I am writing to make people aware that, in late September, I have chosen to take part in a charity event, and to get anyone reading the spread the work and if you are feeling generous sponsor me
The Challenge - In a little over a month time, from the 23rd to the 27th of September, I have chosen to undertake the ‘Live Below The Line’[i] challenge, and international charity event supporting a wide range of good causes. The challenge is simple – I have to spend 5 days feeding myself with $2.25 a day.
Why $2.25? This is the amount that is considered to be New Zealand equivalent of the extreme poverty line.
Which of the many charities are you supporting? I have chosen to support Oxfam with my fundraising. Although there were many good causes to support, I have always been a supporter of Oxfam and I have undertaken charity challenges previously to help Oxfam specifically.
Why exactly am I doing this? The reasons are many.
- Obviously I want to help in a small way something that I do feel is important. Over 1 in 6 people are considered to be living below the extreme poverty line worldwide. In 2006/07 22% of New Zealand children were living in poverty. That is, in households with incomes below the 60% median income poverty line, after taking housing costs into account [ii].
- I am actually interested in the challenge itself. I’m not a great cook, but I do enjoy cooking. The challenge of creating a five day menu of food and drink for just over $11 intrigues me.
- I do, occasionally, get the urge to do something for charity. In 2009 I undertook ‘Movember’ and learnt a lot (well mostly that I should never ever grow a moustache!), but have been rather lax over recent years about doing something worthwhile such as this challenge.
- It’s going to be very very interesting to see me survive for five days with no caffeine.
What do I want from you? Firstly, as a charity event I would like to raise as much money as possible for the cause. I completely understand that times are hard, but if you feel you are able to and would like to help, I really would appreciate any sponsorship that you could make. Sponsorship can be done both online or offline.But more importantly I'd like you to spread the word. Tweet, repost, anything you want. But lets get this going as big as possible!
Online – Just visit https://www.livebelowtheline.com/me/breevok and follow the instructions
Offline – Donate to me in person. I will ask you to fill out your details on a simple form.
Secondly, I would appreciate your support and understanding during the week of the challenge itself. For those of you who know me well you know how big a part coffee plays in my life. If I am a little grumpier than usual during my weeks detox I would ask for forgiveness and promise I will return to my usual level of English inspired grumpiness once the challenge is completed.
My thanks to you for taking time to read this mail and I look forward to your support for the event in late September.
[i] Live Below the Line is an initiative of the Global Poverty Project, an education and campaigning organisation whose mission is to increase the number and effectiveness of people taking action against extreme poverty
[ii] http://www.occ.org.nz/home/childpoverty/about_child_poverty
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