Gina Long begins a new monthly look at Norfolk's charity fundraisers.

There is definitely a healthy message attached to this month's fantastic fundraising.

Just a few short weeks ago, my close friend Lisa Lumley and I joined tens of thousands of people raising money for charity by taking on the London Marathon.

It was an amazing and humbling experience and I must thank everyone who so generously supported and sponsored us.

While we were overwhelmed and overjoyed to raise more than £18,000, there was other support that will live with us always – including the kind person in a local garage that allowed us to have a free drink when we went out on a long training run with no money!

n While mentioning running, good luck to Stuart Neie who is taking part in the Great Newham Run in support of The Hamlet, supporting children and adults with disabilities and complex health needs.

The 10k course goes around the Olympic Park and finishes in the Olympic Stadium.

Stuart told the charity's website: 'A family member goes to The Hamlet and I wanted to raise money as your centre does so much good across all age groups. I decided it would be an honour to raise some money for something so good as The Hamlet.'

He can be sponsored via his Just Giving page - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Stuart-Neie.

n If you want some physical activity with a burst of colour, then look no further than Lowestoft's first-ever Colour Dash in aid of East Anglia's Children's Hospice.

Walk, jog or run two miles while getting showered in colourful powdered paint for what should be a fantastic and eye-catching spectacle at Normanston Park on Sunday July 9.

More information is available from Tal Williams on 01953 666767 or email tal.williams@each.org.uk.

n Sarcoma UK, a charity very close to my heart, has launched a nationwide fundraising event to coincide with Sarcoma Awareness Week, which takes place between July 3-9.

Supporters of the charity all over the UK will host picnics at work, in parks, in their gardens, at sports clubs and at schools, to raise vital funds for sarcoma research and support.

Register at https://sarcoma.org.uk/get-involved/TBP to receive your Big Picnic Pack, full of tips and advice, balloons, banners and even a picnic blanket.

n Norfolk Hospice Tapping House is always wonderfully supported in their local community and there is plenty to choose from in the month of June when it comes to fundraising events.

From motorbikes to Military Wives, craft fairs to murder mystery evenings, find out all the latest via https://www.norfolkhospice.org.uk/Pages/Events.

n Likewise, the Big C, Norfolk's cancer charity since 1980, also has a packed programme of events coming up.

Whether you are a thrill seeker and fancy a bungee jump, want to get active with the 50-obstacle Steeplechase Derby or fancy a traditional country fair at Claxton Manor, there is something for you.

Head over to http://www.big-c.co.uk/Events for all the latest information.

My good friends at the Thetford 93 continue to fundraise for West Suffolk Hospital's My WiSH Charity with four members of the community group taking part in the Orbit Abseil on June 10.

The ArcelorMittal Orbit, in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, is the tallest sculpture in the UK and offers a 262ft view of many of the city's most iconic buildings.

Thetford 93 are an amazing group which has done some fantastic fundraising as well as putting Thetford and its generous community on the map. They are a true inspiration.

A massive congratulations must go to Kett Country Cottages for organising a successful charity football match at Fakenham Town FC, which raised more than £1,000 for MIND and Nelson's Journey.

Finally, I would like to end my column by paying tribute to the incredible volunteers who support all of these events and many, many more.

Without their dedication and support, our charities would miss out on some crucial fundraising.

This is never more evident than in our big agricultural shows – the Royal Norfolk Show, the South Suffolk Show and the Suffolk Show.

National Volunteers Week is held between Thursday June 1 and Wednesday June 7.

This is a wonderful time to reflect, thank and pay tribute to all the hard work volunteers do 365 days of the year.

If you have a Norfolk-based charity event you would like to feature in this column, please email me on gina@geewizzcharity.com. Gina Long MBE is founder of the East Anglian-based GeeWizz charity.