Not Running the London Marathon Charity Fundraising Made Easy

The London Marathon

Perhaps the most sought after marathon around the world, the London Marathon brings both professional runners and charity fundraisers together in this remarkable event. The first London Marathon was held in 1981 (number one single – - Call Me | Blondie ) and this years Marathon 2010 is the 30th anniversary of the race. 2010 – 1981 = 29 30 !!

The event has grown to include 30,000 runners and is perhaps the single most important fundraising charity event for even the largest UK charities.  News today that this years marathon is expected to take the total since 1981 to half a billion pounds in fundraising revenue from sponsiorship and charity donation.

The marathon, a charity itself, has become the world’s most successful fund-raising charity events, working with two thousand charities.

Running the London Marathon

Entries for each years event open online in April immediately after that years race.  With a one in six chance of beign lucky in the ballot successfull applicants hear the good news in September – just as the evenings start to draw in.  Training for the London marathon begins

An example of dedicated training is Sir Jog Alot who has offered a sponsor this block opportunity on his site – good thinking – hope it works.

Fundraising by not running the London Marathon

A chap simply called Bob has had a bright idea. His application was unsuccessful but undeterred he plans to raise a few bob by not running the London marathon and has set up fundraising page to which <towoo> he hopes to drive sponsors.

London Marathon Costumes

One advantage of not running the London marathon states Bob is to avoid the jostling crowds and bumping into giant Rhinos.  The costumes are becoming more and more elaborate – who can forget the chap in the deep sea diving costume and a jogging Elvis/Santa/cross dresser never fails to bring a smile to TV viewers and a cheer of support from the crowds that line the entire route.  Heres 50 London marathon costumes.

Jerez de la Frontera, Andalucia

The small Spanish city of Jerez de la Frontera is the home of sherry, Flamenco and some of the world’s finest horses.

If you wander the tangled streets of the old town you can follow the scent of sherry to track down a bodega, where you can take a tour to learn about the sherry-making process – and enjoy a bit of tasting. The rolling landscapes outside of the city produce grapes for the sherry, and you can stop off along the way at numerous Pueblos Blancos – pretty, white, hilltop towns.

We had the fortune to visit and write about the Flamenco Museum in Malaga but to get a full flavour of proper job flamenco what better city to visit than Jerez?

You can enjoy Flamenco year-round, with regular shows hosted at more than a dozen small flamenco clubs (peñas flamencas) that keep the tradition very much alive – including Spain’s second oldest peñas flamencas: Los Cernicalos.

The city also makes a great base from which to explore the wider Andalucian province of Cadiz.  Flights are available from regional airpots to Jerez but many visitors find it easier to get to the main airport in Andalucia, Malaga. Car hire is readily available and the drive to Jerez would be a few hours through the stunning Andalucian countryside alternatively you could take the fast train from Malaga via Seville to Jerez and pick up a hire car on arrival.  Car hire Spain is particularly good value during the low season – when the Falmenco Festival takes place.

Nearby on the coast there are sandy beaches such as Tarifa on the Costa de la Luz, where the strong winds off the Straits of Gibraltar create the perfect conditions for kitesurfers and windsurfers. The typically Andalucian seaside city of Cadiz has a wonderful old core, with a network of narrow winding alleys linking large, open plazas. Dotted about the old centre there are well-preserved historical churches and other landmarks such as the remains of the ancient city walls.

There’s stacks to do year-round in and around Jerez, but many tourists time their visit to coincide with the annual world-famous Festival de Jerez, sometimes called the Flamenco Festival, every February

Festival de Jerez – The Flamenco Festival

26 February – 13 March 2010

Jerez is arguably the best place in the world to experience one of Spain’s most passionate and vibrant cultural expressions: Flamenco.

Many people are under the impression that Flamenco is part of the culture of the whole of Spain, but in fact it is only native to the Andalucian region. Jerez itself lays claim to being the birthplace of the tradition, and each year the city erupts with music and dance – representing one of the most important celebrations of Flamenco in the world.

In addition to lively ticketed shows featuring some of Spain’s most famous Flamenco dancers and guitarists, the festival also attracts dance students to its many training courses and workshops.

Venues include the Palacio de Villavicencio and the Villamarta Theatre.

www.festivaldejerez.es

Valentine’s Day Gifts

The one rule of Valentine’s Day is that you should never forget. The rest is up to you, whether you treat your loved one to traditional Valentine gifts such as Valentine flowers or a surprise slap-up dinner- check out this magnificent Valentine pasty, or push the boat out with a romantic rural weekend retreat. A card is the bare minimum, but let’s face it, there are few (women in particular) who would honestly be happy with the bare minimum. If you’re out to impress, you’ll need to do better.

Here’s our Valentine’s inspiration to help you make the day special for the one you love.

Homemade over Hallmark

Many people think Valentine’s Day has become too commercialised -  little more than a ‘Hallmark’ holiday with rip-off gifts. It needn’t be meaningless or expensive, however, if you make your own cards and gifts. Something that’s obviously been made with love means more than something easily bought. You could make chocolate-dipped strawberries, or a homemade card – and if you’re no artist you could buy reasonably-priced supermarket flowers then re-wrap them in your own choice of paper and ribbon, giving your gift a personal touch.

Valentine’s flowers

There’s nothing quite like receiving dozen fresh red roses  to make a girl feel special.
many people chose to have flowers delivered from leading florists such as Interflora who really should reconsider their pricing structure, however better options are available with businesses such as Bunch O’ Fives and high street womens fashion lingerie and dresses emporium M&S offering flowers year round both in store and online
If you’re spending Valentine’s Day together, you could hand deliver the flowers – giving you the chance to personalise the bouquet with your own wrapping.

Novelty Valentine Gifts

Careful with these – althought the idea of giving novelty flowers that turn into nasty knickers and badly fitting  bras you might as well have kept the pink  goscrewyourself screwdriver yourself.

Love and Peace my fellow munchers

Wipes crumbs from the keyboard…..

David Cameron is Munching for you