Fundraising for DSN

Fundraising for DSN

DSN needs funds

Doctors' Support Network 2016 cute kitten mental health
DSN is entirely funded by members' donations and receives no regular funding from any external source.

Sick doctors, being neither cute nor fluffy, do not attract generous (any!) funding from grant giving bodies.

​DSN needs funds to pay for insurance, stand fees for conferences and expenses for volunteers to travel as well as printing and sundry other expenses.


Click on the button to find out how to DONATE to DSN:

Fundraising for DSN by the Medical Defence Union

Doctors' Support Network 2021 MDU logo mental health

We’re proud to announce our new initiative with the Medical Defence Union (MDU), the UK’s leading medical defence organisation. 


The MDU is donating half of its foundation year 1 (F1) members’ £10 subscription to two charities this year and DSN is delighted to have been chosen as one of the beneficiaries.  The other charity is the Royal Medical Benevolent Fund.

Apply for MDU membership here


Dr Louise Freeman, co-chair DSN 'We are delighted to be working with the MDU on this valuable initiative. The donations will make a massive difference to the work that we do.'

How you could raise money for DSN 
- find out more below...

Would you like to run a 5k race / do a sponsored bake / undertake any sponsored event in aid of DSN?  


Use the link to go to our dedicated page on Give as you Live - a quick and easy way to collect for your favourite charity including the all important Gift Aid.

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DSN and the London Marathon


DSN previously held a London Marathon silver bond, which entitled us to one place every five years.  The silver bond scheme has now finished and we will not be allocated any more places for this event.

Doctors' Support Network 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon silver bond logo mental health

Sponsored events

Santa Dash - £400 Donation to DSN!

December 2018

DSN member Dr. Caroline Walker, with her brothers Tom and Brad, very kindly raised over £400 for DSN by running the Santa Dash in Brighton at the end of 2018! 
You may know Caroline from the 'Tea & Empathy' group on Facebook or the 'Joyful Doctor'.
 
Doctors' Support Network 2018 Team Joy Santa Dash mental health

Ed & Laurie raised £2000 for DSN in the Mallorca Iron Man challenge!

17th October 2016


Dr Ed Gomm and Laurie raised nearly £2000 for DSN by taking part in the Mallorca Iron Man competition.  Their efforts made the launch of the &me anti stigma campaign possible.  

Well done Ed and Laurie!
Doctors' Support Network 2016 Ed & Laurie Iron Man mental health
Click HERE to download a DSN Gift Aid form for your coffee morning / bake sale.

Donating as you shop 

Amazon 



Raise money for DSN at no extra cost to you while shopping online with Amazon. Click on the image on the right to collect money for DSN as you shop.


As an Amazon Associate, DSN earns from qualifying purchases.

In Association with Amazon.co.uk
easyfundraising
Raise money for DSN at no extra cost to you by shopping online with major retailers including John Lewis and Argos.  Click on the logo on the right to create an easyfundraising account to collect money for DSN as you shop.
Doctors' Support Network 2016 easyfundraising logo mental health

You too could run a marathon - Dr Kathy Grant did!

Doctors' Support Network 2016 Dr Kathy Grant Brighton marathon mental health
By Dr Kathy Grant
​
My first marathon
It was Autumn 2008 when I decided to run a marathon.  I'd done a half in 1989, but whenever I'd tried to run in recent years I had trouble with my knee or hip or back… About this time I'd finally been offered a GP retraining post after several years away from work.  I had been in partnership with my husband until 2001, when I had taken early retirement due to depression, and I reached my lowest point in 2006: suicidal and an in-patient. 

Back to work
In 2007 the 'Returner Scheme' had been suspended, but attempts to arrange my own supervised retraining met with resistance from the deanery.  So I did some voluntary work for the local mental health resource centre which had supported me during recovery, then some private occupational health assistant sessions (minimum wage, part-time, with protection of benefits) and in 2008 retrained in family planning. 

​Running for charity
Used to walking on the downs with my dogs, I nevertheless started with just two minutes slow jog on the road, having first invested in good running shoes.  Most of 2009 would be taken up with my returner job, so I aimed for the marathon in 2010, running for the mental health resource centre and a local youth charity (for a very deprived locality nearby). 

Training regime
I built up my time/distance by a minute at a time to fifteen minutes, then by fifteen minute increments to an hour.  At this point I switched to off-road jogging so the dogs could join me without leads.  I prefer to run by myself, finding it the perfect opportunity to be alone with my thoughts.  Unable to get a London Marathon ballot place, I put in my entry for the inaugural Brighton Marathon in the summer of 2009 as this was near home.  By February 2010 I had got up to twenty miles over four hours, with a few setbacks on the way due to viral illness, holidays or extra stress at work.  In the final weeks I did regular short and mid-distance training runs, including hills and (relative!) speed aiming for a five hour slow jog on the day.   I don't carry any water with me, preferring to drink plenty before and after. I did increase carb intake in the final few days.

Race day
On 18th April 2010, my husband dropped me off at the start.  It took me over five hours and the 20 to 25 mile section was fairly grim; but I was delighted to finish, with lots of support from friends and family along the way.   I raised about £1300, mainly by emailing everyone at a distance and carrying a sponsor form everywhere I went in the three months before the race.  I won't do another marathon in a hurry!  But would use the 'Just Giving' website for future sponsored events.   I still run for fun, fitness and best of all ... it keeps me sane. ​
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