Fundraiser Profile

Name: Justin Sharples
Occupation: Stockbroker
Age: 34
Number of Gong Rides? 4
Status: Individual Fundraiser
Individual total: $4704

How did you go about raising money to reach your personal target?

I simply sent an e-mail to colleagues and clients asking for donations and support. The 'kicker' was that if I did not finish the ride in under 3 hours I had to match all of their donations; seemed a great idea at the time & I thought I would target $2000.00. But because I put my money on the line I think people where more willing to support a great cause; got them more involved and I raised a more than 2 times my original target! It could have been a very expensive day!!

How easy and rewarding did you find making the effort to fund-raiser?

It was all very easy to be honest as all I did was send out an e-mail. The online fundraising system MS uses to log donations is really great and means people can simply make a donation by clicking on a personalised link I sent them. Plus it is interactive in that they can actually see that there donations is adding to the total and helping me reach a personal goal.

Why do you support people with MS - do you know much about it?

I know a number of people my age who have MS and I think it is a really great cause.

How did you enjoy the Gong Ride?

The Gong Ride always a great event. Great to be going back to the 'gong, but I was told not to mention the headwinds...

Coming back in 2007?

Absolutely! The people who donated to me in 2006 will no doubt want me to lower my target time below 3 hours so I will wear some more financial (as well as physical) pain this year!!