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Total raised so far

£25.00 +£6.25 Gift Aid See breakdown

Recent donations

3 years ago

Gwyneth Simmons

£5.00

+ £1.25 Gift Aid

3 years ago

Gwyneth Simmons

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

3 years ago

Gwyneth Simmons

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

Beat the Lockdown Blues

Event dates: 7th November 2020 – 2nd December 2020

Gwyneth Simmons is raising money for CHILDREN OF COLOMBIA

My story

With the sad prospect of no tennis or golf - my go to fixes for exercise, fun and catching up with friends several days a week - I decided to take my own advice from the Children of Colombia Blog and set up a lockdown fundraising challenge from home with Give As You Live. My target is to spend 10 hours a week taking some form of exercise outdoors - walking, gardening or the occasional jog if I feel very enthusiastic - and raise money for Children of Colombia along the way.
This should get me out of the house and away from the computer screen to see other people (at a distance, but at least I'll know they're still out there and doing the same as I am!), enjoy the stunning autumn countryside on my doorstep and help my mental and physical wellbeing in this difficult time.
At this time of year, when it's frosty in the morning and dark by 4 with the prospect of winter ahead it's easy to feel down. With Covid-19 and lockdown increasing anxiety and isolation, even more important to try to maintain our mental and physical health. Exercise raises levels of endorphins - and seratonin and other feel good neurochemicals - which can lower symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress:
“While meditation, laughing, or eating chocolate do raise endorphin levels, they don’t raise them as much as exercising intensely for an hour or more.” —J. Kip Matthews, PhD
Though I'll probably try the chocolate too, just for good measure!
So - while I'm helping myself, I can also do a small something to help Children of Colombia. The children and young people the charity helps are much more vulnerable to the effects of the pandemic than most of us and need extra care, love and support during this difficult time. I will give £5 a week when I achieve my 10 hour goal - and £5 for every hour below my target. A win win for Children of Colombia and hopefully for me too! It won't raise a fortune, but a little goes a long way in Colombia and every little helps. Let's get started while the sun's shining!


Thank you for checking out my page. Making a donation is fast, easy and secure thanks to Give as you Live Donate. They'll take your donation and pass it onto CHILDREN OF COLOMBIA.

My updates

3 years ago

I did it! With Bryony's help I managed just over 10 hours tramping around the muddy Cotswolds and a bit of tidying up in the garden this week. So £5 + Gift Aid to Children of Colombia. All the money raised will be added to the Christmas Bed Appeal childrenofcolombia.com/news/ - already heading towards an amazing three special, hospital-grade beds for the Luz y Vida children's home in Bogota, Colombia. Every little helps, especially when you can add Gift Aid to boost your donation by a whopping 25%. On to the last week then back to golf and tennis. How will I do on my own with no daughter to push me out of the door in all weathers and read the maps to get us home before dark?

3 years ago

I was doing so well, encouraged by daughter Bryony who is in my “bubble” who joined me on some very damp and muddy walks. But yesterday was so grey and miserable we opted to stay home and bake cake (and eat it!). So I only managed eight hours again in week 2 of my Give As You Live “fundraise from home” challenge. Another £10 for Children of Colombia – £5 for each hour below target.
All the money raised will go to Children of Colombia’s Bed Appeal – our exciting new Christmas Campaign which will be launched TOMORROW - see childrenofcolombia.com/news/ for details!

3 years ago

Oh well - I can always blame the rain! Failed to achieve my outdoor exercise target in week 1 - only clocked up 8 hours so that's £10 to Children of Colombia. Week 2 starts today and the sun is shining so no excuse! Join me and set up your own Fundraising from home challenge with Give as you Live - it's very easy and does everyone a power of good!

Gwyneth Simmons is fundraising for

CHILDREN OF COLOMBIA

Charity number: 1095987

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