The wonderful greeting card industry pulled together last week with an incredible £47,000 raised already as Cardgains’ Charity Challenge has surpassed all expectations.
The capital’s fab canals and parks – plus camels and sharks! – provided the backdrop as 50 walkers from across the card and gift industry, as well as execs from Gemar and Pioneer Europe, tramped out 25 miles each on Look Out London, the annual challenge that this year was in aid of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA).
And even before the troops started stepping out from Paddington Basin in the warm rain at 7.45am yesterday, the buying group’s £25,000 target in memory of industry legend David Hicks had already been well and truly smashed – and, by the time they’d made it through to the evening celebrations, donations had topped £39,000 and are still climbing.
Cardgains md Penny Shaw said: “It has been a fantastic day, the weather was kinder than had been anticipated as the rain cleared up for quite a sunny day, and fundraising has been beyond anything we could have imagined.
“The biggest thank you goes not only to those who took part but also to those who sponsored us and raised such an amazing amount for MDNA – it’s unbelievable!”
Speaking for the Emotional Rescue contingent of David Greaves, Jennie Rutter and himself, Brett Smith joked: “Did we enjoy it? Are you mental! But the lunchtime sandwiches were good.”
And sales agent Ian Bradley, preparing himself for the promised dip in London’s Serpentine if he and Rush Design founder wife Lorraine hit their £2,000 personal fundraising target, admitted: “My feet are throbbing like sausages! But it was amazing, fabulous walking along the canals of London.
“It was no walk jn the park although we did walk through certain parks which made it interesting and we loved seeing the camels in London Zoo – and Alexander Armstrong filming in the street just as we were about to go into St James’ Park!”
Indie retailer Caroline Ranwell, of Hugs & Kisses in Tettenhall, said: “Jonny and I were £50 off raising £2,000 – but, just as we finished the walk, Progressive Greetings’ (Partyworldwide’s sister site) Jakki Brown donated to take us over that milestone,” while the comments from their pal Andrea Pindar, of Presentation Cards & Gifts in Barrowford, about the only bits of her that weren’t aching wouldn’t look out of place on a Dean Morris card.
Skylight Media’s Simon Pryce commented: “I felt wonderfully connected to the industry and to London, exploring parks I’ve not been to before.”
And the last word goes to Cardgains chairman and House of Cards indie retailer Miles Robinson, who brought the annual charity event down south for only the second time since it started in 1998 in honour of his great friend David, who died last year due to MND.
“It was a smorgasbord of sightseeing around London,” Miles said. “I’ve been humbled by the support that we’ve had which has been totally amazing and a fabulously wonderful day.”
A reel from the day’s events compiled by support team superstar Aga Marsden, Cardgains director and co-owner of The Highworth Emporium, can be seen here.
If anyone still wants to support this incredible effort, the main JustGiving link is here – and remember all UK taxpayers can use the Gift Aid option which adds 25% to their donation, and do add a message of support so Cardgains know which walkers to allocate donations to.
