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Unique Opportunity to camp for free at Ickworth House

jamesC

jamesC

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Hi

My name is James Cutler and I consider myself to be an active member of this incredibly useful forum, I own a California Beach purchased in March and rarely go a week without spending at least one night camping in her!!... if you went to COTF you might remember me as the guy with the massive inflatable drive-away awning next to the two yellow Beach's.

I am also a volunteer for Cancer Research UK, and for the last 5 years have been the Logistics Chair for an event called Relay For Life held annually near my home town of Bury St Edmunds. NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE OTHER WELL KNOWN CANCER RESEARCH UK EVENT KNOWN AS RACE FOR LIFE.

What is Relay For Life - It's very difficult to describe, visiting a Relay is the only way to actually get it, but here goes....The event itself is rather unique, in that instead of a sponsored or fundraising event in it's own right, it is more a celebration of what our teams (Work Colleagues/Families/Sports Groups/Social Groups normally between 8 and 15 members strong) have raised during a whole year of fundraising, and as such is much less about shaking a collecting goblet and much more about bringing our Teams, Cancer Survivors and Carers together for a fete/festival style family fun weekend.

To give the teams a purpose we ask each group to "Relay", this means that one member from each team walks/runs/skips/whatever our track for the duration of the event which is 21 hours long and goes through the night.

We also invite members of the public in to the free event, and off course our fundraise crazy teams are not slow to organise all sorts of games and stalls to raise a few extra quid for their annual total.

To keep everybody entertained we have a stage with local and national acts from midday to midnight, and then to help keep the walkers motivated through the night we have a near silent disco until 7am and then ramp the volume right up to the end of the event at 9am Sunday morning, we also have festival style food vendors, a bar and even a special Pimms bar on the lawn in front of the house in the centre of our Relay.

Relay for Life is more an experience than an event, and there are around 40 held annually all over the UK, from Peterhead in Scotland to Liskeard in Cornwall raising vital funds to help beat cancer!

Every Relay is different, but our event is held within the stunning National Trust grounds of Ickworth House on the outskirts of Bury St Edmunds. Actually we Relay immediately in front of the house with the incredible and unique Rotunda as our backdrop.

Why am I writing all this on a forum about California's?? - I need a handful of marshals for "on the day" activities, these would include things like directing teams when they arrive, escorting our VIP's and Acts to the stage, manning our info. point, and generally assisting with the smooth running of the event.

I have a small team of 15 volunteers currently, but would ideally prefer another 6 adults to help. We have the local ATC organising our carpark, and also have a voluntary group called RAYNET who provide communications for the event.

In return for a few hours chilled out work you would get to park up and camp within the stunning grounds of Ickworth House for Free from Friday 26th July to Sunday 28th July and enjoy the free event from the inside!!

If you are interested, and can get to Bury St Edmunds that weekend, please let me know below, if you have any questions or experiences of other Relay For Life events, then also feel free to add comments below.

Thanks


James
 
Hi James I used to live in thurston and have visited ickworth house many times
Truly a stunning place. I would have loved to of volunteered to help but I will be in France that weekend. It truly is a worthy cause and I wish you well. Put me down for next year
Enjoy your weekend :thumb
 
Hi James

This sounds very interesting, always up for a bit of volunteering for a good cause...

Need to a) check my diary (she's out at the moment, ho ho) and b) check whether dogs are allowed?

So, if we're around, and dogs are allowed, then you may have an adult or 2 to add to the list, can confirm soon

Cheers
Ian
 
Hi Ian,

It would be great to have you and I know that you wouldn't be disappointed by the event or your contribution!!

Dogs are fine, the only rules are those set out by The National Trust which are that dogs are under control.

Let me know if it fits in your diary!!

Thanks

James
 
Calikev said:
Hi James I used to live in thurston and have visited ickworth house many times
Truly a stunning place. I would have loved to of volunteered to help but I will be in France that weekend. It truly is a worthy cause and I wish you well. Put me down for next year
Enjoy your weekend :thumb

Hi Kev, How amazing that we were once nearly neighbours!! As you know Ickworth is a beautiful place and we actually camp around 100 feet from the house, so it really is quite special!!... Perhaps I'll start a 2014 thread soon when we confirm next years dates!!
 
Hi James

I'm glad to say we're free and would love to attend and help out.

Please just let us know any further details

Many thanks, looking forward to it already!

Ian & Helen
 
Thanks Ian & Helen!!... I hope we might get another Cali volunteer or two!!
 
Hi James, two more Cali volunteers available for Ickworth if you still require help. Please let us know.
Graham & Alison.
 
Hi Guys... This is superb, and much appreciated!!

If you could PM me your contact details, address, mobile number this would be great.

You are welcome to arrive from Friday Morning onwards... will you be coming far??

Thanks


James
 
Thanks to Ian & Helen, and Graham & Alison... I know you'll have best time at Relay in Bury St Edmunds this weekend!!

ImageUploadedByTapatalk HD1374876933.061983.jpg ImageUploadedByTapatalk HD1374876945.830210.jpg
 
Amazing weekend!!... Thanks again guys... You helped raise over £45,000 for Cancer Research UK!!!

ImageUploadedByTapatalk HD1375030053.078319.jpg ImageUploadedByTapatalk HD1375030073.838170.jpg ImageUploadedByTapatalk HD1375030097.044307.jpg
 
Thanks James (& Amanda)

We had a great time, and it was good to meet you and Graham & Alison too!

Ian & Helen
 
Hi James & Mandy (and Ian, Helen & the girls...),
Thanks for giving us the opportunity to be part of an amazing weekend - fabulous setting, great food and really wonderful people... put us on the waiting list for next year!
Graham & Alison

Sent from my left handed typist...
 
Great work guys glad you enjoyed it great photos
 
Hi All,

Once again I am looking for some friendly Cali owners to come and help out as event marshals at a Cancer Research UK event I am involved in called Relay for Life (not to be confused with Race for Life) at Ickworth House in Suffolk on the weekend of the 11th/12th July 2015

Unfortunately I know this clashes with COTF, however, the payback for missing the annual forum event is an unbelievable opportunity to camp within the National Trust grounds on the outskirts of Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk for free.

Please see the photo's from the event above.

The family event runs annually and in the 7 years since we started it has raised over £250,000 to help beat cancer sooner!

As stated before, and I'm sure Ian, Helen, Graham and Alison from the Forum who volunteered last time will confirm, this is a seriously laid back and yet rewarding experience not to be missed if you are able to come and help.

If you would like to come along, please leave a message below, and I will be happy to call or email you with further details!!

For further information about the event itself, please see details here,

www.ourrelay.co.uk

or maybe just chuck a few quid this way here...

http://relay.cancerresearchuk.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/General?px=1003045&pg=personal&fr_id=1506

Thanks again!!


James
 
Final call for anybody who might be willing to come and help at this event.

If you are able to make it to Suffolk in July you will be handsomely rewarded with a truly unique opportunity to camp for free in the gardens of Ickworth House.

Marshalling at the event itself is definitely low stress, so please come and help if you can.

Thanks

James
 

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