On the evening of Saturday 23rd March we held our very first JIGSAW Jaunt, a sponsored community walk in the centre of Thornbury. The walk was themed “Through the decades” as a nod to our 10th birthday year, where walkers were encouraged to dress up in clothes from their favourite decade, adding to the fun nature of the event.
We were delighted to have such a well attended event with 19 supporters and members of JIGSAW Thornbury raising £1,252.50 through entry fees and sponsorship from family and friends. A very fitting end to mark the end of our 10th birthday celebrations! Thanks to everyone that took part, donated or supported the event in some way.
Community fundraising for our 10th birthday year
This brings the total for our community fundraising over the past year to over £7,000 in total. A special thank you goes to our 3 peaks challenge team who reached the summit of the 3 highest peaks of England, Wales and Scotland within 24 hours last May 2023, and our young fundraiser star, Noah, who turned his passion for the London Underground into a summer challenge aged 14 years old. We’re delighted that he has since been shortlisted for the Fundraising Hero category at the Bristol Young Heroes Awards 2024 for his creative fundraising idea.
”I wanted to raise money for JIGSAW and go into London because I haven’t been for ages. It was really great!” Noah, JIGSAW young member.
The amount raised by people fundraising for us has been enough to fund a part time Family Wellbeing and Support Worker to run our weekly term time drop-in group and 1:1 support for parent carers throughout the year.
“JIGSAW is a massive part of my life, a lifeline, especially through the dark times and most challenging times, I don’t know where I’d be if we hadn’t been introduced to it.”
These are the words of one of our member parent carers. We could not deliver this impact without the support of those who fundraise for us.
Walking with the community for a JIGSAW Jaunt
The walk consisted of one 5km loop around accessible paths in Thornbury, with the option for more adventurous walkers to complete a second loop to make 10km. We are grateful for the support of Elite Fitness Thornbury whose owner Russell Knight helped to design and map out the route and provided walkers with a complimentary week’s pass to use the facilities at the gym. The gym also provided a photographer to record the event, and marshals on the night who were invaluable in making sure walkers were following the right route and encouraging their efforts.
A ‘Super Mario’ inspired warm-up was led by over very own CEO and personal trainer Hattie Clayton before the walk started to get everyone in the mood and off to a flying start on a cold evening.
Lisa Straccia, our People and Participation Lead, organised the event and said:
“I am so proud with how the event turned out, it was so lovely seeing people chatting, making new friends and sharing their stories. I want to thank everyone that took part, all those who sponsored us and a special thanks to our marshals who braved the cold and kept us safe and sane!”
Exercise, spending time outdoors, and connecting with others are all important parts of managing and improving wellbeing. They are all things that parents who have caring responsibilities for their children with additional needs or disabilities have limited time, yet an increased need for.
“It was great to take part in the JIGSAW Jaunt. It helped me to feel good about myself for getting out, exercising, talking to other parents and making a positive contribution by helping to raise money for JIGSAW. It feels good to give something back to a charity that has helped me and my family so much”.
Another walker and local supporter of JIGSAW said:
“It was a great way to spend the evening and such an easy way to do something positive in my community”.
If you would like to donate to the community’s efforts, there is still time, follow the link to https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/jigsaw-jaunt-2024 
If you are interested in fundraising for us please take a look at our Fundraise for Us page.
If you already have a good idea for JIGSAW’s next fundraising event, please contact Lisa at community@jigsawthornbury.org.uk
We will be kicking off our 2024 community fundraising with a Community Dog Show in Thornbury on Saturday 4th May, and look out for details of how to join our next team fundraising challenge, if you are brave enough to take on the Tough Mudder course on Saturday 10th August!