Trustees Week - Lynne McNicoll
As we come to the end of Trustees Week, this trustee needs no introduction. Lynne McNicoll has been Chair of It’s good 2 give since its inception in 2010.
She has seen many changes and faced many challenges over the years, and always has young cancer patients and their families at the very heart of all decisions she and our board of trustees make.
From fundraising to building the Ripple Retreat, providing services to hospitals across Scotland, and funding psychologist posts in Edinburgh and Glasgow, Lynne has been at the helm from day one. Have a read of what Lynne has to say this Trustees week, which includes requests for your support (once a fundraiser, always a fundraiser!)
“Hello, I’m Lynne McNicoll. Ian and I set up It’s good 2 give nearly 13 years ago and that was after me volunteering and fundraising for another charity for four years prior to that time.
I have recently been looking through old photos to sort them into an album and it has been a happy, if time consuming, past-time! It’s been a timely reminder of just how many events I have organised for It’s good 2 give, from events at our home, car boot sales, quiz nights, fashion shows, afternoon teas to Blingo events and The Balls – there have been so many successful fundraising and fun events!
But it is nearing time for me to hang up my Event Organiser hat. Guests arrive and see a seamlessly run event and that is how it should be, but behind the scenes there are many months of work for me, from selling tables, sourcing prizes, finding venues, and much much more! That’s many hours and many months for each event to be a success for me and for many volunteers.
It’s now time for me to rearrange my work/life balance so 2023 will be the last year I’ll be organising and leading on events. From 2024 I’ll be concentrating my time on managing the Ripple Retreat and building on our relationships with Charity Partners. I’m also planning to have more free time to spend with Ian and my extended family. With a great team behind me, a strong and proactive board of trustees, and a wealth of experience through our volunteers, I am confident I can do that.
Having said that - my plans for 2023 are BIG! The current energy price rises affect the Ripple Retreat too and it has taken our running costs of the Retreat to £120,000 a year. So, my target is to raise that amount through the Kiltwalks, and I need your help! I want to recruit as many walkers as possible in one or more of the walks – Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee, and Edinburgh. Families, friends, companies, individuals – come and join our It’s good 2 give team and be part of this incredible challenge!
In my first year of fundraising 2005-2006, prior to me setting up It’s good 2 give, I pledged to raise £50,000 (and I did!) so I would like to raise that again at Lynne’s Last Blingo (or as the team affectionately call it #LLB) in May 2023– on that one day alone.
I’m asking our Charity Partners to help me to raise £50,000. We’ve already sold out! We have 360 fantastic female guests eager to attend. Can your business help see me go out in style?
Donate 36 items: One for each table, to give away as prizes. We will recognise your efforts on social media, during the event, and give you a full-page advert in our programme.
Donate 10 items: Sponsor 10 items for a single table of goody-bag items. We will provide your business details on our big screens in the room and on each table, give you a mention on social media, and include you in our programme.
Blingo has been a wonderful experience, and an important source of funding for our charity. As my last Blingo approaches, I want to thank you all for your support so far, and once again ask you to make this final event one to remember.
2023 is going to be a huge challenge for us and I’d love you to be part of that challenge with us. Please consider raising funds for It’s Good 2 Give when you’re signing up to take part in a run, cycle, or trek. You can organise your own fundraiser, or take part in one or more of the Kiltwalks. We can offer discounted registration fees for the Kiltwalk. All we ask is that you raise a minimum of £150. You can sign up to walk from 5 miles to 26 miles so there is something for everyone. Children and dogs are welcome to take part in the Kiltwalk too! We also have free spaces for the Callander 10k and Run the Blades if you commit to raise a minimum of £100.
I’d love to hear from you if you’d like It’s good 2 give to be your Charity Partner in 2023.
Let’s raise £170,000 together for young cancer patients and their families in Scotland in 2023 – together we can do it! “
Thanks Lynne
