Rather than my usual morning trawl through the Sunday papers, I abseiled down Crawley Hospital.

Crawley Hospital Radio had asked me to do this to help raise funds for a new breast cancer scanner and there were about 60 of us taking part.

This was the eighth annual abseil and over the last seven years some £30,000 has been raised for various projects. 

This year the goal was to raise the remaining £6,000 needed to purchase the much needed scanner. 

Once bought, the scanner will mean people can have diagnostic tests at Crawley, rather than having to trek to East Surrey Hospital.

What struck me about the event was that everyone was a winner – families came along for a great day out, those who did the abseil had a lot of fun and vital funds were raised for an incredibly worthwhile charity that will benefit the local community.

I'm quite often contacted by charities asking me to raise awareness of sponsored events, which now make up a significant proportion of their funding. 

A great example - in the month of May, Macmillan Cancer Support are encouraging people to organise a walk, however long, for their friends and family to take part in – after making a small donation of course!

Macmillan also holds its annual 'World's Biggest Coffee Morning' – a chance for friends to get together, have a chat over a cup of coffee and raise some money (more information can be found at www.macmillan.org.uk).

However, some people, including local residents Margaret Dawson and Eileen White, are up for something rather more adventurous.

Next year the pair will be trekking the Great Wall of China to raise funds for Springboard, a wonderful local charity that supports children on the Autistic Spectrum.

Both Margaret and Eileen have sons with autism and they know just what a difference Springboard makes to a lot of families' lives.

Their goal is to raise as much money as possible to contribute to the installation of new lift to help wheelchair-bound children and visitors get around Springboard's building.

They have already raised funds through a range of events organised for their friends and family but if anyone would like to sponsor them, they'd be delighted to receive cheques, large or small - made payable to Trek Springboard and sent to Margaret Dawson, Trek Springboard, Springboard House, 52 Hurst Road, Horsham, RH12 2EP. 

More information can be found at www.trekspringboard0409.webs.com.

So, why not do some research, find an event that appeals to you and go out and have some fun whilst raising vital funds for good causes.