Autistic man's sponsored walk and Weymouth funeral director's sponsored swim

Here, we share the stories of two people's extraordinary efforts for charity. 

If you are raising money for a charity and would like us to help you publicise your efforts, tell us about it here.

Dawn makes waves for cause

A funeral director at Co-op Funeralcare in Weymouth has raised £650 for local charity, the vessel M.V. Freedom, by hosting a sponsored swim over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Dawn Cheeseman, funeral director at Co-op Funeralcare in Weymouth, chose the nautical charity for the cash after completing a cold-water swim in the open waters off Newton’s Cove.

M.V. Freedom provides access to the sea for those with disabilities. Donations will help towards the funding of equipment and running costs, mooring fees and insurance of the boat.

As well as being a funeral director, Dawn is also a trained volunteer crew member and part of the fundraising committee at M.V. Freedom. Dawn came up with the idea of a sponsored swim whilst in lockdown, which is now set to become an annual event due to its success.

Dawn says: "I want to thank everyone who helped to make the sponsored swim for M.V. Freedom a success.

Dawn after the swim

"From the team at M.V. Freedom to locals, tourists and surrounding businesses, the day really could not have gone any better. Without any of this we wouldn’t be able to do the fantastic trips out for people that we normally do.

"I assisted a blind gentleman who would not have otherwise been able to participate in the sponsored swim without my assistance. We swam 450 metres and it was an extremely rewarding experience."

The sponsored swim

M.V. Freedom has provided access to the sea for those people living with a disability for the past 36 years. Based in Weymouth, passengers include military veterans, the deaf, the blind, young adults, children and the elderly, who often would have no other way of accessing life at sea.

Dawn at work as funeral director of Co-op Funeralcare

Co-op Funeralcare Weymouth also donated £150 to help with the cost of new lifejackets. Dawn is still accepting donations to the charity from the sponsored swim event, which can be made by visiting uk.virginmoneygiving.com/DawnCheeseman

For further information on Co-op Funeralcare, visit www.coop.co.uk/funeralcare

Matthew gives back to trishaw scheme which gives him a newfound sense of freedom

A young man who suffers from a severe form of autism has vowed to walk 50 miles in the month of October to raise money for Cycling Without Age Weymouth.

Matthew Vincent, 26, of Weymouth wants to give back to Cycling Without Age after it gave him the freedom of experiencing a bike ride.

Matthew, who lives with Fragile x Syndrome, has never been able to ride a bike because of his condition.

Cycling Without Age gives elderly and disabled people the chance to ‘feel the wind in their hair’ by taking them out on trishaw which are pedalled by volunteer ‘pilots’.

Matthew and his mum Dawn going for a ride on the trishaws

Matthew said: “I have bad anxiety and it is hard for me to find activities in the community to access and I do not cope with being in groups or crowds. I have never been able to ride a bicycle because I don’t understand the danger of roads and cars and my co-ordination is not good.

“Having Des and the Cycling without age team gives me the freedom and opportunity to try something new and safe.

“They are so helpful and understanding, which helps me with my anxiety.”

Matthew walking at West Bay

This isn’t the first sponsored walk Matthew has done. He completed a sponsored walk for Fancy’s Farm on Portland in April. Matthew plans to raise £300 for Cycling Without Age, Weymouth, which has recently acquired a second trishaw to take people out on and wishes to expand the initiative further.

Matthew can be sponsored by visiting justgiving.com/crowdfunding/dawn-vincent-5