For

many people the start of a new year carries with it that age old resolution of

getting in shape. I'm sure we've all said it or contemplated it in the past.

One

striking trend I have noticed having worked in the Non-Profit sector, is the

relationship between exercise and fitness and helping charities such as

ourselves.

Setting

ourselves challenges can sometimes be difficult, as there is not always the

guidelines in place to guide us to our ultimate goal; in this case a fitter,

healthier us.

This

is where charity events come in.

Just

going through our event calendar for the first half of 2012, we have the 5K

Run/Walk, the Bike Ride, Potters 'Arf Marathon, Midnight to Sunrise Walk along

with a fancy Drag Race squeezed into the middle.

The

variety of the events throughout the year is also; I believe a definite trigger

for the mass participation for people of all ages and backgrounds.

The

Midnight to Sunrise Walk is a ladies only event, whereas the Drag Race is a

men's only event, but for people who may want to do something less strenuous

the 5K can cater.

What

you find is, certainly in the case of the Midnight to Sunrise Walk and 5K

Run/Walk, is that many families will do it as a group, whether it be mothers

and daughters or entire families in the 5K's case.

The

Potters 'Arf, for which we are one the benefiting charities, is more in my eyes

for the more hardened runners who have done long distance running in the past;

but it can also be seen as goal to work towards for those who make the fitness

vow at New Year.

For

people who have now joined a gym, running club or do their own thing this is a

achievable target.

All

of these events take place between April and June so, despite the unpredictable

weather, the hope is that all will have at least reasonable weather for most

(for all maybe too much to ask).

It's

not just these events that capture people's imaginations though, as many people

organise their own events not just for us but other charities.

Just

last year we had a group of enthusiast supporters who taught Zumba Fitness, who

staged an event at Northwood Stadium which despite some manic weather, went on

to raise over £2,000 in donations.

The

demand is clearly there for these events; so the real question is, have you

signed up yet?

Please

visit our websites to enter one of our events here –

http://www.dmhospice.org.uk/main-events