANYONE who needs to get sorted - or have parents who need to get sorted. Flick me an email and I will send you the PDF of the "Your Complete Life and Legacy Guide" people are blown away by how useful it is and I have challenged them to find anything that is missing but no one has yet. Get your copy and let me know if you think there is anything missing. fiona@georgeconsultancy.co.nz

Columbia Threadneedle Foundation works with inspiring charity partners to improve individual lives while also driving long-term social change through the power of art, sport and education as catalysts for transformation. In 2024, the Foundation continued supporting its long-term charity partners Clean Break Theatre Company, Access Sport, The National Gallery, Bounce Back Project and AT The Bus helping them to deliver their vital work. In addition, Columbia Threadneedle awarded a number of grants to support charities within the communities in which we live and work. Our employees also played an important role, dedicating their time and skills to volunteer for worthwhile causes. https://bit.ly/4fuxikp

Care and Share: Spread the warmth this winter No one should face Christmas alone. This winter, over 500 people in Lancashire will receive care packages—a lifeline of warmth, comfort, and connection during the coldest months. For just £10, you can sponsor a package filled with thoughtful gifts, practical items, and a message of hope. Your support ensures that someone in need feels seen, valued, and cared for this winter. How You Can Help Donate: Every £10 sponsors a care package for someone facing a difficult winter. Sponsor one, two, or more to make a bigger impact. Fundraise: Start a fundraiser or share our campaign to involve friends and family. Spread the Word: Share this page to help us reach more people and deliver even more care packages. What’s Inside Each Package? Each package brings: 🌟 Comfort: Treats and items to brighten their winter days. 🛠️ Support: Practical essentials to ease the challenges of the season. 💌 Hope: A message reminding them they are not alone. 🎁 Joy: Festive surprises to bring a smile to their face. The Difference You Make £10 = 1 care package, bringing warmth to one person. £20 = 2 care packages, doubling the impact. £50 = 5 care packages, spreading even more joy. £100 = 10 care packages, creating a ripple effect of hope and connection. Be Someone’s Secret Santa Click https://lnkd.in/dgtpeRMm to sponsor a care package and share the warmth this winter. Let’s ensure no one in our community feels forgotten. Together, we can make this season brighter for everyone.