Dayzie's top tips for Take on 250
Dayzie was one of the youngest fundraisers taking part in last year’s Take on 250 challenge and we were blown away with her amazing efforts! Dayzie who lives with a condition called FND (Functional neurological disorder) began losing her sight at age 8 eventually losing vision in both eyes at age 12. However, this has not stopped her challenging herself, with her achievements being featured on BBC South Today, BBC Radio Berkshire and plenty more!
We asked Dayzie why she decided to take part in Take on 250 for Berkshire vision?
“As a Berkshire Vision member myself, I know how much the support from the charity helps me and some of the other members. So, when the Take on 250 fundraiser was created, OF COURSE I wanted to get involved!
At the time of doing the fundraiser I needed something positive to properly focus on and the challenge aspect of the Take on 250 gave me something to work on and to achieve. As the name says take on 250 meaning doing something for 250 minutes, times, laps like I did etc gave me that boost and target to try and challenge myself to reach.
I chose to do swimming as it’s something I loved when I had sight and I had to re-learn as a teenager how to swim again being blind with no sight at all. I could have done 250 laps of the swimming pool over a couple of days or throughout the whole month the fundraiser was going (January 2023) but I did it all in one day to make it more of a challenge after all, I do love being in water and swimming!
My advice to you all as I want EVERYONE to take part in take on 250:
-Don’t put it off! Don’t leave it to the grown-ups to fundraise! You’ll have so much fun and what do you have to lose by taking part?
-Be creative with what you do, if the barrier for you fundraising is “I don’t know what I’d do to fundraise” try thinking a little bit harder (in the nicest way possible) something you could do in your own house might take less planning, try to include some of your interests, what’s a skill you’ve recently learnt? Do it 250 times or 250 minutes, figure out how to make a fundraising page where people donate to your challenge, you attempt and hopefully complete your 250 challenge, and all the donated money you’ve raised goes to Berkshire vision.
-Everyone can take part in fundraising! Old people, young people, teens, adults, children, no sight/no vision, some sight/some vision and sighted humans can take part!
– “but I don’t think anyone will donate” has that happened though? Have you tried fundraising and has no one donated? Most likely not. If you share your fundraiser, and if other people share your fundraiser, you’re bound to get at least one supporter! And if you’ve started your Take on 250 fundraiser journey and it isn’t going to well (which won’t happen) just give it time! Some people might want to donate closer to the time, whilst you’re in the middle of your fundraiser or once you’ve finished.
The sooner you start planning your fundraiser, the better as time is something you don’t get back, and if you put the planning off (for doing the fundraiser) the more time gone from actually raising critical funds for Berkshire Vision!”
If you have been inspired like we have by Dayzie and would like to take part in our 2024 Take on 250 challenge you can register your interest at https://berkshirevision.org.uk/takeon250 . All those who register will receive their FREE fundraising pack and will be supported in their efforts from start to finish.
If you aren’t able to take part but would like to support the efforts of our incredible supporters like Dayzie taking part this year then you can donate through our just giving page https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/BVTakeon250
