Volunteering, Study & Work My Mega Year

of Personal GrowthHolly Dougan –

MsC Business Management with HRM University of Chester

2014-2015

About Me: I am a 26 year old local girl who has

returned to University to complete a self-funded Masters Degree in order to further my career aspirations

I work full time alongside my study helping Manage the family run antiques and interior design business including weekends

During November 2014 I attended an introductory session for Childreach International and signed up to the 2014-15 Great Wall of China Trek

Meeting Childreach International My application and administration was

completed at the end of November 2014

My Fundraising started the same week I brought a Friend/Colleague along to

the meeting and Nicola also signed up to the Trek

We started planning our major event together the very next week

So the Fundraising Began…

Vintage Themed Sweet &

Doughnut Stall in Binks Reception

December 2014

Christmas Cake Sales, Tombola's

and Bucket Collection

December 2014

Work & Business Support

The Family Business over the seasonal period

provided competitions and donation sales to

support my fundraising efforts

and maintain a regular collection

pot where customers have

been very generous

Throughout November & December I had six constant weeks of exams and assignments leading up until Christmas but that did not dampen the fundraising fire…..

Something a bit different…. Contacting a network contact who runs a local

Antiques Fair was an exciting success as she kindly found space within the Christmas Fair allowing me to have a free table

Myself, customers, friends, family and the family business donated items for the table so all proceeds were added to the fundraising total

The Christmas Fair was such a success I was invited back twice for free to have further fundraising tables and raise awareness of the charity at the event

All the Fun of the Fair !

During January 2015 I began to list items on eBay using their charity donation option

This allowed sales to be completed with 100% charity donations made to Childreach International

Listed correctly it also allowed me to avoid listing and sellers fees

I then made contact with the charity once PayPal transferred the money for it to be added to my fundraising total

And all the while the cake sales continued…..

The Big Event – Willy Wonka Themed Quiz Night

(Not a smooth running event!) The fun of event management:• Planning began in

November 2014 ready for our event in March

• Our original date was double booked and changed within weeks of the event

• Our main feature for the event proved too costly and our funding was denied after several meetings and amendments

The Original Plan A sweet themed child's party with

the film playing in the background A blow up bungee run with prizes and

competitions Tuck shop, tombola, raffle and

themed drinks

So onto Plan B…… The Willy Wonka Quiz Night!

The Student Union helped change our date to a Sunday night where normally they would hold a quiz and the quiz planning began!

A themed cocktail was negotiated with the bar for a donation to our event and we arranged for a balloon arch to be made which we stuck oompa-loompa heads too

On the night two 6ft pasting tables were set up and we brought along a huge tombola, raffle and home made cake stall

Prizes for the winning teams were 1st Prize paintballing for 10 people with 20 paints each, 2nd Prize a huge food and drink hamper and 3rd Prize three bottles of wine. All prizes were achieved through donations by contacting local business, friends and family!

The Big Event….

Was a huge success!!

We were able to share the charity message Had just under 100 students take part in

the quiz and many more enjoying the raffle and cakes

The Quiz Master donated his services for free and created an amazing humorous atmosphere for all to enjoy!

We raised over £350 For weeks after the event I was meeting

students across campus I had only had a brief chance to speak with on the night and their compliments were touching making the night worth so much more…..

Being a part of the Chester Difference Excellence Award and the UCVolunteering Excellence Award through Chester University introduced me to Jill Topping Manager of the Santander University Branch.With her help and guidance I have been able to apply for Santander to fund match over £1300 and the application is now in the last stage of completion which I am so proud of !

Meeting Childreach International….Has started a mega year of personal growth both intellectually, emotionally and physically. The skills I have learned and practised have been priceless and something I can continue throughout the rest of my life and as part of my career.

As a mature student I have had to juggle full-time work, gaining work experience, completing my course, beginning my dissertation, considering new employment trying to have a work-life balance (which is now the topic for my dissertation) and fundraising for my total.

Fundraising is no easy task and I have great respect for anyone who takes part, the end goal is not only the important part it is the journey you travel along to get there, one which I hope will not end and I look forward to the next chapter of my story…..

Thank You for sharing in my

Journey!

Any Questions please?