2016 is going to be a big year for AV^UK, and we’d love to have you there to share it with us. Below is a list of 16 things that can get you involved.

1.  Take part in LOUD Shirt Day

LOUD Shirt Day is our first ever big fundraising campaign, which will be taking place on the 17th June 2016. All you have to do is wear your brightest shirt, pay a couple of pounds, and encourage all your friends and family to do the same. Click here to complete the online registration form.

2. Take part in the ultimate physical test – run the London Marathon 2016!

Running 26.2 miles is not for the faint hearted. But it’s also an incredible experience that lasts with you forever. Think you’d be up for the challenge? Get in touch with the fundraising team.

As John, one of our runners from 2015, explained, “to anyone who may be thinking ‘There’s no way I could run another lap!’, the reality is ‘Of course you can!’,  and you couldn’t possibly do it for a more worthy cause.”

3. If the marathon is too far, how about a half?

We have spaces for the Adidas Silverstone Half Marathon on 13 March 2016. *Just* 13 miles.

4. If running is not for you (we don’t blame you!) help us cheer on our London Marathon runners from our offices in Bermondsey

The marathon runs right through Jamaica Road, and our doors will be welcome to anyone who wishes to come and support our runners. It’ll be a blast.

5. Follow us on social media, and encourage your friends to do the same

Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and subscribe to us on YouTube. Tell your friends to do the same by sharing/retweeting us. On facebook, you can even invite your friends to like us. Click on the three dots at the bottom of our cover photo on Facebook, and select ‘invite friends’. This will help raise awareness for AVT in the UK!

6. Come and volunteer with us

Whether ‘volunteer more’ is on your list of New Year resolutions, or whether you’ve been meaning do to it for years, volunteering is an excellent way to give back, without costing a penny. Whether you have a particular set of skills, or you’d just like to learn something new, we’re always looking for individuals to come and volunteer with us at either our London or Bicester centre. If you’re interested in donating your time, contact Rachel, our Operations Manager.

7. Recommend us as your Charity of the Year

Does your office or school have an elected Charity of the Year? How about nominating us to be the beneficiary? These initiatives can have a transformative effect on a charity like ours.

8. Give as you live

Do lots of shopping online? You can raise money for us, just by shopping online at retailers like Tesco, Amazon, John Lewis, Ebay, Asos and British Airways, to name a few. Sign up on Give As You Live and a percentage of every shop will go to us, without costing you an extra penny!

9. Become a parent ambassador

Have you and your family benefitted from our work at AV^UK? Become a parent ambassador to help other families who are going through similar experiences to you. Contact our Family Support Officer Beth to find out what’s involved.

10. Share your story by writing a blog post

In 2016 we’d like to make sure as many families of deaf children as possible have the option to access AVT. To be able to do this, we need to raise awareness. An important tool for this is online. If you have a story to tell about how deafness has affected you, share it with us.

11. Donate your creative skills

Whether you’re a designer, photographer, filmmaker or writer, your skills can help improve our communication and raise funds. Contact Becky, Communications Officer, with your ideas!

12. Give monthly

Consider donating the first hour of your salary every month to contribute to our bursary scheme. The first hour of every month will have a life-changing impact on a deaf child. Visit our donate page for more information.

13. Speak for us

Could you offer to give a short talk to your local Round Table or Rotary Club about your experiences with AV^UK? These local community groups frequently fundraise for charities that affect local individuals.

14. Share your ideas with us on how we can raise awareness of AVT

Your feedback is very important to us, to help us grow as a charity. Whether positive or not, all feedback is welcome.

15. Donate your old toys and technology

Do you have any toys that your child no longer plays with, or maybe you’ve just upgraded your computer, and are not sure what to do with the old one – donate it to us!

16. And finally.. to repeat in case number 1 was too long ago

Please sign up to take part in LOUD shirt day! We guarantee it’ll be a fun and rewarding day.

 

Contact Becky on the fundraising team with any questions or to sign yourself up! [email protected]