BITES#3: Unbelievable charity challenges - from fridges to naked sledding!

03/17/25 • 16 min

Some people run marathons, others bake cakes... and then there are those who strap a fridge to their backs or race down icy slopes in nothing but a helmet and boots! 😳

In this episode of The Charity Show Bites, Tim and Piers dive into the craziest, most extreme, and downright bizarre fundraising challenges attempted in the name of charity. From marathon-running in deep-sea diving suits to cycling across the world on a penny farthing, these fundraisers prove that there’s no limit to human determination (or creativity!).

Tune in to hear about:
🏃‍♂️ A man who ran 30 half-marathons in 30 days... carrying a fridge!
🩸 An artist who paints entirely in his own blood (yes, really).
🛷 The Naked Sledding World Championships – because fundraising should be fun, right?
🌍 Rowing across the Atlantic at 70 years old to support Alzheimer’s research.

What’s the wildest charity challenge you’ve ever seen? Or better yet – what’s the strangest thing you’d do to raise money? Let us know over on our social channels, or via the links below!

#CharityPodcast #ExtremeFundraising #WeirdDonations #NonprofitLife #TheCharityShow

Get involved:

Email us: ⁠[email protected]⁠
⁠⁠Send us a voice message⁠⁠
Leave us a comment or review

Follow us on social - every link you need is HERE

The Charity Show | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree

Some people run marathons, others bake cakes... and then there are those who strap a fridge to their backs or race down icy slopes in nothing but a helmet and boots! 😳

#CharityPodcast #ExtremeFundraising #WeirdDonations #NonprofitLife #TheCharityShow

Get involved:

Email us: ⁠[email protected]⁠
⁠⁠Send us a voice message⁠⁠
Leave us a comment or review

Follow us on social - every link you need is HERE

The Charity Show | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree

Previous Episode

Celebrity connections: How Julian House taps into star power– with Zoe Conn

In this episode of The Charity Show, Tim and Piers explore the power of celebrity involvement in charity work with Zoe Conn, Fundraising and Development Director at Julian House. They discuss how personal connections can lead to impactful partnerships with high-profile figures like Dominic West and Russell Howard, helping to raise awareness and funds for crucial causes.

They cover:

The strategies behind securing celebrity ambassadors and why authenticity matters
The challenges of managing high-profile partnerships and ensuring long-term engagement
Real-life examples of celebrity impact in charity campaigns
How charities of all sizes can tap into celebrity support, even without big budgets
The balance between media attention and mission-driven messaging

If you’re curious about how to engage public figures in your cause—or wondering whether celebrity backing is right for your charity—this episode is packed with valuable insights.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite podcast platform. If you enjoy the show, follow and leave a five-star review to help more people discover The Charity Show.

Chapters

(00:00) Welcome to Episode 21 of the Charity Insiders podcast is out now

(11:22) Introducing Zoe Conn and Julian House

(32:37) News

(37:35) Zoe Conn - Part 2

(56:30) Superstars

#CharityPodcast #CelebrityAmbassadors #Fundraising #CharitySector #JulianHouse #DominicWest #RussellHoward

Featured charities and useful links

Julian House – Learn more about their work tackling homelessness: https://www.julianhouse.org.uk
The Brain Tumour Charity – Celebrity-backed campaigns supporting brain tumour research: https://www.thebraintumourcharity.org
Fire Fighters Charity – Supporting the mental and physical health of fire services: https://www.firefighterscharity.org.uk
Scottish Wildlife Trust – Read about their record-breaking mystery donation: https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk
Ocean 5 Pacific Row Challenge – Follow the team’s journey across the Pacific: https://www.lewismoodyfoundation.org/ocean5
Asia Ahmed’s Food Charity – Find out more about AIA’s Food Charity: (Check local news sources for updates on her initiative)

Get involved:

Email us: ⁠[email protected]⁠
⁠Send us a voice message⁠
Leave us a comment or review

The Charity Show Bites

Send us your comments for The Charity Show Bites on LinkedIn and our other social channels. All the links are ⁠⁠here⁠

Full episode transcript:

Note from Tim and Piers

All views expressed in this podcast are entirely our own, as are the dodgy dad jokes!

Next Episode

Digital marketing for charities: Trends, challenges and opportunities – with Phil Aiston

The world of digital marketing is evolving fast, and charities are under increasing pressure to keep up. In this episode, Tim and Piers sit down with Phil Aiston, Director of Digital Marketing at Manifesto, to explore the challenges and opportunities facing charities in the digital space.

They discuss:

The steep learning curve of digital marketing, from data analytics to social media trends.
How to prioritise digital initiatives when budgets are tight and expectations are high.
Emerging trends, including AI and the need to diversify marketing channels.
The ethical dilemmas of using platforms like Meta—how can charities balance reach with responsibility?
Why conversion rate optimisation is essential for making the most of limited resources.

Whether you're a seasoned marketer or just starting out in the charity sector, this episode is packed with insights to help you navigate the ever-changing digital landscape.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite podcast platform. If you enjoy the show, follow and leave a five-star review to help more people discover The Charity Show.

Chapters

(00:09) Welcome to Episode 22

(09:41) Interview with Phil Aiston- Part 1

(35:15) Charity news

(41:43) Interview with Phil Aiston- Part 2

(1:01:06) Superstars

(1:05:45) Coming up

Useful links