Posts Tagged :

fundraiser

ompass Carter Osborne TB100

The Compass Carter Osborne TB100

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Last week, saw over 60 cyclists take on the Compass Carter Osborne Big 100 Cycle 2025 – an incredible event which brings together teams of riders from different organisations to raise money for charity.

For the third year running, Spread a Smile was delighted to be chosen by Compass Carter Osborne as their official charity partner for the event which saw an incredible group of people taking on the 100km and 100-mile routes through the scenic Kent countryside.

Spread a Smile’s Chief Executive, Lucy Jackson said, “The Compass Carter Osborne Big 100 Cycle is a brilliant example of how companies can achieve their CSR objectives whilst bringing together partners and clients for a very special, fun and challenging day out. The event is a highlight in our calendar and Spread a Smile is extremely proud and grateful to have been chosen as charity partner for the last three years.”

With the incredible dedication of Compass Carter Osborne, their sponsors, and participants since the event began, we’d like to say a big thank you to everyone involved for their hard work, helping us to spread many more smiles to seriously ill children and young people.

If you are interested in exploring ways your company can support our vital work, please reach out to Lucy Chesney, our Head of Partnerships, at lucychesney@spreadasmile.org.

 

Brent Dyer Cycling fundraiser

Brent Dyer’s cycling challenge fundraiser

 780 400 Gabrielle Devine
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Inspired by his daughter Aimee, who works as an entertainer for Spread a Smile, Brent Dyer has completed an incredible cycling journey from Land’s End to John O’Groats, raising over £1,000 to support our work.

Over a period of just over three weeks, Brent battled a series of obstacles during the 1,000 mile journey. He had to contend with the remnants of Storm Floris in the Scottish Highlands and endured countless punctures along the way. Despite these setbacks, the kindness of strangers who donated on the spot and the positive messages he received kept him motivated. Here’s what Brent has to say:

“It was a pleasure and an honour to raise money for such a wonderful charity as Spread a Smile, and I really appreciated all the encouragement and positive messages I got from the Spread a Smile team, which really picked me up on days when I didn’t feel I wanted to continue with the ride.

“I would encourage anyone to do a challenge like the LEJOG 1000 for such a worthwhile charity because no matter how tough the challenge may be at times, it is more than compensated for by the enjoyment you get at the end when you find out how much money you have raised that you know will go towards putting smiles on children’s faces who are going through such heartbreakingly difficult times.”

His determination has paid off, and we can’t wait to see what he achieves next. The vital funds raised will support our work spreading smiles to seriously ill children and their families.

Inspired to take on your own fundraising challenge? Take a look at our upcoming challenge events here.

Spread a Smile Padel Tournament

Padel Tournament 2025 – a smash hit!

 740 400 Gabrielle Devine
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Last week, we were delighted to host our third Padel tournament at Stratford Padel Club. Generously sponsored by Enra, our tournament welcomed 16 teams for a day of fierce competition, with players from Enra, Texel, HCFX, HILCO Capital, and Peel Hunt.

Each team brought their finest skills and competitive spirit to the court, and after a series of suspense-filled matches, Team Peel Hunt took home the trophy.

Alongside the competition, our Spread a Smile entertainer was on hand to bring even more fun to the day with his incredible magic and card tricks. It was a wonderful opportunity for our guests to see the magic our entertainers bring to seriously ill children and their families.

We finished the day with a raffle, with the chance to win a signed cricket bat donated by the ECB, a pair of tickets to the Spread a Smile comedy night on 17 November, and two rackets donated by Stratford Padel Club. It was great to see so many people win fantastic prizes!

A huge thank you to our sponsor Enra, all teams who took part and to Stratford Padel Club. Thanks to your incredible support, we raised vital funds that will help us spread even more smiles to seriously ill children and their families.

Feeling inspired?

Snap up one of our places for the Vitality 10k on 28 September, or sign up to our e-newsletter here to stay up to date with our upcoming events.

 

The National Three Peaks Challenge

 1024 768 Gabrielle Devine
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We’re delighted that Team Smile has successfully completed the National Three Peaks Challenge, climbing Britain’s three highest peaks – Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon – in 24 hours and raising thousands of pounds to help spread smiles to seriously ill children and young people.

Spread a smile challenge group Three peaks

The adventure kicked off on a Friday morning with a long drive from Chester to the Scottish Highlands, arriving at the foot of Ben Nevis in time to begin the first ascent at 5am. The weather was unfortunately not on our side, with heavy rain making the terrain even more challenging and our guide reporting it to be the worst conditions he’d seen all year.

Following a safe descent, the team hopped back on the bus for Scafell Pike in the Lake District, climbing England’s highest Peak in the evening and finally making it back down after midnight. It was then straight back on the road, driving through the night to Wales and arriving to start the final climb to summit of Snowdon at 5am.

Considering the weather conditions, lack of sleep and demanding nature of the challenge, the team were tested both physically and mentally, covering 3,400 meters of altitude and showing huge strength and commitment to the challenge and Spread a Smile.

We are so proud of them all for joining us for this incredible fundraiser which saw, members of the Spread a Smile team, join together with some of our corporate partners, supporters and family recipients come together for an experience they will never forget.

Three Peaks hiking challenge charity fundraiser“I will remember this weekend for a long time to come. Walking alongside a brilliant group of people, all pushing themselves physically to keep taking the next step, even in the driving rain and dark, was truly inspiring. Knowing the difference our effort will make to families supported by Spread a Smile made it 100% worthwhile.”  Laura Walter, Spread a Smile Director of Services

Thank you to Abbey, Amy, Becca, Chloe, Dave, Fiona, Graham, Jo, Kirsteen, Laura, Priya, Alice & Freddie. Also to Charity Challenge for expertly guiding us in the lead up and during the challenge. We really appreciate all of your efforts and for going the extra mile to raise vital funds to spread smiles to seriously ill children, young people and their families.

Feeling inspired? Take a look at our fundraising challenges to find an event to suit you, be it a Tough Mudder, Inflatable Obstacle Course or the Vitality 10k Run.