I’m not a runner. I never have been despite my best efforts (my first ever junior run took over an hour to jog/walk 3 miles…) and yet I found myself contemplating the Great North Run this year, all in the name of Oxfam. I don’t think I would put myself through 13.1 miles (with hills) if it wasn’t for such a good cause.
Me in full Oxfam Stewarding mode at Leeds Festival 2007
I apologise for this slighty baking interlude but I really wanted to share this with you. I promise I will get back to cake as soon as possible or perhaps invent some way of combining the two. Cake Running. Now that’s my kind of sport.
Field of flags at Glastonbury
I’ve been supporting Oxfam for quite a few years now, volunteering at music festivals and donating on a regular basis. If you ever get the chance to volunteer for Oxfam, I really recommend that you do.
What a wonderful group of friends
I met the most wonderful group of friends through Oxfam, watched some amazing bands and made it to Glastonbury and Leeds Festival in the process, in return for stewarding at the festivals, doing three eight hour shifts. Stewarding at festivals also helps Oxfam to raise money.
Glastonbury got a bit muddy but look at those smiles! Oxfam Stewards
Night shift got a bit on the cold side
Me holding back the crowds with a security guard before Leeds Festival opened
But I haven’t had as much time as before to spend a week stewarding at festivals, what with travelling the globe and having a proper job, so I really wanted to do something to actively support Oxfam and the fantastic work that they’re doing.
The infamous Pyramid Stage before the crowds arrived at Glastonbury
Did you know to have the biggest possible impact on the lives of poor people worldwide, Oxfam concentrates on three areas of work?
Tackling poverty in 70 countries including the UK to ensure people can live healthy and safe lives.
I’m looking to raise a minimum of £300 before I run the Great North Run on 16th September 2012. If you have a little spare money that you would like to donate it will be very gratefully appreciated by the millions of people who Oxfam support and also by me. Each pound that is donated will help me get one foot in front of the other and push me on to train to get through those 13.1 miles. (That 0.1 of a mile is definitely important!)
Rather a lot of mud to get stuck in
At the moment millions of people in West Africa are at risk of starvation. Due to low rainfall, poor harvests, high food prices and a lack of pasture means that 13 million people are at risk of serious food shortages across the Sahel region. Oxfam aims to reach 1 million of them. £25 will pay for the vaccination of 15 goats which can then provide food and an income for families.
My target it to raise a minimum of £300. Fingers crossed! And £300 is more than enough to provide clean, safe drinking water for nine families in West Africa, by building or repairing water sources.
Oxfam has achieved so much already but they need continued support to ensure they can reach those who need it most. In this year alone they have secured clean water, public health and sanitation for nearly 34,000 refugees from the conflict in Sudan.
I know that any donations that are pledged will be a sure fire way to motivate me to put the cake down and get my trainers on. Thank you very much not only for reading this post, but also for donating anything that you can.
Just in case you need it my online fundraising page can be found here… JustGiving/Lauren-Prince
Hey Big Spender! Dame Shirley Bassey performing at Glastonbury
Around the World in 80 Bakes 
Fab post Lauren. Cake running sounds like my kind of sport too, I might be more inclined to run if there was cake at the finish line.
I am absolutely broke at the moment with starting my new job, but if you remind me in July or August I should be able to sponsor you. Or I can donate cake of some kind? Best of luck for the GNR. xx
Thank you so much Nelly. I really appreciate your kind words. That would be fantastic if you could sponsor me in the future. I totally understand and I’m also eagerly awaiting pay day which can never come quick enough it seems! I will hopefully see you at the May CCC too. Perhaps we could initiate a cake running event and get the CCC involved! Or a cake sale to fundraising for Oxfam would be awesome too! Good luck for your new job. I bet your excited now! Looking forward to hearing all about it. 🙂
This is a good thing you are doing, Lauren. Alas, I have no funds to send you at this time. Good luck.
Thank you so much for your encouragement Sharyn! It means a lot to me. I need every bit that I can get! 🙂
I will sponsor you for £25 but couldn’t get through on your link so will try again – or can send it to you at some point. A very good cause – I like to support Oxfam and did a 34 mile walk for them a few years ago. This year I’ve only managed my Sport Relief mile so far but I did have my three little grandchildren with me and we raised £185!! Good luck! X
Hello! Wow thank you so so much! I’ve had a quick check of the links on the page and they seem to be working but just in case they are being problematic you could try copying and pasting the address into your web browser it is http://www.justgiving.com/Lauren-Prince Congratulations on your sports mile fundraising and your 34 mile walk is amazing! I’m very impressed! How long did that take? I have a feeling it would take me a wee k!! I
Hi! I have managed to put it on for you! The 34 miler took just under 9 hours – it was an incredibly hot summer day so was quite tough! X
Thank you so so so much for your very generous donation! It really means a lot to me. This will definitely give me to the push to get my trainers on tomorrow night after work and run out in the rain! Thank you so much for the inspiration! 🙂 I’m so very impressed with your 34 miler and on a really hot day too! Fantastic stuff!!! x x x
Some beautiful photos and memories and what a challenge – keep reminding us and I will try to put some money on your link nearer the time! Good luck with the training!
Thank you so much for your kind words and your encouragement! I will be needing all the luck that I can get as I’m really not very runner like. I will definitely keep mentioning it every now and again and I’m sure I will be tweeting about it too. Hope you don’t get bored of me! That would be fantastic if you wanted to donate too. Anything that you can offer is very greatly appreciated! I’m already planning my next run for tomorrow if the torrential rain lets up! (fingers https://aroundtheworldin80bakes.com/wp-admin/admin-ajax.phpcrossed!)
Wow, that is really something, I do hope you are training, it’s such a wonderful cause. I wish you good luck and look forward to seeing the photos comes September. Now back to cake!
Eva kitcheninspirations.wordpress.com
Thank you so much Eva! I really appreciate your well wishes. I will definitely be taking some photos along the way too. The normal baking service will resume asap! 🙂 x
Oxfam is a great cause. Congrats on taking on all the fundraising. It will be great to find out how you go. And then you’ll be back to the cooking? xx
Thank you! Definitely writing about baking again very very soon. I have a few things up my sleeve 🙂 x
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