MS-UK win Campaign of the Year

MS-UK are celebrating after scooping Campaign of the Year at the Institute of Fundraising East Anglia regional awards for their My MS Marathon campaign.

More than 20 charities across the region submitted entries, and My MS Marathon stood out to the judges for its innovation and inclusivity.

Hailed as the UK’s most accessible marathon because absolutely everybody can take part, My MS Marathon was launched in 2020 in answer to the cancelling of the London Marathon due to the pandemic, so people could continue to fundraise for a great cause. All you have to do is dream up a challenge based around the number 26 – which is how many miles there are in a marathon.

Last year, fundraisers created all kinds of challenges, including 26 days of Pilates practice, 26-hour gameathons, walking 1K a day for 26 days – and everyone loved the fact they could choose a challenge tailored to their own interests and physical abilities.

“This award is a real accolade and testament of great team work here at MS-UK,” says Jill Purcell, Fundraising Manager. “The campaign was very much a joint effort between colleagues, and we are so grateful to everyone who took on the challenge to raise money for our vital work.”

This year, My MS Marathon will raise money for MS-UK’s counselling service. “Due to the recent high demand for our counselling service, we have had to make the difficult decision to temporarily stop taking referrals,” says Diana Crowe, Head of Services. “This has been a very difficult decision to make, and we are doing our best to resume normal service as soon as possible. Funding a vital service such as this is challenging and funding is urgently needed in order to sustain the service. By taking part in My MS Marathon you will be helping MS-UK continue providing this much needed service.

My MS Marathon has now been established as an annual event for MS-UK and we’d love you to take part this July. All you need to do is dream up your own marathon challenge using the number 26 through time or distance, complete your challenge in July and pledge to raise £100 for MS-UK’s counselling service. So, whether you knit, game, bake, dance, hop, skip, jump, walk, wheel or run do it your way for MS-UK!

Everyone who raises over £100 will receive an exclusive My MS Marathon 2021 medal.

It’s quick and easy to sign up, simply

1. Dream up your activity based around the numbers 26
2. Register to take part online at www.ms-uk.org/my-ms-marathon-0 or by calling Molly on 01206 226500.
3. Set up your fundraising page and share with your friends and family.
4. Do your challenge during July (be sure to take lots of photos or make videos of you in action!)
5. Raise over £100 and claim your exclusive My MS-Marathon 2021 medal