The Projects Magazine’s Post

Almaty Marathon moving the community beyond the finish line #bne #bneEditorsPicks #Kazakhstan Over the years the Almaty Marathon has grown to become the largest marathon in Central Asia and has effects far beyond the finish line. The event, one of the select few charitable marathons globally, aims not only to promote health and an active lifestyle but also works to tackle broader societal challenges. What began as a small local race has now transformed into a major international event, drawing runners from over 44 countries. Last year, more than 12,000 participants took part, showing just how much the marathon has grown in popularity. But it's not just about the numbers—the marathon has put Almaty on the map for sports enthusiasts and tourists alike. It’s a chance for the city to shine, with local businesses reaping the benefits. Hotels, restaurants, and transport services experience a significant boost in activity as visitors flood in, contributing millions of tenge to the local economy.

Please help Us Raise £2,000 to Bring Mobile Access to Over 200 People! https://lnkd.in/egcWTRUz Find out more about our Road to Preparation and how you can help us achieve our goal of completing 200 miles and raising £10 per mile! A passionate team of over-50s from Edinburgh is gearing up for an incredible challenge to support a worthy cause. On June 22nd, we'll be taking on Chase The Sun Cycle North double-century feat, cycling an epic 200 miles from the beachfront at Whitley Bay at sunrise (04:40 am), cycling through the beautiful countryside of Dumfries and Galloway Council, to the esplanade at Ayr by sunset (22:05 pm). Jan Lauckner Judy Hardy Why We're Riding Our goal is to raise £2,000 to provide internet data to over 200 people in Scotland. In today's world, internet connectivity is essential for education, employment, healthcare, and staying connected with loved ones. Your donation will help bridge the digital divide and bring vital access to those who need it most. We are therefore proud to be supporting People Know How, a charity striving to make everyone connected and eradicate digital exclusion. People Know How runs the Connecting Scotland Helpline (SCVO (Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations), helping everyone to be digitally included across Scotland. Their support consists of the provision of Data SIMs, ensuring that more people have access to the internet. (www.peopleknowhow.org) ·      Donate: Please contribute whatever you can to help us reach our goal of £2,000. Every pound makes a difference! ·      Share: Share our campaign on social media, with friends, and within your community. ·      Support: Send us messages of encouragement to keep our spirits high during training and on the big day. Did you know: ·      It is estimated that, in the UK, approximately 13-19 million people over the age of 16 are experiencing some form of digital poverty ·      In 2022, the average data consumption per user increased by 24% to 8GB per month, up from 5.6GB per month in the previous year increasing the cost. ·      The 2022 Lloyds Bank Consumer Digital Index established around 14 million people in Britain (a rather sizeable 27% of the population) still have the lowest digital capability. This means they’re not only likely to struggle to interact with online services but are at risk of being left out of society. Join us in making a real difference. Your support will motivate us to complete this challenging ride, and help provide essential mobile access to over 200 people. Together, we can bridge the digital divide and create lasting change. Thank you for your generosity and support! People Know How #FixTheDigitalDivide Good Things Foundation Nominet The Edinburgh Remakery Dumfries and Galloway Council

Here’s how we turned a free event into £3,000 in donations It’s also the story about my next 50by50 fundraiser – my personal challenge to raise £50k for charity by the time I turn 50. So, 50by50 fundraiser #2 is Ride Lichfield Sportive – a charity bike ride through the picturesque Staffordshire countryside, that we’ve resurrected after a 5 year café-stop. I’m co-organising it with my friends, the LEJoG Sisters, and local bicycle recycling and confidence building charity, Lichfield Re:Cycle (psst, I’m also a trustee). One of our charitable objectives at Lichfield Re:Cycle is to encourage people to get out on their bikes by, you guessed it, organising community cycling events. Giving people access to these events is hugely important part of what we do. The benefits of cycling shouldn’t be available only to those who can afford them. So we removed one financial barrier by making the event free. But we knew the event was also a prime opportunity to fundraise. So here’s what we did: 🚴♀️🚴♂️🚴 Designed an event with broad appeal The pandemic peak of popularity for pedalling might have passed but cycling is still enjoyed by huge numbers. Which meant a big pool in which to fish for participants. Plus, the endlessly wise Simon & James from Lichfield Re:Cycle created 2 scenic & occasionally challenging but not intimidating routes, literally starting on people’s doorsteps in Lichfield. Making the ride accessible to people with a wide range of fitness levels. 🖼️ We framed the ride’s value We framed that value both in impact it will have on charity but also literally in cash terms. This meant stating the cost of similar local rides. Telling people they could pay what they wanted. And planted some numbers in people’s minds: “Whether you pay £5 or £50 - though we suggest at least £15 - you'll help to raise money…” Spoiler: It worked. Average donation was £17. 🌟 Be seen in all the right places We were smart about how and where we promoted Ride Lichfield. An event webpage was out starter for 10, then we added the event to sportive event listing sites, emailed previous participants, had a little coverage in the local press and in the community Facebook group. We pressed the flesh too. Handing out some cute little Moo cards – with a QR code (of course!) for registration – at another popular local charity sportive. And we did £130 worth of Meta advertising, helping us reach close to 20,000 Facebook and Instagram users, sending 1,600 of those to the sign-up page (more about this another time). 📈 The results? Well, we had a few people take the free option. A handful donated £5, and one £45 donation. Giving us an average donation of just under £17 – raising a stellar £3199 in total. Not bad for a free event, right? So roll on a week on Sunday when we’ll welcome our riders and thank them for their fabulous generosity. #RideLichfield #50by50 #cycling #charity #fundraising #lichfield #staffordshire

What do you do with a gym-full of fitness equipment that is no longer needed? Skillful matchmaking between businesses and charities is key to keeping unwanted assets out of the landfill. Even bulky and hard-to-recycle items can find a home and be reused. Is your business renovating, upgrading or clearing out storage space? Learn more about how to donate for reuse. https://lnkd.in/eiXn24mQ #recycling #reuse #Sustainability #donation #SpringCleaning

The countdown is on! EyeRide 2024 is almost here, and we can’t wait to pedal with you. Before you hit the road, make sure you’ve got these must-haves: 1. Bike Helmet: Your trusty helmet is your best friend on this ride. Safety is key! 2. Sunscreen: Lather up to keep those UV rays at bay. Sunburns are no fun! 3. Water Bottles: Hydration is crucial. It’s going to be a hot day so we recommend bringing 2 water bottles on your bike. Fill up your water bottle at home and bring it along. There will be electrolyte available at the start line. 4. Sandals or Extra Shoes: After a long ride, you’ll want a comfy pair of shoes. Pack some sandals or extra shoes if you’re in cycling shoes. 5. Your ID and Health Card: Be prepared for any situation by bringing your ID and health card. 6. Bike Repair Items: Be prepared for small repairs. We highly recommend bringing 2 spare tubes, a small air pump, tire irons and patch kit. Our Lions Clubs International partners are excited to support EyeRide. They’ll have snacks, water and electrolytes at Schomberg and Stayner, plus they’ll provide lunch at Alliston’s PPG Park. We encourage riders to stop, hydrate and refill your water bottles along the route. For riders ending in Collingwood, we will be ending the ride at The Collingwood Brewery where you’ll receive a beverage and dinner. The weather is forecasted to be sunny and 27°C, so plan accordingly for your comfort and safety. We will be cycling rain or shine! You can donate and support EyeRide by clicking on the link here: https://lnkd.in/dmnfKrPu #EyeRide #EyeRide2024 #Fundraiser #Volunteering

It all began with an evening Zoom meeting where a few allies and members of the vision loss community gathered, feeling a mix of disappointment and disbelief. A long-standing charity ride and beloved community event had ended. As we talked, our conversation shifted to curiosity, possibility, and purpose. In less than six months, from an idea to an event, 40 cyclists raised over $53,000 for two underfunded charities that significantly enhance the quality of life for the vision loss community. Being a founding member of the EyeRide organizing committee has been an incredible honor. As we wrap up EyeRide 2024, here are five key lessons I’ve learned: 1.  Define and Align with Your Purpose: Early on, the committee agreed on EyeRide’s vision, mission, and a key principle: keeping the event unapologetically simple. This simplicity ensured a higher donation amount would be evenly split between our 2024 charities—BALANCE for Blind Adults and TRAILBLAZERS Tandem Cycling Club. Clarity on our vision, mission, and principle made decision-making easier. This foundational work saved us time, energy, and kept us aligned with the bigger purpose. 2.  Set an Audacious Goal: We aimed high with a June 22nd event date, targeting 100 cyclists, 20 tandem bikes, and a stretch fundraising goal of $100,000. Did we hit every goal? No, and we are incredibly proud of our achievements. We launched the website and fundraising platform mid-April and surpassed our base fundraising goal of $50,000. With 15 tandem bikes powered by sighted captains and blind or low-vision stokers, the event was powerfully inclusive. 3.  Leverage Team Member Strengths: Our diverse backgrounds and expertise were a tremendous asset. From legal matters, securing sponsors to website accessibility testing, logistics, volunteer recruitment and fundraising, everyone played a crucial role. Informal sub-teams moved key items forward quickly, then brought them to the committee for final input and decision. With a clear purpose and an intention to serve, sh*t got done. 4.  Power of Relationships: Organizing a multi-site charity ride takes a village. By tapping into our networks, we mobilized the necessary expertise with remarkable ease and speed. From website development, GPS route mapping to our fantastic rest stop partners—the Lions Clubs of Forest Hill, Schomberg, Alliston, and Stayner—our relationships were key to our success. 5.  Keep a Sense of Humor: Sometimes, you just have to laugh, and we did. With audacious goals and many moving parts, humor helped us maintain perspective, dissolve tension, and kept us looking forward. With gratitude for the leadership and passion of my fellow EyeRide organizing committee members: Warren Cooney, Ginny Duff, Mitch Kamiel, Michael Ovens, Sanjana Samuel, Chris Spinney, Lynda Spinney, and John Tomasino. Do these lessons resonate with your experiences on projects? Comment below. #EyeRide2024 #FundraisingEvent #LeadershipLessons

In 2022, we launched an initiative called Sustainable 22, which includes a list of 22 micro-actions that employees can take to support carbon reduction in their daily lives. Among the various suggestions, one particularly amazing idea is "Bike to Work," which has been enthusiastically embraced by our employees worldwide. They have further customized the concept to suit local conditions, resulting in positive outcomes. We are delighted to share an example of Giant Group Europe Manufacturing in the Netherlands. Our employees can track their riding distance and earn points in a reward system called Trapper. They can redeem their points for a diverse range of rewards, including merchandise, gift cards, or donations to charitable causes. In addition to promoting cycling as a practical means of commuting to work, we have further enhanced our initiative by organizing engaging after-work cycling activities. These events are designed to foster a sense of camaraderie among our employees and encourage recreational cycling, all while emphasizing the numerous benefits associated with this invigorating form of exercise. Presently, we are thrilled to have one-third of our employees participating in Bike to Work, and we endeavor to expand our cycling community even further. We hope these experiences will inspire individuals to embrace cycling as a recreational sport as we champion a healthier lifestyle! #GiantGroup #Sustainable22 #BiketoWork #Sustainability #HealthyLifestyle #SustainableTransportation

Godel started the global charity project called #BeKindMarathonGT in Vilnius – the team organised a bicycle ride and gave away the flashlights to bicyclers passing by. This initiative was intended to draw attention to the accidents which happen due to neglect of using flashlights while riding in the dark. All Godel offices around the world are becoming the links in a chain of kindness. During 2024, one location passes the baton to another, immersing themselves in the whirlpool of good deeds. The team of each office choose the initiative, volunteering or a flash mob they would like to support. After the event is over, the location passes the baton to colleagues from another office, sharing their experience and inspiring them to new ideas. This is how kindness is spreading throughout the Godel offices from Tbilisi to Manchester. The Godel Vilnius team focused on the problem of bicyclers who don’t use flashlights during the night riding in Lithuania. Thereby, they run a high risk to get in an accident. In May the team organised a ride starting from Lukiškių aikštė. While riding the participants gave away the flashlights to bicyclers passing by. “More than 20 Godel Vilnius employees rented bicycles and gave away flashlights. We saw a big problem in Lithuania when most people don’t use flashlights and they aren’t seen in the evening. We chose this initiative because you can ride a bicycle all around the country, Vilnius is a friendly city for this kind of transport. And of course, in such a way we are saving CO2 as well. Our charity event means a lot to me personally because we are riding bicycles most of our free time and it’s vitally important to make riding as safe as possible.”, says Dmitrij Saveljev, Head of Operations at Godel Vilnius. The Godel Vilnius team passed the baton to the Godel office in Wroclaw, Poland. Community Marketeer Alina Mihun, the founder of #BeKindMarathonGT explains: “We just want to remind everyone that even a small act of kindness can become a part of something big and important – this idea makes people closer to each other. All BeKind marathoners give a part of themselves to this project and in return, feel that given part with warm memories. This was important yesterday, it’s important today, it will be important tomorrow and this will stay with us forever.” It’s not the first corporate social responsibility event at Godel Vilnius – the guys regularly volunteer at animal shelters, run charity marathons, and go hiking. Now the Godel Vilnius team is looking for new members. Follow the link to learn the options.        https://lnkd.in/eE4PxFji  

National Ride2School Day fundraising Next Week on the 10th March I am an official wave leader for a cycling Event in Victoria which is 235km and over 4500m in vertical meters being Peaks Challenge.   My role is called the Lantern Rouge and its to ride at the 13hr time cutoff but ultimately it’s about helping each participant reach their goal to finish the day on the bike. It is without a doubt the hardest one-day ride in Australia and takes many months planning and a lot of luck and determination on the day. This year Bicycle Network of which I am a member (not for profit) are raising funds for their National Ride2School Day The below Link is my fundraising page and any donations will be greatly appreciated.    https://lnkd.in/gxCKZcmF YOUR DONATION IS SUPPORTING BICYCLE NETWORK   Our Ride2School program is under threat   For 17 years, Bicycle Network's Ride2School team has been setting young Australians up for healthy futures by promoting physical activity as a part of daily life.     Our program reaches hundreds of thousands of students around the country through bike education workshops, neighbourhood route planning and National Ride2School Day, Australia's biggest celebration of active travel.   The Victorian Government has funded the program since 2006, but this agreement has come to an end and the future of Ride2School hangs in the balance.      As a registered health charity, we know the value of bikes and physical activity when it comes to preventative health. Ride2School is our way of passing these tools onto the next generation.    We've never turned to the public to support our flagship behaviour change program before, but if there's one thing we know about people and bikes, it's that they always stop to help when someone's in need.     And that's where we find ourselves. Even the smallest of contributions will help set our children up for happy and healthy lives.    All donations will help our Ride2School team continue its life-changing work.  $25 could pay for a road safety awareness session for one student   $50 could pay for a bike education skills session for one student  $100 could pay for a training session on an adapted cycle for one student  $500 could pay for a Bicycle Network-hosted active travel day at one school  $1000 could pay for an active travel map outlining safe routes to get students to one school  $5000 could pay for a complete Ride2School program for one school Your donation is tax deductible and will help us empower students to build their confidence and develop healthy habits for life. Ben Gove To keep the Ride2School program running we are after an immediate injection of $50k by the end of financial year so our team can continue to work closely with schools, students, parents, and local ...

Calling All Corporates and Cycling Enthusiasts! We’re thrilled to announce that registration is now open for this year's Young’s Bike Tour, an event that brings together the passion for cycling with the spirit of giving back. This exceptional ride benefits not only URS but three other dedicated nonprofits, making a broader impact in our communities. Assemble your own team, or join TEAM URS! This is a fantastic opportunity for corporate teams to engage in team-building, wellness, and corporate social responsibility initiatives. Assemble your colleagues, challenge other departments, or compete with other companies to see who can make the largest impact or have the biggest team! Why Participate? Team Building: Unite your team outside the office in a fun and meaningful way. Community Impact: Directly contribute to the invaluable work of four nonprofits, including URS, enhancing the lives of many. Health & Wellness: Promote a healthy lifestyle within your organization while having fun. Don’t miss this chance to make a difference, enjoy the camaraderie of your colleagues, and contribute to a great cause. Register to join our team today: https://lnkd.in/eTncNwjV Let’s pedal towards making a lasting impact. Join us and showcase your company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and community engagement. #CorporateSocialResponsibility #TeamBuilding #CyclingForACause #YoungsBikeTour #RegisterNow #MakeAnImpact