Are you ready for a swap up challenge?

Released on 02/09/2008

Do you remember the man who traded a paperclip for a house? The NCT is daring you to do better! Armed with only a pen, the charity is challenging fundraisers to trade up a pen, through a series of swaps, for a more expensive item. The final item will be sold to raise money for the charity.

Trading for the NCT Great Swap Up Challenge, sponsored by Pregnacare starts on 1^st October 2008 and runs until 31^st October giving you a whole month to swap up, so are you ready?

 The charity is looking for teams or individuals to take part – a sports team, scout group, pub quiz team, group of friends or a department at work to challenge another. The aim is to trade up a pen, step by step, for a higher value item each time. The item can be upgraded many times until it reaches an estimated value of £50. Teams can keep track of how other teams are doing by registering in the forum online.  

After/by 31^st October the final swapped up item is to be sold by the team to raise funds for the NCT on a dedicated E Bay three-day auction, or for cash or a cheque.

The champion team who raises the most money from their final item will receive a fantastic mystery prize, so what are you waiting for? Gather your team, register for your pen and get swapping! 

Register online by 26^th September and the NCT will send your team a pen ready to trade up for another item. Register at www.nct.org.uk/swapup or email events@nct.org.uk and help us get the challenge underway. Spread the word to potential team captains you know - or take on the bartering battle yourself. 

Josephine Norman, Events Fundraising Officer, NCT, said; “This kind of challenge combines several elements – it’s about everyone bringing something different to the table and working together. When you’re up against a team you know and you’re supporting a charity, it’s even more fun. So start small, think big and enjoy!” 

Money from the final sale of the items will go towards the NCT. The charity provides valuable services, counselling, information and support to over a million expectant and new parents each year. NCT’s vital work includes a range of services such as:-

£100 provides 20 hours of support to new parents at a local branch group

£250 pays for three months of training for one NCT specialist worker

£500 funds 10 hours of free NCT antenatal classes for young parents 

The Canadian, Mr MacDonald, who traded his paper clip for a house – first swapped his paper clip for a fish-shaped pen. He then swapped his pen for a ceramic door -knob which turned into a camping stove and then a snowmobile and a recording contract! So see if you can do better and help raise money for charity.  

The NCT is the UK’s leading charity on pregnancy, birth and early parenthood – we’re with parents all the way from bump to baby. Each year we support over 100,000 parents through an incredible life changing experience, offering information and practical and emotional support through 300 UK-wide branch networks and we campaign for better maternity care.

Ends 

For more information contact Charlotte Sayer, NCT Press Office on 020 8752 2404 or email press@nct.org.uk  

Notes to editors: 

The Great Swap up Challenge is sponsored by Pregnacare. 

The NCT (formerly known as the National Childbirth Trust) is the UK’s leading charity on pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. Every year the charity supports thousands of parents through an incredible life-changing experience, offering relevant information and mutual support through our network of over 300 local branches, UK wide helplines, antenatal and early days courses, breastfeeding counselling and peer support schemes. 

Operating for over 50 years, the NCT is recognised as the voice of those expecting a baby and new parents throughout the UK. The charity works for improvements to maternity care and better services and facilities for new parents. We are viewed by many as independent experts in matters relating to pregnancy, birth and early parenthood and are an influential and trusted advisor to UK governments, royal colleges, private sector bodies and other charities. For more information visit www.nct.org.uk or call NCT Enquiries line at 0300 33 00 770.

Contact

Press Office
Email: press@nct.org.uk
Website: http://www.nct.org.uk/support-us/events/swapup
Telephone: 0208 752 2404 [Out of hours press phone 07722839428]