Saturday 27 December 2014

Merry Christmas!!!

Erm, well, I kind of forgot the log-in details for this blog page. Nevertheless, here I am more than 2 months later at the end of the year filling you in with how my fundraising has gone. 

October

By the end of October my running total was £1894.32. Most of my money that month was made up of pet-sitting and my wages from work - that's as exciting as it gets my friends!

November

At the end of November my total stood at £2146.97 (where these random endings come from I have no idea!) This month I made £67.40 selling bits and bobs at local school fates (the one I did was a firework night), I made another £40.25 selling teas, sweets and biscuits at my brothers football matches every Sunday which is a great money earner! Then I also had £15 worth of donations and £130 wages from work. 

December

Now we get to this month, December has been such a booster month for me and I'm so lucky! I have my birthday in December and a majority of my birthday money went to my fund - £210 to be exact. I then ran a stall at my local schools Christmas fayre (I know, I forget to take pictures of these things...) and I raised £55.45 by offering an array of games and activities such as icing digestive biscuits - because who didn't love doing that as a child eh? 

I then made £51.00 selling items again mum managed to get hold of lots of lovely items for us to sell including Yankee Candles, Body Shop products and Soap & Glory products. 

Christmas was also a huge help this month as I received £300 from family and friends which I'm so grateful for - holding myself back from spending that in Urban Outfitters was INCREDIBLY hard but I fought and held myself back. 

I am still awaiting my wages for this month (I get paid on the last day of the month) and hopefully that will be around £100 raising me to ~£2,900 so fingers crossed. 


I am hugely grateful to all of my friends and family and just so you know, I didn't get presents as well as the money - I specifically asked for money instead of presents this year so I could get this paid off a bit quicker!

We also know that from now on my New Year's resolution is to take photos when I'm fundraising! After all, this is the whole reason I started this blog! What a lemon..

Anyway enough of my rambling, MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

xx

Saturday 18 October 2014

I'm Back - Better Late Than Never!

Well, this is a belated post - isn't it? After starting sixth form at the start of September, I've been showered with deadlines and due dates I haven't had time to put my school work down. However, instead of sitting on the sofa stuffing my face with unhealthy food watching X-Factor on a Saturday night, I thought I should probably update this blog. 

Because of school my fundraising has slowed down a little just while I get into the swing of A-Levels. But in September I managed to raise £188.10 bringing my total to £1645.20. This £188.10 was made up from £125 wages, £60 in donations and £3.10 misc.



I'm still planning my main winter events which is exciting. I'm running a talent show at school alongside some fellow expeditionees which will hopefully be a success and take place sometime in Jan/Feb 2015. Then I am planning my own events to run over the winter months. I'm hoping to run a Borneo Bingo night and then a Coffee Morning sometime soon. 

With it currently being mid-way through October, I've raised an additional £89.61 bringing my running total to £1734.81. Football season is back and therefore I'm running my tuck-shop again; in the first week I raised £32.95 from selling sweets and drinks under this rather fancy pagoda that conveniently appeared on the field where my brother plays his footie matches - result! We also saw the return of Barney & Poppy, the two cats who I have looked after multiple times now and got paid £25 for letting them out of the house and feeding them for a few days. 



I'm also giving a special mention to Anicka and Salma who both emailed me unsure about whether to partake in a Camps International expedition as they were put off by the fundraising and were unsure how and where to start. Hopefully, you guys are really thinking about taking part as it's definitely worth it and I hope my email motivated you in some way! 

Good luck to anyone who is fundraising at the moment and remember I'm just an email or a comment away if you want anyone to talk to about the expedition/fundraising - just click the 'Contact Me' tab at the top of this page. As well as me, don't forget there is both Sophie and Rachael at Camps International HQ who will be happy to talk to you regardless.

Happy fundraising!

....hopefully there won't be such a long delay for my next post.

Friday 5 September 2014

What I've Been Up To: The Rest of August

With August now ended and the summer holidays over, it has been the end of a bumper month for me. During the month of August I managed to raise £826.25 in total doing lots of various things including my sponsored trek. My sponsored trek was were a majority of the money came from raising £344.

However, after my sponsored walk I did a few extra things to earn some more money during my time off before returning to school and starting sixth form. I posted several flyers around my local streets informing people of the trip I'm doing and told them how I'm raising money to get there. Through delivering about 100 leaflets, some of my neighbours asked me if I would look after their pets, plants and houses whilst they go anyway on their holidays. By looking after peoples pets, gardens and houses I managed to raise £180.

August 21st a.k.a Results Day, saw some benefits too! As well as earning 2 As, 5 Bs and a C, I was rewarded with £60 towards my trip by my mum.

I also received my August wages, after keeping a little for myself, I was left with £90 to add to my expedition fund. Mum also ran a carboot for me as I was unavailable to go and raised me £63.25 which I was very grateful for!

Finally, I had £15.00 donated to my expedition, baked an 18th birthday cake for £34.00 and I am also currently in the process of painting some fences for one of my mums friends and she has paid be £40.00 for the work I have done so far!

x

Tuesday 12 August 2014

Sponsored Trek Success!

You may or may not have known that on the 6th of August I did a 25.7 mile trek around Rutland Water. Despite the fact that I was absolutely knackered within the first 10-11 miles, I pushed on like a trooper and finished the entire walk taking just over 8 and a half hours, or 510 minutes, phew! I arranged the walk myself alongside a fellow fundraiser Louis. Doing a personal challenge like this is a great way to fundraise and you get such a sense of achievement at the end. I raised £344.50 and people are still giving me donations!

We walked the entire red dotted line, which doesn't look like much, but boy was it!
I also attempted to 'vlog' the walk but that was a total fail. I have half of the footage but nothing at the end as I was too sore, exhausted and emotional to even think about turning a camera on! However, I did take some jolly good photos for your eyes to see!

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I was so grateful to everyone who sponsored me. Though I'm glad I never have to do it again as my muscles ached so much the day after and Louis hurt the muscles in his ankle! It's so easy to arrange your own sponsored trek, all you need to do is: 

1. Find a date well in advance that you/you and your fellow expeditionees are free.

2. Find a location and set the distance you want to walk, the longer the distance, the more of a challenge it will be! I would recommend avoiding busy roads and motorways; stick to designated foot paths and public byways. 

3. Log-in to the resources page using the link http://www.campsinternational.com/resources and print off sponsorship forms. Don't be scared to ask for sponsors just whip your sheets out whenever you see a window of opportunity and spread the word! Use social media to your own advantage!

4. TRAIN. I cannot stress this enough! You might think walking a long distance is no different to being on your feet all day. Well let me tell you, if you do no training there is no way on Earth you'll complete your event. If you don't complete it, people may take away their pledges to sponsor you. I planned my walk back in April and went out when I could in the evenings to do some walking right up until my event date.

5. Do your event. Hurrah! Your event is upon you and it's up to you to complete it! Make sure you take plenty of water and food with you in a rucksack. I carried a 30L backpack and took: an extra pair of shoes, a jumper, leggings, 2L of water, first aid kit (because you're going to get blisters no doubt about it!), sunglasses, a hat and my camera! I would also advise to take or at least apply some sun cream before leaving too because I got burnt all over my face - not good. 

6. Pester the people who haven't yet paid your sponsorship. Now, I don't mean be rude, but just ask nicely if you can now have your donation from them, if they haven't paid already, because you completed your event. Everyone I spoke too had at least a 15 minute conversation about how I got on with it when I spoke to them! 

7. Time to plan your next event. Now you've done one event it's time to get your next one planned! The fundraising never stops!  

Keep posted for the next step of my fundraising journey and keep up the hard work yourselves! There's still 3 weeks left of the summer holidays!

x

Monday 28 July 2014

What I've Been Up To: Car-booting

Yep, me and mum forgot about our Sunday morning lay-ins and left the house at 7:00am to do another car boot. Car boots are a great way to make money and get rid of the stuff you don't want anymore. We were there for about 6 hours selling different things and I sold my own things to make some money towards Camps. I raised about £32.80 which isn't loads but it all adds up - eh?

This is just a quick post but I can feel a few car boots coming on over the summer! Why not do one yourself? 

Friday 18 July 2014

What I've Been up to: Pet Sitting (Again!)


Once again I have been looking after pets whilst their owners are away on holiday. If you have seen my previous post, you'll see that I looked after my Nan's dog for a week whilst she was in the Isle of Man. However, this time the cats stayed at their house and I visited every morning and evening to sort them out. I had to change their food and water every morning and evening, change the cat flap settings to let them out during the day and shut them in at night and clean out the litter tray every-other-day.

It was a fairly simple task to do and great for people who don't want to spend a lot of money putting their animals into kennels/catteries but don't mind paying you to do it. I earned £50 from this alone which is great as I've earned £100 in the past two weeks!


Have you looked after anyone's pets as a fundraising idea? If not, see if you can arrange to as it's easy money for your expedition!

x


Wednesday 9 July 2014

Going Green-fingered

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Over the course of both yesterday and today I've been going all green fingered in a hope to raise some money towards my expedition. My great-grandma had some weeding that she wanted doing as she is now to frail to do it her self. I popped round yesterday and was there for just over an hour, hoeing the soil and pulling out the weeds, eventually ending up with a horrid blister on my thumb (..and I am the worst when it comes to blisters ewwwwgh!)

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Today however, I took out my paint-brush and spent about 6 hours painting an array of fence panels. I can't say that painting is my favourite thing to do (it really is as exciting as watching paint dry - literally.) but I'm going to end up doing things I wouldn't do out of choice if I want to make the full cost of the expedition! Luckily, mum was on hand to help me out and we pushed through it together. Otherwise I would have been there for ages! Thanks mum!

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Fundraiser:

If you have grandparents unable to get out on their gardens, take care of it for them or if friends/family don't like to do labouruss garden work ask if they would like you to do it for them instead in return for a donation! I earned £46 doing it, so it's definitely worth it even if you do encounter some blisters and aching arms - you know what they say 'no pain, no gain!' 

xx

Saturday 5 July 2014

What I've Been Up To: Summer Fayre


So, it's been about 2 weeks since I last posted on here but here is my first post for July! Today, my old primary school were holding a Summer Fayre and they let me have a stall for free! Unfortunately, I work every Saturday so was unable to attend therefore my lovely Mum and Nan (pictured above) ran it for me instead.

We sold things from around the house and things that mum managed to find on offer and in sales etc. Plus lots of sweets, cakes and chocolate. She also used one of the games we had in our playroom and charged 30p a go; if you could complete it without the machine buzzing, you won a prize (but no-one managed to complete it!)


All together they made £52.30 in two hours for me which I'm so grateful for! This week I also washed mum's car and earned another £10 which is good going to kick off my fundraising for July! Next week I am also pet sitting again, but this time they're two cats!


Happy fundraising! 


x

Saturday 21 June 2014

What I've Been Up to: Pet Sitting


You may have seen in my other posts that I have done some pet sitting before, if not, I looked after a hamster called Steve. However, this time round I looked after my Nan and Grandad's dog whilst they took a weeks holiday in the Isle of Man. My Nan and Grandad agreed to pay me the same amount that they would usually pay the kennels to look after their dog to put towards my expedition (about £50). Regarding that I took the dog for two walks a day (one in the morning and one in the evening) and gave it food and water obviously! 



Not owning a dog myself, I've realised how much hard work owning a dog actually is! The dog is so strong it ends up taking me for a walk rather than me taking the dog for a walk. He constantly wants to play tug-of-war or eat your food; with those puppy-dog-eyes, it's hard to say 'no!'. I still have the dog with me until Tuesday evening when my Nan returns - I'll be glad I don't have to get up at 6:00am to take him for a walk!


Fundraiser:

If you have any relatives that are thinking of going away on holiday who have pets, ask them if you can look after them instead of them leaving their pets in kennels/catteries in exchange for a donation towards your trip.



In the meantime until my next blogpost, here is a silly photo of me, standing in a field, in a ridiculous pose.


Happy fundraising! 


x

Sunday 1 June 2014

I GOT A JOB!

Now, I'm not going to lie, it is so hard to break into the working world with absolutely no experience (other than the nonsense paper-round that I did for THREE years!). Almost every place you apply for wants you to have some sort of experience, whether it be: retail, customer service etc. 

Being young also makes it harder as we are restricted to how many hours we can do a week and how early/late we can start/finish. Though, now I'm 16 and left secondary school I am not so restricted to when I can work. What was holding me back was my lack of experience.

Nevertheless, I hit the computer (not literally..) to print out copies of my covering letters and CV's and started to hand them out to local businesses and chain stores in my local city. Unfortunately, I never heard anything from any of them which left me feeling a little bit peeved as I spent £7 something on a pack of 1st Class stamps!

It wasn't until May this year, my mum found out that one of the local businesses in my town where looking for a Saturday girl to help out here and there. The business is a cute, and dainty tea parlour serving thousands upon thousands of different teas from all over the world and lots of light snacks etc. I didn't hesitate to jump on it and handed in my covering letter, CV and reference letters (to save them writing out to them and speed up the process) the next day. It wasn't until a few weeks later when one of the girls called me up and invited me to an interview! My emotions where contradicting as I was so excited yet trembling in my boots because I had never had an interview for anything before. Plus I missed out on the mock ones at school  for career's day. Despite this, I went in smiling and acting like my normal self and it was over before I knew it! Phew!

I got a phone call a few days later from them telling me they would like to get me in for a trial shift. This allows them to see if I was capable of working there and to see if I actually liked it because behind the scenes it can be a lot of juggling and rushing around! I went in that Saturday and had a trial shift which lasted about 2 hours - I was so nervous but I tried to not let it show and did whatever they asked me to. If I saw something that needed doing, I went for it!

Now, it was just the wonder between the period of the trial shift and the waiting for the phone to ring. Eventually it did ring and they told me they would like to offer me a job with them! I was absolutely ecstatic and over-the-moon! I have now been working there for the past 2 weeks, working roughly 3-days a week (not just Saturdays!); currently learning how to abbreviate orders, take payments and make the 43 different teas that they offer! There is something different to do each day and I really, really enjoy it! 

I was so happy I finally managed to get a job, therefore I can financially contribute myself towards my Borneo trip and my mum can chill out a bit with her overtime! 

I really do recommend that you try and get yourself a little job if you are fundraising for a trip with Camps International - I know it's easier said than done! Just keep on trying, at the end of the day it's the people you know who can help get you little jobs here and there. If you get declined, don't be upset, just move on and keep on trying! 

Good luck!

Sunday 18 May 2014

Fundraising: Car Boot 18/05/14

This car boot has been my main little fundraiser this month as I'm currently doing all of my GCSE exams - however, they will all be over soon and any money I can make in the mean time is beneficial to me! On mine and my Mum's stall we sold an array of different things that we either didn't want anymore, or old clothes that didn't fit us. We woke up at 5am and packed the car full to the brim with our items and set up pitch for 8am.


The place was packed out with people as soon as we arrived, we unloaded the car and laid out all of our items. A couple of hours later, maybe 5 or so, we had sold a majority of our things so decided we would make a move.


Overall we made about £85, but only £31.75 of it was mine to put towards my fundraising. I was pretty impressed with myself though as we only sold things around 50p to £1.50 and this was only supposed to be an 'on-the-side' fundraising event and making the most of this lovely weather!

Now, I am inside revising physics, for my exam tomorrow, with a throbbing headache!

Chloé

x


Friday 16 May 2014

My T-Shirt Came!

It's been a little while since I have blogged on here but slowly I'm making my through my GCSEs (7 down, 5 to go!) . However, the lovely Leanne from the opperations team visited our school on Wednesday to give us an informative fundraising meeting about planning our different events. Plus, we got hold of our t-shirts which I was overly excited about! 


I also finished my 'Camps International' bracelet which took me ages but looks so good now it's complete! 

I'm so happy that I've almost finished school and can have 12 weeks of intense fundraising and relaxing! August the 6th (I think it's then) I am doing a sponsored trek with a fellow fundraiser, Louis, which we are currently looking forward to completing (I hope the weather holds off!) 

Now, this is only a quick post as I will do a post tomorrow as I am doing a carboot sale! 

Chloe x

Saturday 3 May 2014

How To: Friendship Bracelets



It's May now and if you're like me, you'll be about to sit your GCSE/A-Level exams and have only short periods of time between your revision to plan your fundraising. In between my breaks of revision I usually make a couple of these bracelets to sell at different events: car boots, summer fetes or to friends and family.


To make them you will need:

- Scissors
- Coloured Embroidery Floss (Here's where I got mine: Argos)
- Bulldog clips
- A book/clipboard to secure your string to 

First you'll need to learn the knots:


Forward / Backward / Backward-Forward / Forward-Backward




Step 1. Choose 3 colours and measure 60 inches of each thread. Then fold them in half and tie them into a knot to form a loop. 



Step 2. Secure them to your board and separate the colours from the outside to the middle.




Step 3. Create a forward knot (4 knot)using the pink string over the green string, then the cream one, until you reach the middle.




Step 4. Then using the pink string you haven't used yet (the one on the right) create a backward knot (P/D knot) over the green string and then the cream one - until you reach the middle.




Step 5. Once you've reached the middle knot the two pink strings together using either a forward or backward knot. I prefer to use a forward one - you have now completed one row.




Step 6. Repeat the steps using the outside colours until you find a chevron pattern forming. Keep repeating until the braid will comfortably fit around your wrist. You may take it off of the clip to see how much longer you have to knot.




Step 7. When it comes to the end of the bracelet, braid three off the strands in a regular braid, tie a knot so it doesn't come undone, and then trim the left over string. You now have a chevron patterned bracelet.


Once you've mastered all the knots you may want to try out the following patterns (click the captions for video tutorials *not my videos)


Alternating Leaves
Chinese Staircase
Striped
Alpha

For other patterned bracelets, visit http://friendship-bracelets.net/
Let your creativity be part of your fundraising!

Good luck!

Chloe

xx

Friday 18 April 2014

Easter Recipe - Simnel Cake


Simnel Cake is a cake filled with mixed fruit, lemon and marzipan and is a perfect Easter recipe. It could be used to sell at a cake sale or as a prize. I was actually asked specifically to make one from a family friend who will give me a donation in return. Be sure to try it out! Here's how to make it: 

You will need:
  • - 175g/6oz butter or margarine
  • - 175g/6oz soft brown sugar
  • - 3 free-range eggs, beaten
  • - 175g/6oz plain flour
  •  - Pinch salt
  • - 350g/12oz mixed raisins, currants and sultanas
  • - ½ lemon, grated zest only
  • - 1-2 tbsp apricot jam
  • -500g natural marzipan (ready made is best)

Step 1. Preheat your oven to 140C/275F/Gas mark 1. Then, grease and line a 18cm/7in cake tin using grease-proof paper.

Step 2. Start to make the cake by creaming together both the sugar and the butter until light and fluffy. If you want to speed things up a little you can use a mixer  but, if you're like me just give it some elbow grease! 


Step 3. Add in each egg one at a time beating between to make sure they are completely mixed into the mixture. Then sift in the flour and salt and mix again.


Step 4. Place your cake mix aside for this step and use a grater to grate 1/2 a lemon zest (or more if you prefer) and add to the mixture. After the zest has been added, get your mixed fruit and place into a separate bowl. Coat the mixed fruit in some plain flour before adding to the mixture. This stops the fruit from sinking to the bottom of the cake as it is cooking.



Step 5. Roll out roughly 1/3 of your marzipan on a hard surface; lightly dusted with icing sugar. Cut out a circle which will comfortably fit in your cake tin.


Step 6. Put half of the mixture into your cake tin. Smooth the top over and cover with the circle of marzipan. Then place the rest of the cake mixture on top and smooth it over leaving a little less mixture in the middle so that the cake can rise. Bake in the oven for 1 3/4 hours. Test the mixture by inserting a wooden skewer, if it comes out clean you cake is ready.



Step 7. Generously spread apricot jam on top of the cooled cake. Roll out another 1/3 or your marzipan and place on top. Then create 11 little balls and using half cut cocktail sticks insert them on top of the cake, making sure they are evenly spaced. 



Step 8. Now, if you're professional (unlike me) and have possession of a cooks blow torch (this would have been fun though) brown the top of the marzipan until it goes a slightly golden brown colour. Alternatively, heat up your grill to the highest setting and brown the marzipan for roughly 1-2 minutes checking every few seconds so that it doesn't burn (you wouldn't want to ruin all of your hardwork now!)



Good luck! 

Chloe 

xx


Wednesday 16 April 2014

What's happening this week?

Hello fellow fundraisers! I thought I will give you an insight to what's happening on my fundraising journey this week!

Tonight, I am setting up my stall once again at my brother's football match selling: teas, coffees, sweets & chocolate (which proved quite popular for the kids!) in the hope to raise a little bit more towards my fund.

Then on Friday, I am baking cakes that I have been asked to bake in return for a donation towards my expedition. One of them is a bit of a challenge and will reveal my inner Mary Berry as if it goes wrong, well....don't even get me started! Keep your eyes peeled for the recipe! 

Sunday, the thought of Easter egg hunts and chocolate springs to mind, but not for me. Instead, my mum will be standing in a field selling bits and bobs from the boot of her car! Unfortunately, I cannot be at this one as I am at my dads and away in Sheffield - poor mum! But, I will let you know how it goes!  

I also want to give a massive thank you to Leanne at Camps International for sharing my blog and giving me some amazing opportunities!



Chloe

xxx

Tuesday 8 April 2014

Easter Holidays - April Fundraising

Now that the Easter holidays are upon us, it's the perfect opportunity to get some more fundraising on the go. Easter Sunday we are going to do our first boot sale, we have loads of 'nick nacks' and old games to sell and lots of my friendship bracelets. 

Thursday evening I also baked cakes for a pre-school fayre which I was paid £10 for, for just making 24 individual fairy cakes!

I will also be doing another tuck shop on Wednesday at my brothers football game which last time raised £50 selling chocolate, sweets, teas & coffees. 









Also, I'm currently pet sitting a hamster called Steve (isn't it cute) for a family who have gone on holiday, out of the country, for a week. 













I also got in touch with the local Brownie group who will hopefully be willing to help me out with my fundraising! Fingers crossed! 

Chloe 

xx

Sunday 23 March 2014

Fundraising Idea - Friendship Bracelets



Now that I have handed in my deposit for my expedition to Borneo it's time to start fundraising! I've been reading other people's blogs and one thing I can do is make and sell friendship bracelets. Believe it or not I actually did this last year to make money for myself. I would take orders from my friends and bring them in the next day or so in a little brown envelope. (I think my teachers thought I was drug-dealing in the corridors! Ooops!) Over the month I managed to bank up myself £80 which was quite good for someone like me!

So, I have took full advantage of my bracelet making skills and taken it up again. Eventually, when I have a enough I will sell them to friends, family and on stalls at craft fares, summer fetes and boot sales. If anyone would like to know how to make bracelets like these to sell towards your expedition, please leave a comment and I will enlighten you! 





Thanks for reading, 

Chloe 

xxx


Tweet me: @Chloe__Spencer (two underscores)
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Thursday 20 March 2014

Let The Fundraising COMMENCE!

Today was the day I handed in my deposit for my expedition to Borneo in 2015.(Eeeeeeeeek!)I have just over 12 months to raise my target of £3,960 (the complete cost of the journey). It will be A LOT of hard work but with lots of blood, sweat and tears, anything is possible! 

Last week, I kicked off my fundraising by setting up a little tuck shop at my brother's football games. Each week they're out on fields with no food facilities and some players, including their parents, have to travel a fair way to play. On my stall I sold sweets, chocolate, teas and coffees ranging from 25p to 50p and ranked myself £50 to go straight into my funds for the expedition.




Keep posted to see some more ideas and feel free to comment your own! 


Thanks for reading, 

Chloe 

xxx


Tweet me: @Chloe__Spencer (two underscores)
Follow me on Instagram: http://instagram.com/chloe_spencer