Last Updated on 17 June 2021 by Colette
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Update 2019: BT MyDonate closed in June 2019 to allow BT to concentrate its charitable efforts in other areas.
Long time readers may know that Dave has a something of a cycling habit and each summer completes a bit of a marathon 75 mile charity bike ride from Wetherby to Filey with my Dad and little sister. For one reason or another they didn’t do the ride last summer but are each determined to get back on it this year and up some of those killer hills. Being a busy Dad of three, Dave can often find it quite hard to fit training sessions into his week – especially as he gets closer to the big ride and needs to be out for several hours at a time working on his strength and stamina. This New Year, to keep him focused on training for the ride in June, Dave’s also going to complete a “short” 49 mile bike ride in North York and raise funds for DEBRA using BT MyDonate.
As Colette said above I am raising money for the charity DEBRA. I wouldn’t be surprised if you had never heard of DEBRA before. They aren’t the biggest charity and I wouldn’t know about them without my personal experience. The ‘EB’ within DEBRA stands for Epidermolysis Bullosa. This is a disease which affects the way in which your skin works. In the most basic description possible, (the only one I understand really) your skin has layers which are held together by a glue. People who are born with EB do not have this glue, or their glue does not work correctly, meaning that the slightest graze can remove their skin. My step father had this condition and it caused him pain and discomfort his whole life. Constant open wounds that require dressings and bandages along with the need for plastic surgery to stop fingers and toes from fusing together. Despite all that he was an amazing man and the people at DEBRA helped him throughout his life. So I would like to help them.
BT MyDonate is a not-for-profit online giving platform. It may come as a surprise to know that other fundraising sites (eg Just Giving or Virgin) often charge charities commission or subscription fees – I was really shocked when I first found out that some of these sites were making money off the back of your charity fundraising. I can’t be the only one who thinks that’s really not ok? Using BT MyDonate ensures that, aside from any credit card or debit card fees, every penny donated goes straight to your chosen cause – as you’d expect!
As if this weren’t reason enough to use BT MyDonate, every new registrant to the site who raises £100 in donations (including gift aid) before February 20th 2017 will automatically be entered into the “Donation Doubler” prize draw with five people randomly selected to have the money they have raised matched up to a value of £1,000!
In a recent survey commissioned by BT MyDonate, 28% of Brits agreed that they would be more likely to stick to their New Year’s resolutions if they involved a charitable cause – which makes perfect sense doesn’t it? Raising money publicly makes you accountable. So, I’m relying on you guys to help keep Dave out on his bike this miserable, grey January!
Suzy Christopher, Charity and Community Director, BT, said: “With nearly three quarters of us having donated to charity over the past year, it’s clear that we’re a generous nation. As 54 per cent of us will make exercising more our priority in 2017, tying this into a charitable New Year challenge could be the perfect way to combine fitness and fundraising – from embarking on a sponsored bike ride to scaling a mountain summit. I’m running the London Marathon in April and fundraising for charity has certainly motivated me to keep training!”
If you need a bit of help sticking to your own New Year’s Resolutions – why not make it about charity fundraising this year? You never know what you could achieve or how much your chosen charity might benefit and sharing your challenges with your friends on social media will mean you really do have to crack on with them!
I’m just disappointed you aren’t joining him. I’ll have the kids for you – they can come here and play LEGO 😀
It is an awesome thing to do, and I love that actually he has a charity that means a lot to him – giving back. Best of luck Dave! 🙂
Haha. I don’t even own a bike Jenny! I’d give it a go but it’s hard enough finding time for Dave to train without me doing it too!! X
What a brilliant (and positive) thing to do, I wish him all the luck in the world! I’m doing 2 charity races this year so I understand the pressure to do well!
All the best,
Amy.
What an amazing thing to do and thanks for introduction to DEBRA, definitely not a charity I have heard of but will check them out.
I don’t know a huge amount of DEBRA, as only seen their charity shop on the high street and once attended an event fundraising for them…however it makes it that bit more meaningful to support a charity close to the heart. Good luck!x
I’ve never heard of this charity, it does sound like a good one to raise money for. All the best
What a lovely thing to do. Having a personal cause to support makes you stick to your goal even more. Good luck Dave!
What a fantastic thing to do and I love that it is a cause you are passionate about x
I admire anyone that does fund raising, and particularly those that do the more challenging things. Well done to the man.
What a way to train for the big bike ride, and what a fantastic cause. Good luck to Dave! x
I feel really ignorant because I honestly haven’t heard of this condition before. I definitely agree that fund raising makes you more accountable for your new years goals.
What an amazing thing to be doing and thank you for introducing DEBRA – not a charity I’ve heard of before x
Good luck with the fundraising, and extra good luck to Dave on the ride itself. The “Donation Doubler” aspect of this platform is really interesting!
What s fabulous thing to do, I wish him all the luck in the world.
This is such a great thing to do for a fantastic cause.
What a wonderful cause – go you guys fro raising money for it. He’s braver than me!
What a brilliant thing to do for a brilliant cause, all the best raising money for it.
the disease sounds painful and am glad you’re raising money for it. people need to know more about it
What a great thing to do. Good luck to him!
Just looked into DEBRA as I had never heard of it. Such a great charity for such a great cause!! Good luck to him!!
Good luck to him! My OH also raises money for charities with cycling!
I’m horrified that some sites make a profit from people’s charity donations – I suppose if I had thought about it, I should have worked that out. Fair play to Dave for working so hard to raise money for such an important cause.
This is it Helen – it had never occurred to me either!
What an awesome thing to do! I haven’t heard of Debra before so found this post really informative. Good luck! x
This is a great post and I love this thing to do for a great cause. Go for it to raise money
I’d not heard of the condition before, it sounds very frustrating. Well done to Dave and you in creating this post. #TriedTested
I am shocked that these platforms make money off the back of people’s fundraising, that doesn’t seem right at all. This does sound like a great charity to support, best of luck to Dave #triedtested
Good luck Dave!
Good luck to David, what a lovely thing to do. I hope he raises loads of money for his charity x
What a brilliant thing to do for an illness I’ve never heard of before. Best of luck David with your “short” bike ride, I’m sure you’ll raise lots of money and your step-father would be very proud
#TriedTested
I’ve never heard of this condition before and it sounds extremely painful. What a great way to raise awareness!
Jodie x
#TriedTested
Aww what a fabulous thing to do, good on him. Not sure I could cope with a “short” 49 mile bike ride! My bum would be numb.
#TriedTested
What a fantastic and positive thing to do. Good luck Dave.
Sounds like an amazing cause! I hadn’t heard of the charity or the illness and I’m shocked to hear that well known fundraising sites charge a fee (although I’m not surprised unfortunately!). Good Luck to Dave and what a lovely thing to do! 🙂
#TriedTested
It is great to support and raise awareness of smaller charities. Good Luck Dave!
I hadn’t thought about online fundraising sites charging commision. I’m glad to hear that BT MyDonate doesn’t. Good luck Dave!
#TriedTested
What an amazing thing to do for such a wonderful cause. Good luck Dave 🙂
Wishing him all the best, such a great cause.
Well done Dave and good luck!
It’s nice to see some of the less well known charities being supported too
#triedtested
Good luck to Dave! I may do a 50k ride for our local hospice in Sept. Missed doing it last year!
What a great cause! I’d like to raise more money for charity too this year and might also do some charitable posts. Good luck to Dave on his challenge! And thanks for hosting #triedtested
Good luck to the man of the house. #TriedTested
Well done to Dave and your family members for getting out and making a difference! I had no idea Just Giving charged a fee from fundraising efforts… Scandalous. #TriedTested
What a fantastic thing to do for a cause that’s so close to your heart. All the best Dave, peddle like the wind!
That’s such a great thing your are doing, I do hope it goes well for Dave. I can imagine its tough to fit in the training with it being such long days but just think how proud your littles will be of him. Good luck to him x #triedtested
‘Short’? ‘Short’?! half a mile is short, Dave! You are a biking superstar!
Good Luck! I am sure it will go amazingly well. I am just as shocked that they make money on the back of it. For charity! That’s appalling. #TriedTested