Katie Collier Of Genesis Trust Tells Us Why The Canal Challenge Is So Crucial
Katie Collier co-manages fundraising for Genesis Trust with Michelle Williams. Here Katie tells us why the charity's Canal Challenge on Saturday 22 September, is not an Olympic feat.. but if you take part your input could help in the delivery of nine projects which have a huge impact on the lives of the people using them. Bath Business Women's Association Charity of the year for 2012 - 13, Genesis Trust has never had to close a project yet, says Katie, but £300,000 a year is required to keep them in motion. Find out more about Katie's role, Genesis and why the Canal Challenge will be a special event!
(PICTURES: GENESIS CANAL CHALLENGE, A GENESIS PROJECT IN ACTION, OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST AMY WILLIAMS, THE WOOD WORKS LOGO, )
Katie please tell us a little about yourself and your role - what your role with Genesis involves?
Myself and Michelle Williams share the responsibility to manage all fundraising, PR and communications for Genesis. This means we are involved in all aspects of 
fundraising, from trust to corporate fundraising as well as putting on fundraising events and raising the profile of the charity and all the great work they do.
Please tell us about the Canal Challenge event and what it will involve?
The Genesis Canal Challenge has happened in previous years but this time it will be a bit different. We really want as many people as possible to join in the fun so we have made the challenge a six mile journey so all the family can take part. This year, the Canal Challenge will be an opportunity for Genesis supporters to either walk, cycle or canoe a stretch of the Kennet and Avon canal, starting from outside the George Inn, Bathampton to the Dundas Aqueduct and back again. More creative ideas are also welcome, such as fancy dress too!
This year, we are encouraging people to bring their own picnics during the half-way stop at Dundas, where there will be the fantastic opportunity for the public to meet 
retired Olympic Gold Medallist, Amy Williams. As well as this, registration will include coffee and doughnuts at the start.
For those looking for a bit more of a challenge, we encourage participants to try something they haven't done before, such as canoeing the route! (However, participants need to bring all their necessary equipment with them).
All those interested, please email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
for a registration form when she can send you an information pack on return, ideally letting her know how you wish to take part.
Who can join in with this?
Everyone! We have tried to ensure that the event is accessible and fun as possible for all abilities and any age group and would love to see many families attending, whether they join in for some of it or all day. We would like everyone taking part on the route to collect sponsorship money, however if you are wanting to come just for the picnic etc or to do the route without sponsorship, we ask that everyone pays a £10 donation towards Genesis.
How will the money raised be used by Genesis?
Many people underestimate the work that the Genesis Trust does. We run nine
projects across (and for) the city, not only helping the homeless but many people who are vulnerable for a variety of reasons.
It costs just over £300,000 every year to run the whole of the charity, which 
includes the nine projects. We have never had to close any of our projects and they are all an important and familiar face to those that need them in the city.
We have so many exciting statistics about our work, it's hard to list just how many people our work is affecting. In 2011, our Lifeline Centre received over 7,000 visits which runs its drop in centre for just ten hours a week on a daily basis. We help 640 people on average every month in Bath as well as giving out over 10,000 meals a year from Lunch Box, Sunday Centre and Bath Soup Run. We also offer longer-term opportunities through our onsite Wood Works training and free Life Skills courses every weekday too, and that's not including the successes of Bath Foodbank, Furniture Project and Bath Street Pastors either!
Who are the special guests coming along on the day?
We are delighted that Olympic Gold Medallist Amy Williams will be at the event during the picnic to meet Genesis supporters and sign autographs! Why have they agreed to support the event?
Amy is a local treasure, who grew up in Bath attending both Hayesfield and Beechen Cliff schools. She understands the importance of the work of Genesis
and is delighted to support this event.
What do you hope people will get out of the day/event and joining
in with it?
I hope it will be a chance for everyone to have fun, do something different (such as canoeing down the canal), relaxing, meeting a celebrity, getting to know others from the community and understanding a bit more about our work. As we are a small charity but have a wealth of local volunteers, it's also a chance for local people to celebrate our work and all those involved in it.
What events have you got planned for Genesis for the Autumn/Winter?
As we are Charity of the Year 2012/13 with the Bath Business Women's Association, we have been privileged to be able to host an evening for them at our Wood Works premises for September and also hope to run a local inter-Church quiz with some exciting prizes in the Autumn!
Anything you would like to appeal for/add?
As we are a charity based in Bath and work for the local people of Bath, we are always encouraged by local support but always value the word spread far and wide about us. We always love hearing from you so please get in touch if you would like to get more involved, be added to our mailing list, join our Facebook or Twitter pages or run a local fundraising event for us.
Have you signed up yet? This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Today
Sign up for our Dynamic Regular Newsletter Today
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it about your project or event!
Join us on Facebook
August 2012