Fundraising and Training Tips

Estimates suggest up to 90% of all people dying in England may have palliative care needs, and for every death, five people are affected by bereavement.

By raising funds for Sue Ryder in the December Daily Dash, you could help fewer people face death or grief alone.

However you choose to participate, you'll be part of a supportive community of Dashers. All committed to getting moving every day this December and raising vital funds, so that no one needs to face death or grief alone at Christmas.

Fundraise over £20 to get your free Dash beanie!

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Fundraising Top Tips

Make every step you take make a difference. Ask friends, family and colleagues to sponsor your challenge – their support, your commitment and our care will make a vital difference to people nearing the end of their life and those who love them. 

Maximise your fundraising efforts by perfecting your JustGiving page. Follow our top tips to get started: 

  • Give us a smile: Fundraisers with pictures or videos on their page raise 13% more per photo. 
  • Tell your story and share why you’re taking part. Writing a story on your JustGiving page helps your supporters understand why you’re fundraising. You could raise 65%  more if you do.
  • Tick off a target: We’ve crunched the numbers and found that pages with a target raise 17% more. Aim high!
  • Don't be afraid to share: Share your page on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and LinkedIn…
  • Keep it current: add images and updates to keep your friends and family engaged.
  • Track your activity: You could raise 40% more and have supporters keep track of your progress by connecting your page with your Strava account.

Training Advice

  • This is a month of running, jogging or walking, not a sprint. Take it easy and build up slowly; don't overdo it early on. Have patience.
  • Spoil yourself! Go for a proper shoe fitting well before you begin. What works for one doesn’t work for another so make sure your footwear is suitable for you, and most importantly is comfortable!
  • Find a training partner. It’s much harder to skip a day’s dashing when someone is waiting for you to turn up. It’ll also keep you focused on getting out in the rain or snow! Encourage your friends, teammates or colleagues to join you or take part as a relay. 
  • Track and share your progress. Log your training on your fitness app Strava to see the improvements you’re making and be inspired by other dashers too.
  • Don’t ignore the warning signs of niggles. If there is an ache or pain one side and not the other, chances are something is occurring. Please don’t ignore this! Rest, and if it persists, please see a specialist.  
  • Avoid two hard back to back days. If you give it some real effort one day, always make sure the next day is a very easy one.
  • Stretch! As boring as it can be sometimes, it’s vital to help with injury prevention. Hold each stretch for 45-60 seconds. 
  • Nutrition and hydration are also a key part of your training. Refuel with good sources of quality carbohydrates and repair and regrow those muscles with quality protein. Variety is key - mix it up frequently.

If you’ve got any questions, get in touch with us at december.dailydash@sueryder.org.