Well, we’re done. I feel like I’ve run a marathon or something. Rather like in interviews with athletes at the end of big races, I feel like I’ve been ranting incoherently in a sort of slightly exhausted and emotional sort of way. Life before the appeal seems like an age ago. Will I ever be the same again?
I can hardly believe it - I reached my target (admittedly with the help of a contribution from my own self, but apparently that still counts). Last week doing target looked very unlikely, but this week I’ve picked up standing orders every night, mostly between 9.30 and 10.00pm each evening just when I was about to give up hope.
It’s been a fantastic six weeks. I feel really grateful. What a practice fundraising is! The sense of team and camaraderie was very strong by the end. Collectively we didn’t quite do our target, but certainly raised a sizeable amount between us.
I’ve felt thoroughly shaken and stirred and humbled at times. But also moved and alive and inspired. The people whose doors I’ve knocked on have been a source of amazement and have consistently surprised me, often in a very positive way.
Respect is due to those who keep the Karuna appeal show on the road, and to anyone that puts themselves through this repeatedly. I think it’s true what people say: if you do a Karuna appeal you will gain a huge amount, perhaps even more than you give.
