Hello, I’m Megan and for those who don’t know me I work for Macmillan in the Fundraising Support Centre. It’s a lively, buzzing office most of the time anyway but for the past few weeks something extra wacky’s been going on – there’s been someone sat at their desk in festive fancy dress every single day. That someone is me and I’m here to tell you about my 25 days of festive costumes fundraising challenge and why I’m doing it.
This Advent, I vowed to only wear festive costumes from 1 December to Christmas Day. Over the past 19 days, I have been everything from a gingerbread man who held a bake sale to a Christmas tree who enjoyed mulled wine with friends to an elf that visited the fantastic Macmillan Tree of Light in Covent Garden.
Embarrassing myself in public
My 25-day challenge has included going to work, grocery shopping, nights out, a mini-break in London, a daily train commute, eating out and friends’ birthday parties. For absolutely all of those occasions over the last three weeks, I have looked utterly ridiculous and often felt very silly and even morbidly embarrassed.
My first venture to the local shops alone was a mental challenge I had to get over. It turned out that the staff were lovely and chatted to me about my fundraising. Then there was the first time I went to buy a sandwich at lunchtime dressed as an elf. I was worried about people staring loads but it turned out that I made a friend instead.
I’ve brought smiles to so many faces and had my own faith in humanity restored by how kind people have been, by the supportive public and by the generous donations that people have made to my fundraising total.
Though it’s been a long month and I can’t wait to don my non-festive clothing on Boxing Day, I took on this challenge for a very important reason. Macmillan do so much great work to support people affected by cancer – not just the individual who is going through a cancer experience but also their friends, family and colleagues can receive information and practical, emotional and financial support.
Why I fundraise
From my personal experience, my ex’s mum lived with cancer for many years and had nothing but enthusiasm for Macmillan, sharing her family’s story in case studies and being consulted for advice on policies by multiple cancer charities. Her passion sank into me, I think, and that’s what’s spurred me on to find a job that I love with a charity I love, and then to keep on doing great things for Macmillan outside of my working hours, too.
It is projected that by 2020, almost one in two people (47%) will get cancer in their lifetime, so raising money to grow Macmillan’s services is now more important than ever before. Whatever amount of money I can raise with my 25 days of festive costumes fundraising challenge, I know that that money will be going to funding vital services that people affected by cancer need and deserve. I’ve raised £439 in sponsorship so far, so fingers crossed I may even reach my £1000 target.
