The 'you know what' has hit the fan!

This weekend, our fantastic supporter, Samantha Sheridan was meant to be taking part in the London Triathlon to raise money for With Kids.

However, things didn't go to plan and after months of hard work and dedication, unfortunately for Samantha illness got in the way.

But all is not lost - read all about what other challenge she is taking part in below.

So after 2 months of training, cycling, running, squeezing wetsuits on and then off again... a virus seems to have taken GOLD!

Over a week of not being quite right has left me exhausted and dehydrated... I continued to run but 'runs' of a different theme have got in the way. My supporters who have kindly flown down from Glasgow sporting a banner have even commented on my muscle loss!!! Can I hide behind the banner???

I am gutted. My number is 2508 and my bike was serviced last week, it's all shiny and ready, plus my new Lycra tri-suit arrived which matches my wetsuit. I cant believe the weekends swimming in the cold outdoor pools of London has been a waste (way before the heatwave too!!!). 

However ALL IS NOT LOST!!! I am not a quitter and when I say I'll do something, and get sore bum cheeks from training so hard doing it, then I am not about to say 'oh well never mind'. And I want to compete for With Kids - its a charity I really believe in and want to do something for. 

So my friend Natalie has signed me up for the Brighton Triathlon - it's LONGER, TOUGHER and sea swimming!!! I'm scared, as all training has been for a sprint distance, but I do feel like I want and need a bigger challenge and I can assure you this time I will NOT be eating seafood or going near any busy virus filled places and in fact will maybe lock myself in a darkened room a week prior to race day. 

On a positive I think it will give more time for donations and it's definitely a life lesson,  because sometimes we work hard at something only to be halted by something else out-with our control - get up and aim higher!

I do thank everyone who has supported this far and I can't express how sad I am but please lets all keep momentum up. Brighton is in September and I'll keep you all updated soon... x

If you'd like to donate please visit Samantha's Just Giving page HERE.

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Good Luck Samantha!

If you've been keeping up to date with our blog posts over the past couple of months you will have noticed that one of our supporters, Samantha, has been training very hard for the London triathlon.

Samantha is kindly donating all funds raised to With Kids and we really cannot thank her enough for her continued support!

She will be taking part in the Virgin Triathlon which takes place this weekend in London on Saturday 27th July.

The Virgin Active London race is the largest and most established Triathlon in the world and the team at With Kids would like to wish you the very best of luck!

We'll be sure to hear from her when she finishes the race and will let you know how she gets on.

If you would like to make a donation  please click on Samantha's Just Giving page HERE.

Or if she has inspired you to get involved in fundraising for With Kids then find out how you can help by clicking HERE. 

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Summer Programme at With Kids

At With Kids, our annual Summer Programme begins this week which gives the kids, families and all of our supporters the chance to relax and enjoy themselves throughout the summer holidays.

Our programme for the year is full but we thought we'd pull together a list of the activities to remind you of what's on.

The weather for the week ahead is set to stay lovely and warm - so make sure you pack your sun cream and take plenty of water if you're coming along to any of our activities.

We've got lots of fun packed events planned throughout July and August:

• Tues 9th July - RIVERSIDE MUSEUM 10.30am – 3pm
• Wed 10th July - PAMPERING 10.30am -12.30pm
• Wed 10th July - CATHEDRAL MURDER TRAIL 11am – 1pm
• Wed 10th July - CINEMA CLUB 1.30pm – 3.30pm
• Thurs 11 July - CALDERGLEN PARK 10am – 3pm
• Thurs 11th July - PIZZA MAKING/CAKE DECORATION 12.30pm – 2.30pm
• Fri 12th July -BBQ & GAMES 12pm – 3pm
• Tues 16th July - SCIENCE CENTRE 10.30 – 3pm
• Wed 17th July - OUTDOOR GAMES/ FOREST FUN -11am – 1pm
• Wed 17th July - FAMILY FUN & RELAXATION 1pm – 2.30pm
• Thurs 18th July - MILLPORT  10am – 3pm
• Fri 19th July - MUGDOCK 10.30am – 3pm
• Tues 23rd July - ARTS & CRAFTS 10.30am – 12.30pm
• Tues 23rd July - ARTS & CRAFTS 1pm – 3pm
• Wed 24th July - PAMPERING 10.30am – 12.30pm
• Wed 24th July - GLASGOW CATHEDRAL MURDER TRAIL 11am – 1pm
• Wed 24th July - CINEMA CLUB 1.30pm – 3.30pm
• Thurs 25th July -  KELBURN PARK 10am – 3pm
• Thurs 25th July - PIZZA/CAKE MAKING 12.30pm – 2.30pm
• Fri 26th July - OUTDOOR GAMES/ FOREST FUN 11am – 2pm
• Tues 30th July - RIVERSIDE MUSEUM 10.30 – 3pm
• Wed 31th July - LOCH LOMOND 10.30am – 3pm
• Wed 31st July - FAMILY FUN & RELAXATION 1pm – 2.30pm
• Thurs 1st August - UNCOMMONWEALTH GAMES 12pm – 3pm
• Fri 2nd August - MILLPORT 10am – 3pm
• Tues 5th-Thurs 8th August - CAMPING Meet at 10am Tues morning.
• Fri 9th August - SUMMER PARTY 1pm – 3pm

If you'd like any more information about our summer programme - please contact Suzy on 0141 550 5770 or you can contact us on Facebook or Twitter.

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Can You Help Create Our New Garden?

Our friends and supporters at JCI Glasgow are working with us to help improve our 'Garden Space' at the front of our Glasgow office on Annfield Place, Dennistoun.

When the sunshine decides to come out, we use the garden space for games and BBQ's for the With Kids families but it is a little tired looking and with a small amount of work could potentially be used a lot more.

Below we've posted some photos of our garden to give you an idea of how it currently looks.

We've been discussing sketch proposals with the team at JCI Glasgow and a final design is close to being agreed with the current scope as follows:

• Clean up the existing grass and trees Repair and re-paint the existing metal railings and gates
• Install a new dropped kerb at the Garden entrance
• Plant low level, low-maintenance bushes around the perimeter to give an element of privacy and act as a natural protective barrier around the existing metal railing supports
• Install a hard standing area with timber planters and benches
• Construct a ‘Living den’ for the children
• Create an area next to the gable wall for growing flowers, fruit plants etc.

Existing & Proposed Plans June 2013

The next step in the proposed plan is to make the vision a reality and if time allows, we are looking to have the garden ready by the end of summer/early autumn 2013.

However for this to happen we need your help and we are looking to recruit a project team as soon as possible.

If you would like to get involved or know someone who may be able to help out with either the on going design process or the actual construction/landscaping work then please get in contact with either Tom (tomwiddows@jciglasgow.com) or Lauren (lauren_murray@jciglasgow.com).

Or you can get in touch with us on Facebook and Twitter.

To find out more about JCI Glasgow click HERE. 

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£200 of toys for With Kids!

At the weekend we were lucky enough to have the opportunity to take part in a trolley dash at the opening of The Entertainer Toy Shop in Buchanan Galleries, Glasgow.

Characters Ben 10 and Wizard Hazard officially opened the shop and some of our kids got to meet them!

The kids managed to bag around £200 of toys from the trolley dash which they get to keep - but best of all they had such a good time!

Below are some photos of the kids looking chuffed with their new toys and having good fun!

We'd like to thank The Entertainer Toy Shop for donating the toys to With Kids - it's greatly appreciated!

With the summer holidays now in full swing - we're starting our summer programme next week and we're looking for volunteers.

If you'd like to help out please contact Suzy on 0141 550 5770 or s.blair@withkids.org.uk. Or you can let us know on Facebook and Twitter.

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