The Lauren Currie Twilight Foundation: Vasculitus Awareness

This year marks an important year for my year group - we are all turning 21. Sadly one member of our group won't be celebrating this with us, and that is Lauren Currie.

Lauren was easily the bubbliest girl I knew. Anyone who met her can vouch for the fact that she would light up any room that she entered with a big grin on her face, an infectious laugh and some comment about the Twilight Saga. She even had a full-sized cardboard cut-out of Edward himself.

I was lucky enough to know this amazing girl. We spent many lunchtimes sitting on 'the bridge' - our groups spot for lunch and I got to see her amazing acting talents when we worked together in the school show. Although she wasn't my best friend, she was certainly a friend that influenced my life. And when Rachel called me up to tell me the awful news that she had passed away at just 15, I was heartbroken. When I first saw the floods of messages on her Facebook wall, I thought it was some kind of sick joke. Unfortunately, it was not.

However, something has come out of this tragedy, and that is the Lauren Currie Twilight Foundation. This charity, set up by her parents, has given friends and family a way to cope with the loss. I first got involved to support my good friend Rachel, who I have known since nursery, as she was incredibly close to Lauren. I saw how it helped her through the difficult time, and wanted to support her in any way I could. Most importantly, the charity keeps Lauren's memory alive to this day.

It is also a way to prevent another death like Lauren's. Vasculitus is not a terminal illness, but as it is not well known, the symptoms can often be missed. By raising awareness and doing research about this illness, we can help future patients and families. In September this year, Lauren would have been 21, and so to celebrate the charity is aiming to have raised £500k by this time. Therefore, to help with this final push, I have decided to do a few fundraising events this summer. I started off by running the annual 5k event with Rachel, and the next stop is walking the West Highland Way over 7 days. It will be tough, but if it raises the money I hope it does, it will be worth every step.

To donate please follow this link to the just giving page, any donations big or small are greatly appreciated. Thank you.

For more information on Lauren, the charity and the work it does, visit the website here.

Making a Wish List

A good 6 months ago now, I read a post on Di Coke's blog superlucky.me all about making a wishlist and vowed to myself it would be the next thing I did.

A couple of months later, still no list. And then I saw that Di was running a competition where you had to design a wish list, take a photo and tweet it to her. As always, a competition spurred me into action and I created the above list. Although I didn't win Di's comp, I am so glad I made this list. It's so motivating and helps me time manage my hobby.

So, 5 months and 3 days later, how successful have I been?

Well I can tick off the following:

1) iPad - Snapchat competition with 'The Maze Runner'

2) Concert Tickets - Went to X-Factor Live with my Dad thanks to the Metro

3) SuperLucky Secrets - I ran a comp on my blog after reviewing this so kinda a win :P

4) Fitness Tracker - Apple iWatch Sport from KISS Fm

I didn't realise quite how motivating it would be to have something as simple as a wish list! It can be on your phone, on an app or pure and simple written down. I loved making mine colourful and having a physical copy of it, as it meant I could put it on my noticeboard above my desk to keep me motivated during a dry spell! Try putting it on the fridge or somewhere you will see every day! 

Another thing I have realised is that a wish list changes. I certainly would still love a trip away and a bike, but a camera and festival tickets are currently top of my list. By knowing what your top prizes would be, you can focus more time on these and be more likely to win, but also use your time more wisely. Sometimes, comping can seem a long process, so saving time by having a niche search is a much more productive way of doing things and can make it all so much more rewarding. Don't be disheartened if you don't win straight away, or don't win that item at all! I am planning on buying a camera soon, as it seems to be the prize that escapes me. I am hoping it will be a good investment for future competitions that require a photograph!

The other day I was telling my mum about how I had set out to win bike related prizes for my cycling obsessed dad for Father's Day. I managed to win these amazing Biscuiteers biscuits after plenty of searching. My mum was so impressed about searching for a specific win that she started to request new kitchen pots and pyrex dishes for the kitchen! Looks like I've got another item to add to my list!

What are your current top 3 on your wish list? Let me know in the comments below and I will let you know if I see any comps for them!

Luck and Love, 

Laurie

Comping Bloopers

I love comping. In fact, I'm almost (read definitely) addicted to it. However, there are some moments when you wonder what on earth you are doing. The level of commitment we sometimes put into our brilliant hobby can give us some hilarious moments. Here are my comping bloopers, and I would love to hear yours in the comments - go on, let's have a laugh about this amazing and crazy game we play! If I get enough good ones, I'll feature them in the next update!

1) When you change your diet to consist mainly of crisps to find that winning code (one day I will get a K).

2) The ever changing shopping list, and therefore meals, depending on the current on pack promotions. And the difficulty in reading those tiny T&Cs on the back of the packet when you've forgotten your glasses.

3) The excitement of seeing that famous three letter word, even if it is followed by disappointment:

4) Doubling back on yourself to pick up some rubbish because you can't help but womble when you see the word win.

5) Listening to music you can't stand just to hear the radio presenter announce a competition.

6) Changing your daily routine to have lunch at crazy times in case it is your name announced on the radio.

7) That box that all compers have full of random things they are determined to use one day (yes, even the automatic toothpaste dispenser). 

8) When people ask how you have mutual friends with someone on Facebook and you have to admit you've never met each other in real life, but they did help you win tickets to that concert you went to!

9) Answering every phone call with a hopeful 'hello' only to be offered compensation from that accident you had when driving....even though you don't drive.

10) Answering the phone EVERYWHERE - from supermarkets to toilets. Who knows if its a win!

11) Shamelessly asking friends for their empty wrappers because you know there's a competition on it. Even better, offering to collect people's rubbish, only to be selective what rubbish you collect depending on if it's a potential win or not.

12) Uploading photos on Instagram from 3 years ago because it fits a competition brief. Just tell people you went blonde for a day and then dyed it back!

13) That bag full of empty promotional packs and receipts, just in case they ask for proof that you bought the item.

14) Every moment is a potential winning photo moment. Up a hill? Strike a pose. Dancing in the pub? Get it on camera. And then retaking the shot countless times to make sure it's perfect.

15) Being dressed like a lunatic in a public place to get a funny photo entry.

16) That all to familiar roll of the eyes when you start talking about comping to non-compers.

Embarrassing, funny and annoying, but all worth it for that win! What's your biggest comping blooper? Let me know in the comments below! Thanks for reading!

Luck and Love,

Laurie