Volunteer Coordinator Rosie Bartlett is undertaking 150 days of movement to raise money for Catching Lives. She started in September and has so far completed runs, swims and bike rides. The fundraiser will culminate with the Barcelona Half Marathon on Day 150 in February 2025. You can sponsor Rosie via JustGiving and follow her daily progress via her Instagram. Here’s what she said about her challenge.
What inspired you to take on this fundraiser?
I've been thinking about how I can raise money for Catching Lives ever since I joined in April. I'd already signed up to the Barcelona Half Marathon in February 2025 with my run club but, after a string of injuries and being stuck in a rut with exercise and my health, I knew I needed to do something big to get fit again. I thought a fitness challenge to raise money was the perfect way. There's nothing like a bit of public accountability to get you going!
How are you feeling about doing a challenge for 150 days?
To be honest, I liked the roundness of the number 150. I don't think I fully computed that it was five months of working out every day until I started and my friends questioned my sanity. But I'm looking forward to having a positive focus in my life every day after being in a funk for a while and I'm excited about finding fun ways to include my friends and family in the challenge too. I'm a little nervous about navigating the winter months. I know I'll find it hard to get out for runs, walks and cycles when the weather is terrible, but knowing why and who I am doing it for will hopefully be the push I need to persevere.
How is the challenge going?
It's going great so far. I've got an incredible group of friends who have been very supportive in both sponsoring me and exercising with me. There's been sea swimming, gym workouts, countryside runs and coastal bike rides spent with friends, old and new, which makes it feel a lot less daunting. It's also felt really great getting back into moving and exercising in joyful ways, especially knowing I'm doing it to raise money for Catching Lives. I've also enjoyed sharing the work that Catching Lives does within my personal circle. I'm hoping the charity's name and work will reach a wider group of people as the days go on, bringing in new supporters and maybe even some new volunteers.
What would you say to anyone thinking of sponsoring you?
I need the validation to keep me going. Haha... But in all seriousness, it would mean a lot to know there are silent supporters out there both for this fitness challenge and for Catching Lives itself. It will definitely help me to keep going in the colder, darker months. I would also say, if you're not in the position to sponsor me, maybe someone in your network is so I would encourage you to share this fundraiser on your socials and in your networks to spread the word.
Anything else?
You can follow my journey on Instagram @rosebartlett_. I post on my stories everyday and will be doing monthly recaps or through my Strava; Rosie Bartlett, where I am posting every day. It's also all linked and automatically uploaded to my JustGiving page so people can see I really am working out everyday.
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