Thru Hike Fundraiser

[CharlieMike]

Hi all! I'm a combat veteran looking for someone willing to go north as I head south starting July 1st, 2014. WHY? Good question... I'm raising awareness and money for Wounded Warriors Program for our troops and Ovarian Cancer Research in memory of my Mom. This will be a unique event. HOW? I will have a tracker on me that will keep people posted online on exactly how far I go daily. People can simply donate on the website or challenge me. If I hit the amount of miles they request, then they donate. To make it more fun I was hoping to compete against someone going in the opposite direction so people can track that as well.

Can anyone help out? Thanks for your time!
CharlieMike

[yellowsirocco]

Thru hiking is hard enough as it is without the added pressure of raising money. I'm guessing this is going to be your first time attempting a thru hike. If it is your first time then worry about just finishing as the odds are stacked against you.

[Rocket Jones]

Great causes. I would suggest that your website contain links to the charity donation pages and you accept no money at all. Every year sees several "fundraising" hikes, and unfortunately more than a few turn out to be self-promoting hikers looking for others to pay for their vacation on the trail.

[imscotty]

CharlieMike,

I suggest that you read the book "A Walk for Sunshine" for advice on how to effectively do a charity hike on the AT.

http://www.amazon.com/Walk-Sunshine-Expedition-Charity-Appalachian/dp/0967948231

[Tri-Pod Bob]

Welcome to WB! +1 on all of these responses & THANK YOU for your service!! Good luck on all fronts.

[HikerMom58]

Welcome to WB! +1 on all of these responses & THANK YOU for your service!! Good luck on all fronts.

Yes... THANK YOU!!

[max patch]

Hi all! I'm a combat veteran looking for someone willing to go north as I head south starting July 1st, 2014.

Its not impossible, but "most" people won't be able to finish a NOBO thru with a start date of 7/1. Need to figure out how you are going to handle that.

[CharlieMike]

Indeed it is my first attempt... as for the stress of fundraising, I don't care if I'm the only one that donates or millions of people chip in. Its something I wanted to do to give back to people that gave me so much and I thought this would be the most creative and incredibly challenging way to do so. Thanks for the advice and the challenge is always on my mind as I prepare.

[CharlieMike]

I won't be collecting a penny from this and I will have a website that goes public in January that will contain the necessary links so people can donate to the particular charities. Each charity has approved the fundraiser and provided 'easy to use' websites for me. As for finding a NOBO, I know its a long shot, but I wanted to at least try to make this more entertaining for everyone. I'm fine with people just tracking my SOBO attempt... "imscotty" ~ thanks so much for the book link. I'll definitely be looking at it when I get back to the states. Serving was entirely my pleasure, thanks so much for your support and advice all. I'll keep posting threads as this becomes more organized. Until then, time to train! CharlieMike