Our News

Linda Elford's Story

12 May 2008

Make Every Step Count 

We are encouraging all participants of this year’s Beat the Baton to raise as much money as possible through fundraising efforts in the run up to the event - and, are on hand to offer advice and support to enable you to exceed your fundraising target.

All money raised is vital funds to help Sue Ryder Care continue to deliver expert and compassionate care for people living with long term neurological conditions and for people who are dying. 

Linda’s Story

Linda Elford from London took part in last year’s Beat the Baton and raised a staggering £2158.50 for Sue Ryder Care using the Just Giving website and also traditional sponsorship forms. She started by setting herself the target of £2,000 and ensured she reached this amount by asking every colleague and business associate to support her in her efforts.

Linda was amazed that, by being bold enough to ask, people did indeed sponsor her.  She was touched by the £2.50 donation from someone new at work that didn’t even know her, and stunned by an individual contribution of £250. Linda also asked her employers, and although they were unable to offer matched giving, the company’s charity committee was able to sponsor her £150.

Linda said, “My colleagues were extremely generous as well as my family and friends – some of the donations I received really surprised me, particularly the amount of money donated.  My maxim in life is "if you don't ask, you don't get" and I don't think I have ever been so right.  One of my colleagues was particularly supportive.  She organised an office sweepstake for my race time and really went out of her way to rattle the tin under everyone's noses.  She raised an additional £50 – which really touched me.
 
“My motivation for running the race was to prove something to myself.  I have never, ever, been what one might call a sporty person.  But in September 2006, as part of a get fit/lose fat personal mission, I took part in a boot camp.  A major part of this was running - something I would never have thought I was any good at because as I was unfit, smoked and out of condition - but I was beating girls 20 years younger than me!  I therefore started to feel a real sense of achievement.

“I stopped smoking in early October 2006 and started going to the gym regularly, running on the treadmill for 15-20 minutes at a time.  I then saw an advert at the back of someone's paper on the tube for Beat the Baton.  And, as I like music as well as exercise, it caught my eye and I looked it up on the internet.  A friend of mine agreed to do it with me (coming all the way from Devon to participate) and that's where it all started. 
 
“The event was really enjoyable and I surprised myself with a reasonable time of 32 minutes.”

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