We find out what JULIEANNE KELLY Founder and director of Together We Can Fundraising Limited gets up to on a typical weekend.
Do you ever have to work weekends?
Yes, I do, generally on a Saturday as I find I can get lots of things ticked off the “to do” list without interruptions! Also, planning for the week ahead really helps me. Day to day, the team and I usually have many different fundraising activities for clients so on a weekend, I can plan and take time to think about things. We have just launched a campaign called ‘Who’s In? We Can Do It! Give It a Go’, which is keeping us busy, plus we have been running a campaign around the Great North Run for the charitable causes we support.
Are most weekends the same?
Yes, especially since Covid-19 we have been extremely busy supporting charitable causes that are doing frontline work, because they all need additional funding. Fingers crossed, when lockdown ends, we can get back to some normality.
Do you find it hard to switch off?
I think anyone that runs a business finds it difficult to switch off, you are always thinking about things. For me, it’s fundraising ideas and being creative!
What do you do at a weekend which you can’t fit in through the week?
Lots of exercise! One way I destress and switch off is through exercising, I like to run (slowly) and I bought a mountain bike last summer, so I try to get a run and a bike ride in most weekends. Also, my partner is involved in an allotment, which I volunteer at when I get time, which I find very therapeutic. Morning exercise or a recovery lie in?
Oh, hard question! I like a little lie in, then to be up and out for a run by 9am. I am up for work during the week at 7am, so 9am is a bit of a lie in. I am training for the Great North Run again this year for Blue Sky Trust, which is a North East charity supporting people living with HIV. I need to keep the mileage up!
Big night out or a night in the house?
Prior to Covid-19 I would have said a big night out every time! But I think lockdown has brought some changes in me, where I am spending more time cooking with a nice glass of port. I am also in a band so I gig quite a bit, however this has all stopped due to Covid-19. It means I’m really looking forward to getting back with the lads in Delorean and having gigs which will feel like a big night out!
Do you watch or play sport at a weekend?
No, not really into sport.
What’s the best thing about weekends?
Spending time with Rob my partner, but I can’t wait to get to spend time with family and friends after lockdown and to start gigging again. My weekend usually revolves around getting to a venue to set up and to perform, which is a real buzz! Fingers crossed for the roadmap to work as planned, as this means we officially can gig again from the 21st of June 2021.