"Cause I Can" Judith Cantor's fundraising projects

Can Judith really keep her mouth closed for that long?

It's going to be a challenge, let me tell you!

From sunrise to sunset on 16 January, 2010 I will entering into a Day of Silence in support of women who have been abused - emotionally, physically or sexually - but haven't felt strong enough to talk about it.

The timing is actually quite poignant for me.

 A few short weeks ago, someone I met through Twitter emailed me and three other people about soliciting Christmas gifts for a women's shelter in Western Sydney. It's amazing how the act of asking for help can be so powerful.

Not only did we all jump at the opportunity, but we managed to secure beauty products, pampering sessions and journals for the 15 women who had most recently moved to the crisis centre, and gifts for their 35 children. The response from the companies we approached was quite unbelievable. 

The man I mentioned before blogged about the act of giving and within 40 hours, his blog had been read by 1,000 people and forwarded on 99 times. It seems human kindness is still prevalent in a busy, money-driven world!

I feel very lucky to have been part of this impromptu act of kindness, and I really hope that the presents go some way towards lifting the spirits of the women, and help them on their healing journey.

So, back to my Day of Silence next year.

Although it will not yield anything tangible, the healing energy and mindfulness I intend to practice will hopefully create a shift on a spiritual and metaphysical level.

The money raised, however, will indeed be tangible! It will go towards the White Ribbon Foundation so that they can assist women in Australia who have experienced domestic violence.

Please, please donate to this important cause via my fundraising page: www.everydayhero.com.au/judith_cantor_3.

And if you can, please also forward my message on to anyone else you feel may benefit from it, or want to help as well.

All the very best to you and your loved ones. May the Festive Season bring you much peace and joy.

Unexpected mud wrestling

Yesss! I lived to tell the tale (or maybe that should read "tail"). In fact, I loved it!

The inaugural Sydney Mud Run was totally exhilirating and it reminded me of why I do things like Laughter Yoga and hanggliding - what fun! A bunch of adventure seeking fitness fanatics running, wading and swimming through mud pits, grassy fields and rivers. Even Channel 9 News came to Glenworth Valley to capture the "nutters" eating dirt!

Thankfully I think they'd left before people started throwing themselves lemming style into the river to try to get clean. It reminded me of that baptism scene from "O Brother Where Are Thou?"... minus the music, of course. Check out the photos below.

Next year I definitely want to do it again but "upgrade" to the 12km track and share the experience with a large group of friends. More on that later.

So, what was all this in aid of again, you ask?

Well, other than the sheer silliness of it and some cross-country exercise, I was raising both awareness and funds for RSPCA NSW.

I've left my fundraising page open until Christmas because even animals deserve gifts! Please don't forget them when you shop for your family and friends... in fact, why not visit www.everydayhero.com.au/judith_cantor-6 right now and make a donation? All donations great and small will help the shelters cope with the over-capacity crowd during the holidays. Donations over $2 are also tax deductible.

A big thanks for your support. And, as always, please forward to any animal lovers you know?

Woof!

Mud for breakfast

Tomorrow is Mud Run day! I look forward to it with a healthy dose of trepidation and the excitement of a child on Christmas morn or a dog about to be given a bone.

If you can, please support my charity of choice for this whacky event - RSPCA NSW - and let others know about it too?

Let's make sure all dogs in NSW have caring owners to give them bones... or at least shelter and a warm, snug bed!

To make sure you are one of the first to see photographic evidence of me in all my mud-encrusted glory, visit www.everydayhero.com.au/judith_cantor_6 and leave your Festive Season gift :)

Thanks so much!