Small Step Matters’ Post

🌊 Join Us in Making a Difference! 🌊 We're thrilled to share an inspiring initiative that combines athleticism, philanthropy, and community support. Pascal Ducray, an accomplished athlete, is taking on an extraordinary challenge: swimming across the Strait of Gibraltar from Europe to Africa to raise funds for the CP Family association, which supports children with cerebral palsy. 🗓️ Dates: July 22nd - July 30th, 2024 (depending on the weather) 🏊♂️ Distance: 16-17 kilometers  ⏱️ Target Time: 3 hours and 50 minutes About CP Family: Led by Sarah Bathfield, CP Family is dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals affected by cerebral palsy. Through various forms of support and advocacy, they provide essential customized equipment like adapted wheelchairs to enhance mobility and independence for children. Why Support This Initiative?  By contributing to this cause, your company can play a pivotal role in enhancing the lives of children with cerebral palsy. This project aligns perfectly with CSR objectives by demonstrating a commitment to social responsibility, community support, and making a tangible difference in the lives of those in need. How You Can Help: 👉Corporate Sponsorship: Partner with us to showcase your company's dedication to social good and community support. 👉Individual Contributions: Every donation, no matter the size, makes a significant impact. 👉Spread the Word: Share our campaign with your network to help us reach more people and maximize our impact. Ready to Make a Difference? Click the link to donate and support Pascal's swim for CP Family: https://lnkd.in/duXS8rKB Together, we can empower these children and make strides towards a more inclusive society. Thank you for your support! 💙 #CSR #CerebralPalsy #Charity #Philanthropy #CommunitySupport #PascalDucray #CPFamily #Inclusion #CorporateResponsibility

Video 1 of 5 update The story Waitrose & Partners #Waitrose Sunflowers Childrens Action Group My Brother Steve Stansfield Charity Swim I will be supporting my brother as part of the support crew and will keep people posted live On 27th July 2024 (weather dependent) (Steve says)will be swimming from Spurn Point, to Brighton Slipway, Cleethorpes (tide dependent). To achieve this, I will be swimming, as the tide goes out which will push me out into the North Sea, continuing south across a fast water channel and swimming into Cleethorpes as the tide comes in. This has been an itch that I have needed to scratch for a few years now! The approximate 3-4 hour swim, is in aid of the local Sunflowers Children’s Action Group. This is a small, volunteer run, local charity formed in 2019 to create special, inclusive activities for children who suffer from Life -limiting and/or life-threatening conditions. I have volunteered for the Sunflowers since its inception and have seen first hand how much the children enjoy the parties and many events which the Sunflowers group hold for the families throughout each year. Due to the children’s life limiting/life threatening conditions they often miss out on parties and special events and many endure harsh and painful treatments. Most have lengthy school absences and lack quality time with families and friends. The children may suffer every day for the rest of their lives and sadly, some face the prospect of much shortened lives. I have been open water swimming for a few years now, in Cleethorpes, long distances in the Lake District and Dock races. It’s taken 3 years of training to get to this point, having to pause to overcome open heart surgery. However, I am determined to achieve my goal to swim the Humber mouth and raise some much needed funds for Sunflowers Christmas party. Please donate what you can using the link below and put a smile on the children and their families faces. For our corporate friends please find the Sunflowers bank details: Sunflower Children’s Action Group Account Number: 53637417 Sort Code: 20-63-28 A receipt or pro-forma is available on request. Corporate donations Many thanks for your support 😀 Link below 👇 for Charity and above details for corporate sponsors https://lnkd.in/ehwFgRfB Steve Stansfield Richard Stansfield Reece Stansfield Ellis Stansfield Sunflowers Childrens Action Group

Phew, can you believe the summer is almost over?! In a short few weeks, my daughter Aragsan and I will head back to #Rwanda, and Ishyaka Swim Club will start practice! As we get close, our team shirts have arrived, and donated funds have also helped purchase equipment from our Amazon wish list which were not donated by others. So, what else is going on, you may ask. While Aragsan has been training in the U.S. this summer, her father has been holding down the fort in Rwanda, where he is getting the team ready to hit the ground (OK, water!) at the beginning of September: 1. A dynamic coach, whose #passion has led him to coach on volunteer basis for years, has been brought on board, and will at long last earn a salary for his hard work. 2. Team roster is being finalized, and enthusiastic to start practice. 3. Swimming facilities are being identified for regular practice. In short, everything is being lined up so that as soon as September arrives, we're ready to show Rwanda what Ishyaka - the team of "determination" - is made of. We can only continue to say "Murakoze" - "Thank you" - for your kind support. Want to continue helping out? Share with your network that people can: 1. Donate funds on GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/743f7071 2. Donate equipment (quickly! We leave on 26 August!) from our Amazon wish list: https://lnkd.in/dUV_E4_U #swimmer #rwandaswimming #thinkbig #fundraising

This is probably the biggest personal challenge that anyone has ever set for Sunflowers Childrens Action Group Steve Stansfield has volunteered for Sunflowers and supported the families since we started in 2019. Says Steve: "On 27th July 2024 (weather dependent) I will be swimming from Spurn Point, to Brighton Slipway, Cleethorpes (tide dependent). To achieve this, I will be swimming, as the tide goes out which will push me out into the North Sea, continuing south across a fast water channel and swimming into Cleethorpes as the tide comes in. This has been an itch that I have needed to scratch for a few years now! The approximate 3 hour swim, is in aid of the local Sunflowers Children’s Action Group. This is a small, volunteer run, local charity formed in 2019 to create special, inclusive activities for children who suffer from life -limiting and/or life-threatening conditions. I have volunteered for the Sunflowers since its inception and have seen first hand how much the children enjoy the parties and many events which the Sunflowers group hold for the families throughout each year. Due to the children’s life limiting/life threatening conditions they often miss out on parties and special events and many endure harsh and painful treatments. Most have lengthy school absences and lack quality time with families and friends. The children may suffer every day for the rest of their lives and sadly, some face the prospect of much shortened lives. I have been open water swimming for a few years now, in Cleethorpes, long distances in the Lake District and Dock races. It’s taken 3 years of training to get to this point, having to pause to overcome open heart surgery. However, I am determined to achieve my goal to swim the Humber mouth and raise some much needed funds for Sunflowers Christmas party. Please donate what you can using the link below and put a smile on the children and their families faces." Steve is also seeking the support of corporate contacts, and we would be delighted to provide receipts/pro forma invoices for those who feel able to support Steve in his mission. Please help share this, and if you can, please donate. Every £200 that Steve is able to raise will provide a family with the most memorable experience at Christmas as they enjoy our incredible Christmas event with Santa, activities, wonderful buffet, elf band, gifts, sweet stall, crafts and much, much more. Here is the link to his Justgiving page: https://lnkd.in/gAZR2AAf Thank you for your support.

For many people, summer means more time in and around water. Water-based recreation is a great way to stay cool in warm weather, but any program engaging kids with swimming or other water sports should be prepared to keep them safe. This means boosting water competency among participants and staff and planning ahead for emergencies.  #SummerRecreation #SwimEducation #SwimSafety #Tankproof #LaruBeyaCollective #USASwimming #WaterRecreation #WaterSafety #YouthSwimming https://lnkd.in/gYvydZwv

A plea for support. I am writing on behalf of Jersey DIPS Swim Therapy, a small but impactful registered charity (AJC Membership Number: AJC79 / Registered Charity Number: 083) that has been serving our community since 1982. Our mission is to provide access to water therapy, which has proven benefits for physical and psychological rehabilitation, particularly for those with mobility challenges or recovering from surgery. At Jersey Dips Swim Therapy, we are deeply committed to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and diverse environment for our local community. We operate out of the heated therapy pool at Mont à l’Abbé School, offering sessions twice a week for a modest membership fee of £25 per annum and £3 per swim. These affordable rates ensure accessibility for our members, many of whom rely on these sessions to enhance their health. Our sessions provide a safe, welcoming space where all individuals feel valued and respected. By championing diversity and accessibility, we strive to create a community that celebrates differences while supporting the health and well-being of every member. The Challenge: To continue providing these vital services, we face several challenges:     •    Rising operational costs: Our annual running costs amount to £4,000, covering pool access, lifeguards, insurance, and other essential expenses.     •    Difficulty reaching new members: Marketing to raise awareness and attract new members is vital for our sustainability, but the costs involved are beyond our current financial capacity.     •    Lack of government funding: We rely entirely on fundraising and community support to maintain our services. Despite these hurdles, we remain committed to keeping our services affordable while working to increase our presence and attract new members through targeted outreach efforts. How You Can Help: We would be immensely grateful if your organisation would kindly consider supporting us in one or more of the following ways:     1.   Fundraising initiatives or donations to help cover our operational costs and marketing efforts.     2.   An opportunity to present to your CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) or DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) committee about how your contributions can directly impact our charity and the local community. Your support would ensure that we can continue providing this much-needed service to our members while expanding our reach and encouraging broader participation in water therapy. If you would like to discuss this further or require more information, please feel free to contact me. Kind Regards Ry Ryan Williams, Vice Chair, Jersey DIPS, ryan@jerseydips.com https://lnkd.in/dUCzqsk

Swimming for Hope: Support The Well This Boxing Day" 🌟 This holiday season, we’re swimming for more than awareness—we’re swimming to save lives. 🌟 💔 Holidays amplify grief: Anniversaries of a passing and the holiday season can be especially difficult for many. 📊 The Well’s impact: Since our last swim, we’ve supported over 400 people, often at 3, 4 & 5 AM, providing immediate care. 👥 Who we help: We see people of all ages—fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, friends. Struggles don’t have an age limit, and pain can surface at any time, whether it’s triggered by anniversaries, holidays, or personal battles. Every story is unique, but every person deserves hope. 🚨 Breaking barriers: Most clients have either seen no one or were left waiting in systems ill-equipped to handle immediate crisis. Waiting lists aren’t an option for someone fighting hopelessness today. ❤️ Hope is vital, and every donation from this swim keeps us on the frontline, ready to provide the right support at the right time. Can’t attend? 📢 Please donate and share this post! Let’s spread hope together. 💙 #Swimming #Boxingday https://buff.ly/4gBd4ab

Bike Swaps in May 2024 Edmonton Bike Swaps - what’s new, what’s old, and how you can help us help others. 01 May 2024 - Alberta Bike Swap was founded in 2011 to provide a safe place to buy, sell, and donate bikes. Over the last 13 years Chris and Laura Grant have swapped thousands of tech-checked and serial-number recorded bikes. They’ve also been a conduit for thousands of donated bikes and they fund safe cycling in Alberta through the only recognized and standardized cycling education program – CAN-BIKE. What’s new? 1. There are two Edmonton Bike Swap events: May 11 at MacEwan University north side underground parking lot 10803 – 105 Ave NW and June 8 at CCT Golf Dome 11925 Kingsway NW. 2. Alberta Bike Swap is hosting a bike donation drive for Sports Central at both Edmonton Bike Swaps; 3. Alberta Bike Swap is building the CAN-BIKE certified effective cycling instructor base for the next generation. The first stage is a Level 4 Course May 25-26 and the Instructor Workshop May 30 - June 2. What’s old? This is still old: Ask anyone in Alberta whether they’ve heard about Alberta Bike Swap and you’ll typically get, “yes, I’ve heard of them”. This is getting really old, so please help us get the word out. What’s important? Alberta Bike Swap are honoured to be Bike Index Ambassadors and will continue preventing the selling and buying of stolen bikes; Sport Central’s mission is to empower kids, one piece of sports equipment at a time. The power of a bike is not limited to the hours of enjoyment a kid will experience, but also opens a new world of independence, physical activity, and offers an additional method of transportation. Last year, Sport Central Association saw a 48% increase in utilization of their services. The Bike program alone saw a 70% increase, and this is where you come in – please consider donating your outgrown or unused bicycles at either Edmonton Bike Swap or one of their other 46 donation locations so these bikes can go to those in need. #bikes #bikeswap #alberta Laura Grant https://lnkd.in/gPDCSjU2

Please have a read of this post, a great effort been put in by these two! If you can spare some money please donate, and share the post so more people see what they are doing.

🚨 Support Our First Responders and Their Families! 🚨 In 120 days, along with my Team mates I will be taking on the 19.2 km Rottnest Channel Swim Association in the Lavan #Charity #Challenge to raise awareness and funds for Fortem Australia, a vital organisation providing mental health support and resources for Australia’s first responders and their families. 🚒🚓🚑 Our first responders face immense challenges every day, and Fortem Australia ensures they receive the support and mental health services they need. But we can’t do it alone—we need YOUR help! We’re calling for donations and looking for businesses to partner with us. We have a range of sponsorship packages available for those who want to support this important cause and make a real difference in the lives of these heroes and most importantly, their families. 💡 How you can help: #Donate: Every dollar counts! #Partnerwithus: Explore sponsorship opportunities to get involved. #Share: Spread the word and help us raise awareness. By supporting us in this challenge, you’ll be directly contributing to mental health initiatives that help first responders and their families thrive. Let’s dive in together to show our support! 🌊🙌 #SupportFirstResponders #RottnestChannelSwim #FortemAustralia #MentalHealthMatters #StrongerTogether #CommunitySupport #BusinessPartnerships #SwimmingForACause Not sorry - Darren Henstock Nichole Maassen Carol Gobby, GAICD Laura Prael John Bale Maurice [Mo] Sauzier Trent Clouston MBCI Simon Petie Simon Wood John McNeil Brice William Scott Randall Smith Jason Fraser Shane Britten Lara Chambers Jordan Sitaram