Over the last three days, one dad has put himself through the challenge of a lifetime in the hope that doing so would raise enough money to help his wheelchair-bound daughter walk.I was fortunate enough to be a part of this story, supporting from a PR point of view and as a trustee of the new charity supporting the effort, Superhero Foundation. The charity was set up by fundraising adventurers and cousins Kev Brady and Jamie McDonald, with a great support team including ex-Great British Volleyball player and event specialist Jody Gooding, nutritionist Jamie Richards and strength and conditioning specialist Ed Archer. It aims to provide the framework for people keen to fundraise for issues close to their heart.We needed to raise £20,000 for specialist treatment in the States… and, planned to so with a monumental ‘Everest’ challenge, as the video below highlights:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=my-SyBd_3DoIf you don’t have time to watch it – after their own fundraising stalled and Kev and Jamie were introduced, the family were asked if dad James Bottger, a 37 year old welder from Slimbridge, would like to attempt ‘Everest’.Not the real Everest of course – that costs a fortune – but Everest in the sense of climbing a hill in Gloucester, local to the family, 75 times in a row, in a fundraising feat we knew would take 50+ hours non-stop. If completed, it would mean 90 miles of walking.Well, James started the challenge on Saturday the 20th at 10am and against the odds – and I really mean that, as the (vertical – ignore that!) post below shows, finished last night (Monday 22nd) at approximately 10pm, supported by a crowd of perhaps 150 people. He slept for just two 90 minute stints throughout the 60 hour feat and lost more than 5 kg (11 lbs).
The £20,000 target has been ABSOLUTELY smashed online and offline, with money still rolling in (donate here if you would still like to support), so Charlotte’s treatment can go ahead.By learning about, donating, coming to the hill to support, connecting with and sharing the story, the public has given little Charlotte (clutching Winnie the Pooh in the photo below) the best chance at a new life.
During the duration of the challenge, many people that previously had little to no knowledge of PR got to see it in action.Whether it was arranging for the media to attend, helping them get what they needed or keeping the public constantly updated via social media posts (one idea of mine was for James to have a photo taken every time he reached the top), it was a genuine pleasure to allow people to see behind the curtain and see that, you know, PR isn’t ALL spin, sordid parties and salaciousness. It can be a great tool to tell stories that really do deserve to be told, too.It’s often said that the media only feature bad news, but the way the likes of the BBC, ITV, local papers and radio reported on this story shows otherwise. They’ve been, and continue to be today as they each follow up on the story’s aftermath, absolutely unwavering in their support and for that, I know the Bottgers and Superhero Foundation will always be very grateful.All in all, just an absolutely amazing long weekend and challenge to be involved with.Enough of all that though, these other stories won’t spin themselves…