This March, can you jog 50 miles?
Get moving this March! Jog 50 miles between March 1st and March 31st and raise funds to support families who've lost their baby.
Sands want to ensure that everyone affected by the loss of a baby gets the support they need and deserve when facing the toughest of times. We want to campaign for change and support research so that fewer babies die and fewer families experience the pain of losing their baby.
Whether you jog, walk or run to reach your 50 miles target, every step you take and every pound you raise will help ensure no one faces the loss of a baby alone. Together we can continue do all that we can to stop families from experiencing this devastating tragedy.
Sign up and start fundraising by joining the Facebook group below:
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“I know jogging 50 miles isn’t easy, but it is achievable. Especially when you know your miles are supporting a family who have lost a baby. And you’ve got support from thousands of others in a Facebook Group, all wearing their Sands t-shirts for solidarity. It’s amazing how much easier it is to get out on the roads when you know you’re not the only one doing it. ”
Leeann Wilmer, Community Engagement Manager
Join our Strava club
Be inspired and cheer on the progress of others by joining our club on Strava. Click here to join.
Resources:
Download these resources to help you on your way:
FAQs:
You may have questions about the challenge. If you need to speak to a member of our team, you can email miles@sands.org.uk – but we’re quite busy to it may take us a couple of days to get back to you. In the meantime, you can read our FAQs below.
How do I sign up?
To sign up to the challenge, join the Jog 50 Miles in March group by clicking 'Join group' above.
Once you’re in the group, you can register for your t-shirt, set up your fundraiser, get tips, be inspired and find out anything you want to know about the challenge!
I don’t have Facebook but want to take part. How do I do this?
No problem! Simply fill out the registration form here.
We will send you a fundraising pack and t-shirt and you can set up an online fundraiser on JustGiving.
Where and when is this challenge?
This is a virtual challenge for everyone so you can do this throughout March at the best time for you. You can do this in your local area. You can do this together with your friends and family. Please adhere to any government guidelines for social distancing and restrictions at the time.
I’ve just signed up, now what?
Firstly, join the Facebook Group we set up for this challenge. Click 'Join Group' above. Once you’re in the group, you can register for your t-shirt, set up your fundraiser, get tips, be inspired and find out anything you want to know about the challenge!
Can I take part in the challenge if I am based overseas?
Yes, you can! You can sign up to challenge and join the Facebook group by clicking ‘Join group’ above. We can send a digital pack to your email - please email miles@sands.org.uk to request one. Due to postage costs, we are unable to send you a t-shirt pack in the post.
Is there an entry fee?
There is no entry fee for this challenge. We do however ask you to fundraise as part of your challenge. Facebook Fundraisers are the easiest way to raise money. You can set one up in a few seconds here. And then it’s really easy to share the page with your Facebook friends.
Is there a fundraising target?
We have no minimum or maximum amount that we would like you to raise. From our point of view, no matter how much money you raise, it will make a difference to bereaved families across the UK, and for that we are so grateful. We suggest setting yourself a target as it can be helpful to have something to aim for.
How do I raise money?
Facebook Fundraisers are the easiest way to raise money. You can set one up in a few seconds here. And then it's really easy to share the page with your Facebook friends.
Can I raise money on another online platform like Justgiving?
Yes, if you would like. Facebook sends the money directly to us and doesn’t charge you or us any fees, but if you would like to set up a fundraising page on another online platform, we recommend JustGiving. Just be sure to let us know this is what you’re doing by emailing miles@sands.org.uk
If you use a different online platform other than JustGiving or Facebook, please email miles@sands.org.uk with your fundraising page link.
Can I fundraise as part of a group with my friends and family?
Yes you can! You can do a joint Facebook Fundraiser page with your friends and family. The best way to do this is to nominate one person to create the Facebook Fundraiser on their own Facebook account. Then click edit organisers on the fundraiser and then you can add your team members . They will then be able to adjust and edit the fundraising page and add comments. Please email miles@sands.org.uk to let us know that you are fundraising as part of a team.
Tip: Edit the ‘Title’ and ‘About’ section on your page to add your team name and all your team member names.
Can I just raise money offline with a sponsorship form?
Absolutely. You can collect sponsorship in any way you like. We simply recommend Facebook Fundraisers for this challenge as they’re easy and hassle-free, but if you’d like a sponsorship form, then you can download one here.
How do I get my free t-shirt?
We'll send you a t-shirt and fundraising pack after you put your address and t-shirt size in here.
My t-shirt doesn't fit / I ordered a different size. Can you change it?
Of course. Please email shop@shop-sands.org.uk to let us know what size you received, and what size you need. We'll then send a new t-shirt with an envelope to return the other.
When will I get my t-shirt pack?
T-shirt packs will be posted in batches everyday from 12th February. It can take up to 10 working days for your T-shirt to arrive so please be patient whilst you wait for yours.
What is in my t-shirt pack?
A Sands t-shirt and a tracker for you to mark off your miles.
What are the t-shirt sizes?
Extra Small (32 inch chest)
Small (34 inch chest)
Medium (35-37 inch chest)
Large (38-40 inch chest)
Extra Large (44-46 inch chest)
2X Extra Large (47-49 inch chest)
3X Extra Large (50-52 inch chest)
4X Extra Large (53-55 inch chest)
My family want to do the challenge with me. Can they have t-shirts?
That's brilliant! If they're fundraising too, simply ask them to fill out the registration form here and we will send them fundraising packs and t-shirts.
If they're not fundraising as just taking on the challenge with you, we ask that you purchase t-shirts from the Sands shop here.
I still haven't got my t-shirt yet, where is it?
Sorry, you haven't received your t-shirt yet. You can email your details to shop@shop-sands.org.uk and we'll check this. Or, if you're not 100% sure you have given us your full address, you can provide it here
How do I keep track of how many miles I've done?
Some good free apps are Strava, RunKeeper and MapMyRun. But the most important thing is that you post updates on your Facebook Fundraiser so your friends and family see how hard you're pushing yourself! Once you’re home, use the tracker in your pack to record how many you did. You can also download the tracker here.
Do I have to jog my miles, or can I walk?
It’s up to you! If you want to complete your miles a different way, then go for it! Just be sure to post your progress and updates on your Facebook Fundraising page so friends and family can cheer you on and we can see how you’re doing too!
Does a football game count? Can I do my miles on a treadmill?
There are people of all levels of fitness doing this challenge. The important thing is that you're doing something that challenges you. This will vary from person to person, so tailor the challenge however you like. It should be tough, but doable. You should feel satisfied when you finish it! And we appreciate every single miles you do to help save babies’ lives.
Can I do a shorter/longer/earlier/later challenge?
Yes! Every jog/run you do will help Sands. So do this challenge in whatever way works best for you. Every jog/run is very much appreciated!
Do I need any equipment?
No, It is a good idea to make sure you have suitable clothing and shoes.
Why have some people started already the challenge?
Some people are training for the challenge now and sharing their miles with the group, but most people are starting the challenge on the 1st March!
How many miles per a day?
The challenge is to jog or run 50 miles during the month of March, therefore you can aim for over 1 ½ miles each day. You can do more some days if you want so you can add in rest days.
Do I have to prove I’ve completed the challenge?
You don’t need to prove you’ve completed the miles – we trust you! You can post videos, pictures and updates on your Facebook Fundraiser and in the group though, so we can see and congratulate you on your progress. Sharing updates is also a great way to show those who have sponsored you that you’re committed to completing the challenge. Download the milestone badges here.
What if I get an injury?
We advise you take every precaution to keep fit and healthy and not undertake any activity that you don't feel comfortable with or that might cause you to hurt yourself. If in doubt, please check with your GP. If you do get injured during the challenge, we encourage you to postpone completing it until you get fit and healthy again - we'll still be here to support you whenever that might be.
What if I don't complete the challenge?
The only thing that matters is that you challenge yourself. If you need to change the target, that’s okay. Do as much as you can. Every mile helps.
Where will my friends' money go?
Directly to us at Sands. You don't have to worry about this. It happens automatically through Facebook.
Someone/I accidentally donated to my Facebook fundraiser. Can you issue them a refund?
Unfortunately we can’t issue refunds - Facebook must do this. People can request a refund themselves from Facebook by following the below steps:
Send them this link: https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/162031714239823
- Select — I donated to a fundraiser on Facebook
- Select — I want a refund for my donation(s)
- Select — I made a donation by accident. Find their donation in the dropdown and request the refund.
How do I pay in my fundraising?
If you’ve collected offline fundraising, the easiest way to pay this to Sands if by donating it to your Facebook fundraiser.
If you don't have one, you can also donate on our website. You can do this here. Make sure to say that your money is for your Jog 50 Miles challenge so that we can make sure it is added to your total.
Make sure you email your sponsorship form to miles@sands.org.uk after donating so we can claim valuable gift aid.
If you’re not able to donate this way, then drop us an email to miles@sands.org.uk and we can discuss other ways of getting the donation to us.
How do I send you my sponsorship form?
If you’ve collected cash donations and have a completed sponsorship form, do scan and email this to us at miles@sands.org.uk so we claim any gift aid. If you’re not able to scan or send us a clear photograph, drop us an email anyway and we can let you know where to send your form via post. Don’t worry about filling in the serial number, we will fill that in for you.
What about my friends who aren't on Facebook? Can they donate?
Unfortunately it isn’t possible to donate to a Facebook fundraiser if you don’t have an account. We suggest asking them to transfer you the money, and you paying it to your Facebook fundraiser yourself. You could also donate via our website and adding the challenge name ‘Jog 50 Miles’ and the name of the person you are sponsoring. Please also email miles@sands.org.uk to let us know about this donation.
My friends donation isn't showing up on my Facebook Fundraiser?
Most donations appear instantly. But sometimes it takes up to 48 hours if they donated via PayPal or if they have slow broadband. But let us know if it still isn't showing in 48 hours and we'll see what we can do.
I can't find my Facebook Fundraiser, can you tell me where it is?
No problem! If you go to your own Facebook Profile Page and scroll down you'll find it there. Or you can click on this link to manage "Your active Fundraisers" - https://www.facebook.com/fundraisers/manage
Why has my Facebook Fundraiser closed early?
If your Facebook Fundraiser has automatically closed, we are unable to reopen it and therefore please set up a new fundraiser page here. Both of your online pages will be included in your final total and we are unable to link the two pages together.
I’ve created multiple fundraising pages - can I combine them?
Unfortunately, there isn’t a way to merge fundraising pages. What we suggest is to focus on sharing an updating one of the pages and set the end date to the other page for the next day. Both of your online pages will be included in your final total.
Will I get a medal?
Everyone who raises £150 and over will get a medal and certificate after the challenge ends. You don't need to do anything to get this. If we need any extra details from you, we'll be in touch.
When will my medal arrive?
Due to the number of people taking on the challenge, your medal might take a little longer to arrive. Please be patient with us as we send these out.
How do I stay safe in the Facebook group?
Whilst this group is Private, anyone on Facebook can join and view the content. Please take care not to share personal information, including maps sharing your location, and avoid meeting up with or messaging others outside of this group, without taking appropriate precautions.