Looking ahead to the Unicef Clipper Race Fundraising Week (24 - 30 July 2017)

With a fantastic £60,000 already raised by our international crew for race charity Unicef as they prepare to race across the world’s oceans, the fundraising race to reach the £400,000 target is definitely on.

Next week, from 24 - 30 July, the Clipper Race will hold its first fundraising week, to celebrate all of our crew members fantastic fundraising achievements so far, whilst raising awareness of Unicef’s crucial work to help raise further donations.

From bake offs to bingo nights, we are encouraging crew, supporters and race staff to get involved and plan and organise an activity to fundraise for Unicef. By posting it all on social media, tagging @ClipperRace and @UNICEF_uk, we’ll then share these fundraising efforts on the race website and social media across the week.

Mike Penrose, Unicef UK’s Executive Director, is fully behind the fundraising efforts and said: “Unicef UK is very proud to be associated with Clipper Race and the wonderful team taking on this enormous physical challenge. The fundraising efforts of the incredible crew members taking part will go a long way in highlighting and helping to resolve the many dangerous challenges lots of children around the world face very day; violence, disease, hunger and the consequences of war and disaster.”

The Clipper Race Office will be getting behind the cause, getting on an exercise bike to collectively cover the 250 miles that make up the distance from Gosport to Liverpool as we countdown to the Race Start there on 20 August.

Also sporting Lycra for a great cause is Clipper Race Chief Executive, William Ward, who will be joined by Clipper Race staff and alumni spanning four race editions to take part in the Ride London 100 mile ride, which will complete the fundraising week of events on Sunday 30 July.

William said: “Our Clipper Race crew are taking on a huge challenge. During the 2015-16 race we raised over £320,000 for Unicef and we're now hoping to raise £400,000 in our upcoming edition so I am proud to be joining the cause through my own personal fundraising.

“I wanted to partner with Unicef, because it works all around the world to promote child rights and wellbeing, and does crucial work to save and transform the lives of the most vulnerable children. As a father and grandfather, I do feel a personal responsibility to help protect those unable to help themselves and I know many of the Clipper Race crew have similar feelings. If the past race is anything to go by, I expect that crew members will be very inventive with their fundraising!”

To get started, here’s a few fundraising ideas:

To make a donation and help reach the fundraising target of £400,000, click here.

If you are a crew member interested in fundraising during your Clipper Race then please contact Unicef at [email protected] to start receiving support and ideas.

Inspired to take on the Clipper Race challenge for yourself? There is still time to join Legs 5 and 6 of the 2017-18 race, with training courses taking place this autumn. Click here for more information on how to join the Race of Your Life.