Fundraising & Donations
We are a company Limited by Guarantee with Charitable Status (Registered Main Charity 1117457 Giroscope Limited). This means we are able to apply to trusts and charities for capital and revenue funding. Over the last twenty years we have steadily built up a relationship with ten to fifteen major trusts and charities to whom we approach from time to time with new proposals for funding. A typical application we would send out would consist of a proposal and budget to renovate six semi-derelict houses and flats over a three-year period in the Hessle Road community of West Hull.
As well as applying to trusts and charities for funding we have raised money over the years by organising our own fundraising events and activities, such as local benefit gigs and sponsored walks. We have also been fortunate enough to be given gifts in kind from companies and be awarded grants from English Partnerships, the European Regional Development Fund and the National Lottery.
Fundraising Events & Activities
The John Hegley Benefit Gig
At the end of November 2001 a highly successful Giroscope benefit gig took place at the packed New Adelphi Club in Hull. The impressive line-up consisted of John Hegley, the Perrier Award nominee comedy poet who was supported by his long-term pal Andrew Bailey and the fabulous Fonda 500. The venue was a sell-out and hundreds of pounds were raised for the organisation.
The event was organised by John Wood, Giroscope's Housing Officer and Tim Parsons from Make A Home. Make A Home is a charitable organisation that raises funds for and develops partnerships with self-help housing groups renovating empty properties in deprived areas.
The Three Peak's Challenge
Not surprisingly, the suggestion to climb Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike & Snowdon in under twenty-four hours, to raise funds for the company was made at a drinking session down the local pub. At first the collective response was fairly negative. People said things like, 'I'm not sure about that', 'don't be silly' and 'sounds a bit extreme'. However as the evening went on the idea seemed to strangely get better and better. By closing time everyone was up for the challenge and raring to go! The next morning people were secretly hoping that nobody would remember about the three peak's challenge. However a couple of people mentioned it at our weekly meeting and the challenge was on!
The event/nightmare began ridiculously early on a cold, wet and windy miserable morning at the base of Ben Nevis on Saturday 29th June 2002 and ended at the bottom of Snowdon ridiculously early on a cold, wet and windy miserable morning on Sunday 30th June 2002. Unfortunately for legal reasons I can't go into much detail about what happened during the expedition but comments like 'my knee has gone', 'where's the path?' and 'I can't see the top' were common place. However against all the odds the participants successfully completed the challenge by a matter of minutes, raising hundreds of pounds to help to bring further empty properties back into use.
Extras
The most surreal moments of the Three Peak's Challenge;
John was asked the following question by a passing climber whilst descending Snowdon: 'How far is it to the top of Ben Nevis?'
Attempting to find the start of the path at the base of Snowdon at 2:30am on Sunday morning using head torches.
The conversation in the pub about waterproof clothing that lasted for over an hour.
The worst piece of advice given to members of the team during the Challenge;
In the minibus after Scafell Martin advised John to 'eat as much as possible'. John then had some soup, two cheese sandwiches and a pastie. These semi-digested items of food then reappeared in a carrier bag about four minutes later.
The moment in the Challenge when everyone thought it had gone horribly wrong;
On the way down from Ben Nevis Michael began to look increasingly anxious and then said 'I don't remember this bog being here....'
Donations
Over the years we have been fortunate enough to receive funds from individuals who have wanted to support the work of our project. If you would like to make a donation to our organization please get in touch with us and we will send you a document that explains the different ways you can make a contribution.
Fundraising Links
Directory of Social Change - www.dsc.org.uk
Euronet - www.euronet.org.uk
Fonda 500 - www.fonda500.com
Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber - www.goyh.gov.uk
John Hegley - www.johnhegley.co.uk
New Adelphi Club - www.theadelphi.com