Giving something back
By Ross Fittall, Director with Argent
Part of my 40th birthday celebrations this year has seen me setting myself a unique set of challenges – what I’ve termed my 40 at 40.
I decided I could set myself not just one, but 40 targets, many of which I’d always wanted to achieve but never got round to. Still others have been about me trying something new and creating experiences I can share with my family.
From watching 100 cinema classics to running the London Marathon and completing an Ironman Triathlon, everything on my list is placing me on either a physical or psychological journey, and quite often both at the same time!
Far from being a mid-life crisis, this challenge has been about pushing myself to new limits, while all the time raising money for a very worthy local charity, St. Basil’s.
St. Basil’s is a great organisation that works to address youth homelessness in and around Birmingham. This year the charity was recognised with a UK Housing Award in the ‘Outstanding approach to Tackling Homelessness’ category and I’ve seen for myself the very practical help and support they give to thousands of young people year in, year out.
Knowing I am doing something to support their services has really helped motivate me to put in the training I need to reach some of my more difficult challenges.
The amount of time put into my first Marathon and Ironman challenges has been phenomenal. But with the support of my wife, children and wider family, it has been an experience I have learnt to relish for the increased fitness and focus it has given me.
The great thing is I have now completed roughly half of my challenges, including giving up alcohol for 40 days, starring as an extra in a TV drama, going wild swimming and learning a new language.
I’ve already exceeded my original fundraising target of £4,000. With support from Avison Young and my employer, Argent, I am actually already past £5,000 so have set myself the extra challenge now of attempting to raise as close to £7,000 as I can by the end of the year.
But the challenges haven’t all been about physical fitness. Some of the most significant things I have done are about making positive choices to help others. Becoming an organ donor. Donating blood. Helping out at a soup kitchen. These are things I can keep on doing beyond this year and which have the capacity to have a long-lasting effect on other people.
I hope my challenge will have a positive impact on St. Basils’ and the work they do, and may even inspire others to do something similar!
You can donate via www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ross-fittall
And for those who want to know what each of my 40 challenges are, here goes!
I am going to:
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- Sleep Rough
- Learn a new language
- Raise at least £4,000 for charity
- Cycle up the Alps
- Give up alcohol for 40 days
- Run the London Marathon
- Take up yoga
- Become an organ donor
- Go to an open air concert
- Go paragliding
- Run the 3 Peaks Challenge
- Help out at a soup kitchen
- Watch all of the Empire 100 Greatest Movies
- Watch a film in the open air
- Write a poem
- Go on a road trip in a VW camper van
- Complete an obstacle running event
- Create a time capsule for the girls
- Take part in the Race the Sun Lake District event
- See a Shakespeare play at the RSC
- Buy a canoe and canoe along the River Avon
- Go on holiday with old friends
- Learn to dance
- Make my own beer
- Go to a festival
- Get an article or photo published
- Be an extra in a movie or TV show
- Donate blood
- Visit a War Memorial
- Go wild swimming
- Put my phone down every night at 9pm
- Read a life changing book
- Go on a father-daughter camping trip
- Create a family tree
- Cook a curry from scratch
- Take the scenic route
- Fly a kite – it’s been too long!
- Make a dish with a fish I’ve caught and something I’ve picked from the wild
- Document the 40 at 40
- Complete an Ironman Triathlon…….
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