Episode 5 - Matt Huntington, the Flying Anchors and World Record Challenges

Mike interviews Matt Huntington about his fundraising endeavours, recalls the efforts of the Flying Anchors and suggests some World Record options for anyone up for a challenge!

The following points are among those covered in this episode:

• Erica Banks, Communications Lead for Friends of ANCHOR, talks about a number of Christmas-related initiatives, including a new option to provide a supportive gift for someone undergoing treatment at this time. A great selection of Christmas gifts (including Christmas Eve box fillers containing reindeer food and a magic Santa key!) is available for purchase from the online Friends of ANCHOR Christmas Shop. Erica concludes by talking about a statistical analysis of all of the charity’s expenditure since it began 25 years ago that is currently being put together to highlight everything that has been achieved through the generosity and efforts of its supporters. [00:49]
• Mike interviews Matt Huntington who raised over £34,000 for Friends of ANCHOR by running at least 10K every day of 2021 in memory of his sister Kathy, who sadly died of triple negative breast cancer in 2018. As well as recalling special events - including running his first marathon with his daughter, Amy - Matt talks about the amazing support that he received and provides some thoughts on what can make a fundraising initiative really take off. [04:00]
• This month’s ‘From the Archives’ segment again features a 1999 news article, this time describing how the Flying Anchors, a group of four nurses and a friend, decided to leap into the unknown by taking on a parachute jump with the aim of raising £7,000 for a special bed designed for cancer care. [18:45]
• In the ‘Finding the Words’ section of this episode, Mike and Alison reflect on telling friends and colleagues about Mike’s cancer diagnosis, describing the range of different responses that Alison received when sharing that news. [20:16]
• Inspired by Matt Huntington’s running exploits and the Guinness World Records website, Mike uses the ‘And Finally’ slot to provide some suggestions for any listeners who have been prompted by Matt’s remarks to consider taking on an unusual and demanding fundraising challenge! [26:43]
• Suggestions or feedback about the podcast can be sent to foapodcast@freerangepodcasting.co.uk, and you can sign up to receive news and updates using the link below. In next month’s episode, we will hear more from John Greensmyth, our guest in Episode 3, this time including his reflections on taking part in Brave, the very special fashion show that Friends of ANCHOR puts on annually. [30:08]

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