The running total so far across all events is an amazing £34,173
Thank you to all those who have supported us! If you would like to help us increase this target further, please either scroll down to see details of our specific events, or alternatively visit our generic (non specific event) Just Giving Page here:
Well never ever did I think we’d manage to arrange such an eclectic array of fundraising activities; from sporting events to book launches, and a whole lot of other things in between! The below paragraphs tell you a bit about what we’ve done already and shares some fundraising pages too. As you’ll see, a lot’s been going on! That said, I’m always on the lookout for new ideas, so if you think of something, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Events in Flight
Ongoing fundraising
In Summer 2021, I launched my very own book! Whilst raising money is obviously a great by product, my intial hope with the book was to reach out to help others who are going through/have been through what we did In our Shoes is available to buy on Amazon and the profits from book sales will be split across a number of childhood cancer charities. What an honour to be published!
It has also been a huge honour to receive some support and endorsement from celebrities, one in particular has been kind enough to send some merchandise to help raise funds for Team Jess. Massive thanks to Dame Jess Ennis Hill for sending through a signed Rio Olympic vest, details of which you can find here . We look forward to auctioning it off very soon!
A few people have reached out recently, with donations they’d like to make to Team Jess, but don’t know how best to donate it; perhaps charitable donations instead of sending cards, or perhaps donations to say thank you for good will gestures. For reasons like those above, I’ve set up a Generic Team Jess Just Giving page, so people can support us without choosing a specific event. Please click the link above if you’d like to add to the pot for Children with Cancer UK.
It’s nice to be able to support charities all the time, as well as through big events. Recently, I’ve discovered an app called Ziffit, which enables you to sell unwanted things and donate the proceeds to charity. If you want to do the same, you can find the link here.
Completed Fundraising
There are so many good causes to support; examples of those we have helped so far are LGI Ward 31 itself, where Jessica spent 3 weeks. Fundraising for them allows vital resources for inpatients to keep their spirits up whilst enduring the gruelling treatments of being an inpatient. This includes games, arts and crafts etc. We were also keen to support Candlelighters who do a phenomenal job of supporting patients and families alike with practical advice and well being activities, and we raised over £10k for these two causes through Jess’ funeral and a number of direct donations (including from Jess’ school friends’ fundraising too). Children with Cancer UK has been another charity we’ve supported . This charity funds vital research to drive survival rates up and reduce the burden of toxicity, so it’s a super charity to support and one close to my heart.
In early autumn 2020, Jess’ grandad completed the phenomenal challenge of a 5.25 mile open water swim, raising over £2000 for Children with Cancer UK. You can read more about the completed challenge here. Jess’ 9 year old school friend, Jack, also completed a swimathon, swimming 1500m for Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie. You can read more about his completed challenge here
Jess’ big brother (A.K.A. Mr Weaver as he calls himself in some circles!) hosted a 12 hour gaming event on the 14th November 2020 to raise funds for Children with Cancer UK, details of which can be found here. Mr Weaver blogs about all of his exploits (fundraising related and otherwise) on his very own website. Wow! Go Oliver! A real achievement to launch something like that at the tender age of 11😀.
A number of Jess’ friends and school have also completed fundraising events in memory of Jess. 😀. You can read about one of the school fundraising fancy dress days here. Additionally, we had a super day with the school when they organised their very own Mini Marathon, with fundraising going to Children with Cancer UK. Massive thanks to them for all they’ve done ! You can click on the link here to find out more. Go Westerton! – Team Jess
It took a long time coming due to COVID 19 restrictions (and meant we additionally completed a virtual team run on the 27th September 2020), but we finally completed the Sheffield 10k on the 26th September 2021. Running in my home town, with a bunch of fab friends whilst raising over £5k for Children with Cancer UK. What a fab day! Read more about it here.
Massive thanks to a great friend of mine, Lynsey Taylor, who ran the Liverpool 2021 Marathon on 24th October 2021. That’s a whole 26 miles, or four 10k runs! WOW! Lynsey raised over £1000 for Children with Cancer UK. And to all those I know who ran the London Marathon 2021 in memory of Jess. What an amazing distance and result. Thank you!
Finally, I can’t forget the amazing group of friends who’ve helped fundraise and keep Jess’ memory alive at the Year 6 Leavers’ Celebrations. Jess would have loved the day had she been here, so to have her there in spirit was such a lovely gesture. Thank you 😀.