4 May 2018

There’s still time to support the annual YMCA North London’s Fun Run races – an adult 10k and eight children’s 1-mile races on Sunday 20th May 2018 in Priory Park N8 – by getting sponsored to participate in the challenge, or to organise an event to raise money us.

A team of runners from Five Pillars Taekwon-Do in North London, did just that, and organised a fundraising Martial Arts and Self-Defence Tournament in support of the Fun Run on Sunday 22ndApril 2018.

40 Five Pillars Taekwon-Do students, some as young as four years old took part in the tournament, with 60 spectators in attendance. So far over £240 has been raised, with another £200 + expected.

But this is not the first year that the TaeKwon-Do students have been involved in raising money for the event: they have been doing this for 15 years!

Malik Ayman, founder of Five Pillars Taekwon-Do said, “We encourage our students to motivate, inspire, support, and empower others, such as fundraising for charity or hosting events. It has been wonderful to see children as young as four years old involved in helping others, and their support of the YMCA’s event is just one example.

Fran Johnson, YMCA North London Fun Run Race Director said, “We are extremely grateful to Malik, his team of runners and to Five Pillars for organising this fundraiser on our behalf, and for getting so whole-heartedly behind our event. And its brilliant to see so many young people getting involved and developing leadership skills. They are an inspiration to us and others. We invite others to organise their own fundraising event too. This also has the benefit of raising awareness of our work with vulnerable young homeless people.”

 As well as organising the fundraising tournament, you can also sponsor the team of fun runners from Five Pillars Taekwon-Do – Muhammad Ayman, Majida Ayman, Bradyn MAN, Annabella Man, Amelie Man, Erin Poon, Mike Man, Maimuna Ayman, Malik Ayman. Go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/fivepillarstkdofficial.

 To enter the YMCA North London races and for further information, please go to ymcalondoncan.org

Our aim is to raise funds to enable members of our community to thrive. Your support allows us to provide much needed services for some of society’s most vulnerable groups, especially young people, through our housing, childcare and health and wellbeing services. Firstly, providing them with stability and support, then enabling them to achieve their goals of independence, health and wellbeing.

If you’d like to organise a fundraiser on our behalf, here’s some ideas:-

  • ‘Guess My finish time competition’ e.g. 55 minutes, 55 minutes 30 seconds, 56 minutes…etc @ £1 per guess
  • Organise a cake sale / cheese and wine event and charge people
  • Ask your charity pub quiz organisers to donate one week’s proceedings
  • Sell your unwanted belongings at a car boot/yard sale
  • Organise an Auction of Promises at work e.g. Do the coffee run every day for one week”
  • Donation of Promises for the person/people who pledge the most money e.g. “I will clean your kitchen for a month to the highest bidder”

If you’d like to organise a fundraising event, or have any other idea you’d like to discuss, please contact Alison Harrow,  Fun Run Fundraising, PR and External Communications Support on alison.harrow@ymca.northlondon.org.uk, or call her on 07720 849 650 (Monday, Wednesdays or Thursdays 2-5pm)

Fundraising materials can be available on request.