Maccabi GB

Community Dog Walk!

In 2001 Maccabi GB launched the Challenge programme. This programme is central to everything we do and believe in and ensures that we provide opportunities for young people with disabilities and special needs to be a part of the Maccabi GB family.

One of the highlights of the year is the Challenge Tour which offers the magic of Israel to young people with special needs. They learn about the history of Israel as well as the chance to challenge themselves daily whilst trekking in the desert, riding camels, abseiling or sleeping under the stars in Bedouin tents as well as learning about the nature and wild life of Israel. The tour is a unique opportunity for both participants and carers alike and is a life changing opportunity that many of these young people would never have experienced before.

Challenge has now been running for 7 years with each year becoming more successful than the previous and we have now taken over 100 people on this project. There is a limited employed resource working on this event as it is organized almost completely by lay leaders and volunteers, one member of staff provides administration support and attends the trip. On the last tour in March 2008, we had our largest group to date with 16 participants and 12 carers. Despite the fact that this is a worthwhile cause we struggle to raise funds for this trip on a yearly basis and ideally we would like to be able to underwrite all the participants. The cost is £2,500 per participant however we offer the trip at a very reduced rate of £500. In reality many of the participants find it hard to meet even this amount.

Plans for the next Challenge trip are already under way and the cost of this initiative is £50,000 per annum.

FUNDRAISING

You and your dog may walk as many circuits of the park as you wish (1 circuit = approx. half a mile).

Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times

To make fundraising easier you may set up your own sponsorship page with Justgiving.com. Click on http://www.justgiving.com/maccabigb/raisemoney and follow the instructions. This enables Maccabi GB to receive Gift Aid for all donations. Or use the Sponsorship Page below. Make extra copies if you need to.

Use Gift Aid to make your donation worth more to us, at no extra cost to you. For each £ you give us, we can claim another 28p from HM Customs and Revenue. Just put your sponsors first and last name and home address including full postcode, then tick ‘gift aid’. To qualify they must pay enough UK tax to cover the amount we reclaim. If your sponsors are not taxpayers, or if they are giving a charity cheque or business donation, do not tick the gift aid box.

GOOD LUCK AND ENJOY!

To register your dog or dogs to take part in this unique event, please download the registration form below and once you have filled it out please return it with payment to Community Dog Walk, Maccabi GB, Shield House, Harmony Way, Hendon, London NW4 2BZ