There comes a
point in trying to achieve any goal that fatigue set in.
Physical
fatigue. Mental fatigue. And for me – Fundraising fatigue.
Trying to
raise $15,000 along with flights and accommodation is the hardest work that I
have ever done. The last few weeks I have had to take some time away from it
all. Some time that I have invested in what is most important to me. That is my
family and my life. But knowing I still
had $7000 to raise in such a short time, it played on my mind like a bad debt.
I struggle to think past it and I am constantly thinking about how I am going
to get the money to cover the rides.
Typically I
spend every available moment of my spare time thinking, planning or doing
fundraising for Ride to Conquer Cancer. It is my third full time job! But it is
similar to my job as a mum. It never stops. It keeps me awake at night. And
often it feels like a thankless job. Yes - people sing my praises based on what
they see from the outside but some also feel they have the right to judge your downfalls.
Hard work!
It is also
the biggest challenge that I have set myself. I have said it many times before
– I really struggle with the concept of asking anyone for anything. I even
struggle with accepting offers to help. Yes – Fundraising sits way outside of
my comfort zone. But so did riding my bike.
So I have accepted that I won’t do it all this year. I won’t raise the $15,000
and I won’t complete the Grand Slam that I thought I would. On the flipside, I
will achieve much more. I will raise at least $10,000 that will benefit 4
different cancer research institutes in Australia and I will be travelling to
at least 3 different states to complete the RTCC. I am not quitting – it is
just what it is! I can’t ride unless I raise the money … simple.
Accepting
this now allows me to get back to the Reason I Ride. I ride to raise funds and
awareness for what Cancer Research will achieve. BUT I ride for my Angels and Fighters.
To be honest, this is the biggest reward of why I do what I do. To get on my
bike, to look down at my ribbons, to know what it means to my Fighters and the
families of my Angels and to be told “thank you” is more than enough for me. And I promise that on the weekends of October 19 - 20 and Novmebr 16 - 17 I will ride the distance that my team mates will be riding and I will Ride to Conquer!
No-one will
remember how much money I raised this year. No-one will remember how many rides
I did. But what they will remember is the Reason I Ride. I don’t do this to
break records, to get PB’s. I do it for those who can’t.
At this
stage, I still have $2500 to qualify for Adelaide. This is the last ride of the
year and one that I will not miss. I started this Grand Slam attempt in
Brisbane and I will finish in Adelaide. And in the process I will tick off
Sydney and in Melbourne where I get to ride proudly with my home team –
Fighting Back.
I have one more
event planned to try and get as much money raised as possible. I call it our
Epic Impact Day. I have planned this day to be a little bit of fun and a
celebration for what we all achieved together. Without the support from the people
around me, I could not have achieved what I have. So this day will be a chance
for me to catch my breath, dispel the fatigue and actually say thanks to those
who have helped me along the way. Yes, there will be a cost to attend – but 100%
of that is going to Ride to Conquer. It will help my hubby join me in Melbourne
so he can ride for his brother and it will also go a long way to covering
Adelaide so I can finish what I started.
And I have to
thank Liv/giant Australia again for what they have done to support me along the
way. For those who don’t know, Liv/giant donated a total of 5 family bikes to
assist my fundraising. These have been used for raffles to raise money and so
far 2 bike have been raffled to raise a total of $1350. We still have 3 bikes
to raffle – so stay tuned for details on that.
A massive thanks
also needs to go to Vince and his partner Di. They knew the battle I was facing
and took it upon themselves to throw a fundraising day in Vince’s home town
Hervey Bay. Held at the Craignish Country Club, almost $5000 was raised on this
day that saw me qualify for Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne and give Mello a
good boost with his Melbourne ride.
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| It is also called money :) |
