Fundraising with NCBI

NCBI ensures that people who are blind or vision impaired have the same opportunities, rights and choices as others to fully participate in society. Our mission is to enable people who are blind or vision impaired to overcome the barriers that impede their independence and participation in society.

To continue to provide the services that help us to carry out our mission, we need to raise funds from our many friends and fundraising volunteers.

Making a Donation

NCBI has an extensive range of fundraising activities that you can participate in. There are numerous ways of getting involved, from registering to take part in an NCBI run event, making a donation, or becoming a fundraising volunteer to organising your own fundraising event in your local community, school or club.

With Your Help

Whatever you decide, your support is very much appreciated and with your help we are able to continue to provide our services for people who are blind or vision impaired here in Ireland.

Some of the ways we fundraise include:

Events and Appeals
• Register for an NCBI event or appeal

• Sponsor a friend

• Take part in one of our fundraising activities

Sponsored Events

Throughout the year our fundraising team run numerous events and appeals such as golf competitions, parachute jumps, fun runs and marathons.

Challenges

Challenges are open to anyone who would like to raise money for NCBI. These challenges allow participants to pick from a wide range of activities to suit their abilities. Whether you would like to walk, climb or run there are plenty of options to choose from.

Challenge events are extremely rewarding and participants always get a great sense of the good work they are doing for NCBI. The challenge teams push themselves to complete the event whether it be mountain biking in Thailand, walking in Cape Town or running the mini marathon.

Of course, we are always looking for volunteers for our services, to assist the Fundraising Team and to take part in our events and appeals. Whatever time you can spare, we would love to hear from you. Your efforts truly can make a difference.

Details on any of these activities can be found on our website at
www.ncbi.ie. There you will find a fundraising pack which makes it easy for you to fundraise. It includes a wide list of fundraising ideas and valuable tips on how to organise your event. Whether you’re organising a car boot sale, a golf outing, running a marathon or fundraising in your community, we know you will find this pack useful.

If you are interested in getting involved with us in any way please contact the NCBI’s fundraising team on Lo-call: 1850 33 43 53
Email: fundraising@ncbi.ie.
Thank you for your help.

Antarctic Dream

In November 2008 more than 20 fundraisers took part in NCBI’s first ever trip to Antarctica to explore the uninhabited wilderness of the vast continent. The following is an extract from the journal of one of the voyagers, Oona Walls who sailed on the Antarctic Dream in November 2008.

The ice was here, the ice was there,
The ice was all around :
It cracked and growled, and roared and howled,
Like noises in a swound!

The lines from Coleridges ‘Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner’ kept going round in my head as we drifted in our zodiac through the icy water in Pleaneau Bay this afternoon. The ice was everywhere and I could hear the cracking, but instead of a growl it made a soft swishing sound as it crashed into the sea. All around me were beautiful majestic ice sculptures resting in waters of vivid blues, turquoise and aquarmarine. In the background was the unending dramatic white Antarctic Penninsula, which was tipping off the white ‘cotton wool’ clouds, making the iceberg graveyard appear like a floating paradise. It was magical and the memory of the sheer beauty will last with me forever. If only I could paint!

After taking photographs of a leopard seal and her cub we drifted again through the ice, keeping very quiet as we watched out for more wildlife.
The zodiac had to move away quickly as one of the icebergs repositioned itself causing a smaller one to sink, causing the water to swell… phew! Six ‘Dwarf’ Orcas suddenly appeared and began diving in and out of the water alongside us.

They seemed to enjoy playing and showing off in front of our cameras before they disappeared under the boat and left. I have never experienced excitement like it and felt I was part of a reality TV programme on the Discovery Channel.
Today was really cold, but snug in all my layers of thermals and having a whale of a time this afternoon, I never felt it!
Antarctica – Monday, November 24th, 2008.

Fundraising for NCBI Across the Globe

NCBI is delighted to announce an expanded range of treks and challenges in Ireland and around the world for 2009 which we hope you can partake in to fundraise for NCBI. With our partners Acara we have six exciting treks and cycles which you and your friends can choose from throughout 2009:

May 2009: Kaua’i Island Hawaii

Challenge Grade: Moderate
Challenge Type: Trek
Duration: 10 days
Journey : Long Haul

Discovered in 1778 by Captain James Cook, this sunny Hawaiian paradise is one of the most beautiful islands in the world. Kaua’i is celebrated for its breathless canyons and valleys, majestic mountain peaks and white sandy beaches. The challenge explores Kaua’i, venturing into its exposed North Shore, through canyons and deep into the green heart of this volcanic paradise.

July/August 2009: Into the West, Ireland

Challenge Grade: Moderate-Tough
Challenge Type: Trek
Duration: 4 Days
Journey: Home Based

The West of Ireland has everything to offer the outdoor enthusiast; great walks, superb mountains and unrivalled scenery. Its natural terrain and unspoilt environment offers you a wonderland of sights, experiences, adventure and activities.

August 2009: Iceland

Challenge Grade: Moderate
Challenge Type: Trek
Duration: 5 days
Journey: Short Haul

Where volcanoes rise above the clouds and the midnight sun shines on a mystical landscape Iceland is a must for all trekkers. The challenge takes us through this remarkable land of glaciers and geysers, sparkling rivers and cascading waterfalls. Camping out in the unspoilt wilderness and indulgent swims in hot springs, we enjoy the best of this geothermal wonderland.

September 2009: Mount Etna, Sicily

Challenge Grade: Moderate- Tough
Challenge Type: Trek
Duration: 7 days
Journey: Short Haul

Standing at almost 11,000 feet, Mount Etna dominates the Sicilian skyline. This is the most active volcano in the world. The Ancient Greeks believed it to be the home of Vulcan, the God of Fire. Our challenge takes us through some of the most beautiful forest tracks and valleys where there are superb contrasts between lava flows and pine forest. The climax of the challenge is the trek to the summit of Mt. Etna, Europe’s highest volcano.

September 2009: Borneo

Challenge Grade: Tough
Challenge Type: Cycle and Trek
Duration: 10 Days
Journey: Long Haul
Borneo has it all – dense tropical rain forests, misty blue mountains, exotic flowers and fascinating wildlife. The challenge takes you from the capital Kota Kinabalu south along the South China Seas, across the Crocker Mountain Range and through tropical rain forests. There will be both cycling and trekking involved.
 

November 2009: Everest Base Camp, Nepal

Challenge Grade: Very Tough
Challenge Type: Trek
Duration: 18 Days
Journey: Long Haul

Everest Base Camp is the ultimate challenge for trekkers wanting to push themselves to the limit. Throughout our journey we gain an insight into the lives and culture of the Sherpa people and enjoy spectacular Himalayan landscapes. Reaching the summit of Kala Pattar at sunrise, above the snowcapped Khumbu glacier is an unforgettable experience and a fantastic achievement.

For further information and registration on these exciting treks please call Helen O’Malley or Colette O’Sullivan Tel: 01 4784505.

Join NCBI’s Cape Town Challenge in 2009!

Experience the amazing beauty of South Africa by taking part in the Cape Town Walk for NCBI (National Council for the Blind of Ireland).

NCBI’s 2009 walking challenge will take place in the beautiful city of Cape Town from October 31st to November 11th.

Presided over by Table Mountain and skirted by the Atlantic Ocean, the city has many beautiful areas to hike and walk in. Our walking challenges take place over five days and vary between 8 and 12 miles. Three of the walks start from our hotel, the President Hotel, which is located off Sea Road, Sea Point. For the other two walks we travel by bus to Fishhuek and Cape Point, no more than 45 minutes from our hotel.

Blessed with blue skies, balmy climate and a magnificent backdrop of ocean and mountain, Cape Town is a beautiful city to visit.

Highlights of the trip include Table Mountain, Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, Hermanus Bay, in addition to Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope.

Savour experiences so unique they’ll remain with you for a lifetime.

To find out more about taking part in this very worthwhile challenge please contact John Fitzpatrick of NCBI on 1850 33 43 53 or
email: john.fitzpatrick@ncbi.ie.