Sixmas: why we need your help

The Covid-19 pandemic has made 2020 an unprecedented year for charities. Coronavirus has seen The Brain Charity forced to cancel multiple flagship fundraising events, including our annual Snow Ball. But over the same period, we have seen a 70% surge in referrals - due to a combination of the neurological complications of Covid-19, increased mental health issues and isolation caused by social distancing and shielding and a bleak unemployment landscape due to the recession.

More people with neurological conditions need our help than ever before, so this December The Brain Charity needs your support. We're calling on you to support our first ever Christmas appeal by participating in our Sixmas fundraising campaign. To mark the fact one in six people have a neurological condition, this December we're asking people from all over the UK to organise and participate in a sponsored virtual or covid-safe activity event themed around the number six and suited to their own abilities.

Whether you're an adrenaline junkie, exercise fiend or prefer something a little more sedate from the comfort of your own home, all fundraisers big and small will be supported on their journeys to raise vital cash for The Brain Charity. All we ask is that you pledge to raise at least £60 to help us achieve our target of raising at least £6,000 by December 31.

Here are some virtual and socially distanced, covid-safe six-themed fundraising ideas to get you started:

Distances of six:

Walk, run, roll, cycle or travel 600m, 6km, six miles, 16km, 60 miles, or even 600km! All levels of fitness are welcome - you choose your own six-themed challenge and whether your event is one-off or carried out multiple times within the month to reach the total. You can select your own route, or we can assist you with this if required. And while we can't cheer you on in person, you can bet we'll be following your journey virtually via social media and apps like Strava.

Six times:

What can you do six times, or in six minutes, hours or days? Let your imagination flow! Whether it's taking sponsorship for a six-hour sponsored silence, six-day sporting challenge, six season TV show marathon or seeing how many times you can bounce up and down on a trampoline for six minutes, the sky is the limit!

Groups of six:

If you live in an area where the rule of six is being observed, what could you do safely, outdoors, with five other friends, maintaining social distancing? What about a six-person bake sale, garden afternoon tea or garage clear out? Or, if restrictions are still in force, could you meet as a group of six, 16, 60 or 66 (or more!) on Zoom for a sponsored virtual murder mystery, karaoke session, film night, gameathon, quiz or race night?

Get started now!

If you have any questions, need more inspiration or want to request a fundraiser t-shirt, collection box or social media shout out for your fundraising, email fundraising@thebraincharity.org.uk or call 0151 298 2999.

Six-themed donations:

If you don't want to participate in a sponsored event, please consider making a one-off donation to The Brain Charity, or setting up a regular monthly direct debit for six months instead, at our online donations page here.

After you've made your donation, shout about it on social media using the hashtag #Sixmas and nominate six friends to do the same!

£6 can reduce social isolation by paying for two people with neurological conditions, like Clare and Christine, to attend a coffee morning at the charity.

£60 funds three members of our information and advice team to provide vital support about living with a condition to someone with a new diagnosis, like Sarah and Trina.

£600 enables us to be there for patients like Ian and their families as soon as they are diagnosed, by funding a hospital-based outreach worker and the wraparound support the charity provides alongside this for 12 hours.

Six more ways to help

Maybe youve already got started on your Sixmas fundraiser or you may not be in the financial position to donate money. Either way, there are still other ways you can help.

- Like & follow The Brain Charity on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram & share the appeal using the hashtag #Sixmas

- Tell others text, email or write to friends and family about our campaign & why its important to you.

- Share your story. One in six people have a neurological condition but people worry they will be judged, which can be isolating. If you have a condition, combat this by being honest and sharing how its affecting you with the people you love.

- We probably all know someone who has a neurological condition, so listen to others. Being available to talk could be the lifeline someone needs.

- Visit us! When you feel safe and ready, if you're local to Liverpool pop into The Brain Food Café and our charity shop. Theyre still open and support our community.

Join us for the long haul: The lifeblood of The Brain Charity is our community, so volunteering is another great way to support us. We have roles which can be carried out remotely too - email volunteering@thebraincharity.org.uk .

Where your money goes

Donations help fund our vital work helping people with all neurological conditions, their families, friends, and carers to live longer, healthier, happier lives. At least 83p of every £1 The Brain Charity receives is spent on our charitable work, while the remaining 17p goes towards generating the next £1. You can find out more about the help The Brain Charity provides here, or by watching the video below.