Actually each of us independently organised our own event, but it just happened that they culminated at the same time…and I couldn’t resist the headline!

As you will know, I have recently completed my latest camino walk and whilst I was away my partner David was busy raising sponsorship funds.  We gave our generous contributors the choice of donating to local charity CUDECA Cancer Hospice or Save The Children.  Many opted to divide their contribution between the two good causes, whilst others preferred to donate entirely to one or the other.  One hundred percent of the money raised goes directly to the charities – I fund my camino entirely from my own pocket

My contact at CUDECA is PR & Fundraising officer Natividad Gómez Ramos.  Nati visited Cómpeta last week to support the fundraising efforts of Martin Robinson, who made a big splash for the charity during his ‘Swim for Life’ when he completed 200 lengths of the 25 metre Cómpeta public swimming pool only a year after suffering bowel cancer and undergoing a major operation and gruelling chemotherapy.  I was at the pool with many other supporters to watch his last few lengths and he amazed us all, after 3.25 hours of swimming, when he completed his very last length entirely underwater.  An amazing achievement which, at the time of posting, has raised over 2,500 euros for the cancer charity.

Two days later Debi Bond completed a cycling challenge when she pedalled from sea level at Algarrobo up the mountain to Cómpeta at an altitude of 636 metres.  Debi has always kept herself very fit but last year she also had a shock to discover she was sufferring from cancer and had to undergo an operation to remove a kidney.  Cycling is a new challenge for Debi and she completed the 16 km climb in a time much quicker than she anticipated.  Another huge achievement.  Not all of the funds raised by Debi have been counted yet, but so far has raised well over £200 for Cancer Research UK and most likely over 400 euros for CUDECA.

Meanwhile, not only have our friends and neighbours given so generously to sponsor my walk, but a couple of local restaurants, Taberna de Oscar in Competa and La Plaza in Canillas de Albaida each donated a meal for two and these have raised 175 euros.  In total David has collected 470 euros for CUDECA and 468 euros for Save The Children.

David and I with Nati from CUDECA

When you consider that fundraising was going on at the same time for all three events, and we were all asking many of the same people for contributions, it is incredible that we all raised such substantial amounts.

However there is still room for more contributions.  If you are local to the Costa del Sol and Axarquia area of Spain and would like to donate to the wonderful work of CUDECA you can do so via their website at http://www.cudeca.org.  At the top left of the home page is a purple “donate now” box.  There is a facility under the box for the amount you wish to donate to indicate “Are you making this donation in memory of a family member or friend?” if you tick this box you can insert “Maggie’s Walk” and then the fundraisers at CUDECA will know to add the amount to the total that David and I have collected.

From left, Debi, Nati, Cindy who is the local CUDECA coordinator and fundraiser extraordinaire, me and Martin

I have also set up a Just Giving page on behalf of Save the Children.  I have used an online currency converter to calculate that the 468 euros raised for this cause is equivalent to £368.22.  And to allow for any fluctuations I have transferred the sum of £380 to this account.  I do hope that some of you might feel inclined to add to this amount and help children around the world to have a brighter future.

I know many of you have enjoyed my blog and that makes be very happy.  If you might consider making a contribution to either of my chosen charities then I would be even happier.  You can reach my Just Giving page here, or if you don’t want to follow the link, type “Just Giving” into your search engine and in the box that states “search for a charity, friend or project” type in Maggie Woodward and my page will be listed.

Very many thanks for your consideration and whether or not you decide to contribute, I sincerely hope that you will continue to follow my blog and comment whenever you have the time.