Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research (SMSR) Ambassador, Heidi Herkes, is appealing to the local community to get behind a new '24in24' fundraising campaign by penning a poem to encourage people to ‘do more in 24’ to support the spinal cord injury (SCI) community.

Passionate disability advocate, style guru, vlogger and blogger, Heidi, who was left paralysed after she fell down the stairs in 2014, is inspiring others to take on the challenge in her own unique way through a simple poem:

24 minutes a day playing drums or

24 days in a month doing sums,

24 cups to brew for your mates, or

24 pounds to lose from your waist.

24 miles to run, wheel, or skate, or

24 quid each month to donate.

Whatever you do will help in so many ways,

To help people like me so sign up today!

By getting involved, individuals, schools, and businesses, are invited to create their own unique fundraising challenge; whether it's getting sponsored to do something for 24 minutes a day, 24 hours over a month, or taking on 24 fun activities throughout the year – the choice is yours!

Commenting on the campaign, Heidi, said: “This is such a fun and flexible way to raise funds for this fantastic charity - and the team have lots of ideas to help and support you so please get involved in any way you can. Research really can help improve my quality of life. Thank you!"

Kate Favell, SMSR Community & Corporate Fundraiser, explained: “Simple ideas could include if you’re celebrating a 24th birthday, in lieu of gifts, why not set up a fundraising page through JustGiving or Facebook and invite friends and family to donate towards much needed research into the health complications of SCI.

“Perhaps you’re a business celebrating your 24th birthday this year, an office team of 24 looking to support a worthwhile cause, or a school looking to sign up to a ‘24in24’ challenge as part of a disability awareness week or sports day activity, whatever your reason for getting involved, we’d love to hear from you, and help promote your brilliant challenge.”

How it works

Kate added: “Each month on our website, we’ll be posting an exciting list of fundraising ideas and tips to suit all ages so those taking on our ‘24in24’ challenge can have fun, get fit, or try something completely new whilst fundraising to support our work in helping the 50,000 people currently living with SCI in the UK.”

To find out more, email [email protected] or visit: https://www.lifeafterparalysis.com -ENDS-

 

For information, please contact Sam Heggie, PR & Communications:

Mob: 07951 761171 Email: [email protected]

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