Mark Pollock Cycle - 100/160km charity cycle in September

Markham

Anyone else doing this? Signed up a while back.
Mark's a mate - I should disclose that - but looks like it will be a decent event if we can get the numbers up.

I know the guys behind the Trust would appreciate any support.

Mark Pollock Cycle

LeftBlank

The amount of sponsorship being requested is way too much for a cycle like this. Yes the hotel stay is nice but it's completely unnecessary for this cycle. In fact, adding in the hotel is possibly detrimental because it looks to potential sponsors that you are actually sponsoring someone's weekend away.

There is huge competition in the charity sportive area at the moment. Most only charge a moderate entry fee and look for no sponsorship.

Iwernia

I though it was a joke, do they not realize the choice of events that are on every weekend for €15ish

C3PO

So just don't do it!

Cabaal

C3PO wrote: »

So just don't do it!

I'd have to agree that if people think its too expensive then they shouldn't do it,

However, at the same time people are entitled to give feedback about an event which the organizers could then use in the future.

For example, if the hotel stay was taken out of it this would reduce the cost and as such reduce the entry fee which would encourage more people to enter which could result in more money coming in.

Other stuff such as 30e fee which includes bike return to Dublin may not be needed for people (not everyone wants to stay in a hotel or plans to return or lives in Dublin)

I have an awful lot of respect for Mark but it seems that in this instance some blanket unneeded costs are being applied to all people that enter and many just won't need them, this will no doubt affect the amount of people taking part.

Iwernia

C3PO wrote: »

So just don't do it!

I wont, Thanks.

Jawgap

If there was a 'day ticket' option for this, say 50 Euro for the ride and a bit of a post-event bbq, I'd probably do it given the individual involved.

It deserves not only to be a decent fund raiser, but also to have a big crowd on it.

C3PO

Cabaal wrote: »

However, at the same time people are entitled to give feedback about an event which the organizers could then use in the future.

I would agree and an email to the organisers expressing that feedback would be a reasonable thing to do.
However, given that this event is to raise money for what I understand to be a very good cause I would consider comments like the one below to be a bit "mean spirited" on a public forum. It could only have the effect of dissuading people from entering!

Iwernia wrote: »

I though it was a joke, do they not realize the choice of events that are on every weekend for €15ish

ratracer

Jawgap wrote: »

If there was a 'day ticket' option for this, say 50 Euro for the ride and a bit of a post-event bbq, I'd probably do it given the individual involved.

It deserves not only to be a decent fund raiser, but also to have a big crowd on it.

+1

I fully agree with this point. I can't be doing with big fundraising efforts, but would pay up to €50 to turn up on the day and cycle, get a bit of grub afterwards, then drive home again.

Jawgap

C3PO wrote: »

I would agree and an email to the organisers expressing that feedback would be a reasonable thing to do.
However, given that this event is to raise money for what I understand to be a very good cause I would consider comments like the one below to be a bit "mean spirited" on a public forum. It could only have the effect of dissuading people from entering!

@Iwernia can stick up for himself / herself, but I think the point being made is valid, even if I wouldn't agree with how it's expressed.

A lot of charities, clubs and good causes are in 'competition' for funding and contributions from people with generally less disposable income than before.

Maybe they need to have something akin to 'gold,' 'silver' and 'bronze' packages for the event - gold being what's on the site now. Silver would be day entry to the long event and bronze day entry to the short route.

LeftBlank

C3PO wrote: »

I would agree and an email to the organisers expressing that feedback would be a reasonable thing to do.
However, given that this event is to raise money for what I understand to be a very good cause I would consider comments like the one below to be a bit "mean spirited" on a public forum. It could only have the effect of dissuading people from entering!

When a person associated with the event comes on the forum and says something about getting the numbers up, I don't think it's unfair to give reasons why the numbers might not be all that great.

C3PO

LeftBlank wrote: »

When a person associated with the event comes on the forum and says something about getting the numbers up, I don't think it's unfair to give reasons why the numbers might not be all that great.

Fair enough but there are ways of saying things and ways of saying things!

GKiraly

While this is for a great cause and looks like a good spin Im opting not to take part due to the package.

Raise €375 + €100 registration + stay overnight, and the alternative option? Dont take part. Maybe some of us dont want to stay overnight. Alot of people, myself included, love taking part in sportives, and a cause such as this can only enhance further encouragement. If the organisers charged less and just gave everyone the option of raising funds, or how about €50 registration plus x amount min sponsorship, im sure that would appeal a bit better.

Its a good cause for a remarkable guy, and while I wish all involved the best for this, in my own opinion I somehow cant help but wonder about the organisers research on other successful sportives....

Markham

LeftBlank wrote: »

When a person associated with the event comes on the forum and says something about getting the numbers up, I don't think it's unfair to give reasons why the numbers might not be all that great.

Some of the feedback here will be useful for the guys behind the event. The tone of some of the comments is, well, a bit irritable, but that's understandable.

As for myself, I'm only associated with the event in that I'm planning on taking part, as a friend of Mark's. I've worked with him in the past but am not involved in the organisation of this in any way.

As I understand it, to correct a post above, if you raise the €375 that includes the €100 registration fee - i.e. €275 more to raise.

walshelena

Has anyone seen this? Mark Pollock is giving a lecture in Trinity on 25 July 2012 at 7. Funds in aid of Mark Pollock Trust and Special Olympics Ireland -www.acornireland.ie

It will be interesting to hear Mark talk about his response to the challenges, change and uncertainty that he has faced.

Tickets are €20 and are available from http://fundraising.specialolympics.ie/fundraisingpage.aspx?uid=601&eid=587
Anyone going?