1 Year.

So it's been just over a year since I started my challenge, and about 3 months since I finished it. It's crazy to think that this time last year I was living off a tenner a week to raise money for charity. And although I raised over £2000....I would never do it again. It's only now that I can look back on it and realize how stressed I was...like, crazy stressed. And I missed out on SO much! It's only been the past couple of months that I've actually gotten back into going out and having fun...and it is amazing. I didn't realize how much I missed it or took it for granted before!

I have learnt some lessons, I am still buying Sainsbury's basics range...although I treated myself to 'real' yoghurt's instead of the basics range (if you can remember my post, they weren't nice). And even though I have treated myself to new clothes, I now make sure that it's either something I NEED or it's in the sale...although I did treat myself to a new pair of Kurt Geiger shoes, which I didn't need at all...but they were on sale ;)

I look back and I still can't believe I sacrificed my living standards for NINE months, to raise money for charity. Yes it was a good thing to do, and I guess you would call it selfless, but still...I was living off rubbish. I gained 3kg from eating crap food. I couldn't go out and socialize with friends as often as most people, and I couldn't get the bus if I was tired after Uni...I had to walk. So I'm happy to admit I am glad it's over.

A huge thank you to everyone who donated, you helped me raise over £2000 for the four charities, with all of it going to VERY worthy causes!

Also I have a new blog...but here's a game for you, I won't post the link...try and find it yourselves. Keeping in mind I am a Facebook Addict... ;)

Royal Overseas League Article.

For the past couple of years I have been a member of the Royal Overseas League. They were kind enough to write an article in their magazine (Sept-Dec issue) about my £10 a week challenge, which I received in the post yesterday. It was a great article, unfortunately they got a couple of important things wrong though...the title they put was '£10-a-day charity challenge' £10 a day - I wish haha! If you are here and reading this because the that article sent you here, then it was £10 A WEEK...not a day. It also says in there that I live with my parents...this is also wrong. I DO NOT live with my parents. I live with some friends in a house in London near our University, which we rent ourselves.

I do feel that these two vital bits of information are mis-leading....anyone can live off £10 a day, and if I lived with my parents surely I could have eaten their food?

But no, it was £10 a week (£1.50 a day), and I lived in my own rented house....so I had to buy all my food etc myself, and pay for it all myself with that £10 a week budget.

If you are here from that article, please take the time to read through my blog which will explain everything to you, and if you would like to donate you can do so by clicking on the 'Just Giving' widgets on the right hand side of this post ---------->

:)

Olympic Torch Relay.

You can still donate to my £10 a week challenge, even though I finished it a month ago!

Also, my boyfriend nominated me to carry the Olympic Torch in the relay! So click on the link then click 'like' on the Facebook button.

http://www.lloydstsblondon2012.co.uk/en/carrytheflame/Nomination/?nid=51c43c5e-2507-4597-9385-85b8767064c1

Updates

So it's been just over 2 weeks since I finished my challenge, I'm kinda missing the whole blogging thing, and I'm actually struggling to spend a lot of money :/

I now seem to have something in my head telling me not to spend a lot of money, and to budget constantly.

It's been lovely flashing the cards around again and it's amazing to be able to go out when I want and spend money on eating out *mmmm pancakesss and smoothie*.

I am also SO glad that Coca Cola bought out their 125 year anniversary coca cola bottles AFTER I finished my challenge, because although they're only £1.99 each at Selfridges, delivery costs are £4.95! Oh...yeh...btw...I collect coca cola bottles :/ sad I know, but I love them!

So far I've raised £2029 including gift aid and offline donations. If you would like to donate please read the information below, choose which charity you would like to donate to, follow the link to the charity Just Giving page by clicking the name of the charity that's in red, and then click 'donate'. It takes less than 30 seconds to donate via Just Giving and you can do it from all over the world, using any debit or credit card, and they also accept paypal :)

HUGHES SYNDROME FOUNDATION

Hughes Syndrome causes headaches and migraines, memory loss, dizziness, strokes, heart attacks, blood clots in the arms/legs and lungs - all of which are potentially fatal. It is also a leading cause of recurrent miscarriage. We aim to achieve earlier diagnosis and treatment of Hughes Syndrome.

HOME-START GUILDFORD

Home-Start Guildford helps parents build better lives for their children. Trained volunteers provide practical and emotional support to parents with at least one child under 5, who are struggling and who may be suffering from post-natal depression, illness, disability, bereavement, isolation, multiple births... or just not coping. With your help, we can give parents the strength they need to do what has to be one of the toughest, but most rewarding jobs anyone can do. We can help them to be the mums and dads their children need them to be. Parents supporting other parents: a simple idea that really works!

TOMMY'S - THE BABY CHARITY

Tommy's funds medical research into the causes of premature birth, stillbirth and miscarriage, and provides an information service about health in pregnancy.

LUPUS UK

LUPUS UK is the only national charity supporting people with the immune system illness Lupus. It has a number of groups throughout the UK and supports over 6,000 members through these groups. It also provides funding for medical research into this life threatening and debilitating illness.

You can now donate via text!

Great news! You can now donate to my Just Giving pages via text!

All you have to do is text 'TPPT70 £5' to 70070. So it's quicker and easier than ever! So no one has any excuses now...now go donate everyone who hasn't already!! I'm still over half way off my target.

Thanks :)

The Bupa 10k Results are also up;