Step Into the Ring with Anya: Championing Cyber Safety This Holiday Season
As the holiday season approaches, we at The Cyber Helpline are reminded of the incredible power of community, generosity, and courage. This year, one of our amazing supporters, Anya Bridges, is taking on a challenge that embodies all three. On December 21st, 2024, Anya, a 20-year-old Project and Operations Manager at Bob’s Business, will step into the boxing ring for the first time ever to raise money to support our mission of empowering individuals to understand, contain, and recover from cyberattacks.
A New Kind of Challenge
Anya signed up for the white-collar boxing event in March as a way to meet new people, stay fit, and push herself. Official training began in November, and it’s been a transformative experience.
“Probably the physical and mental resilience required has been a big eye-opener,” Anya shared. “Finding the motivation to turn up to every training session, even at 8 PM on a cold dark winter evening, when all I want to do is cosy up on the sofa after work. Every training session pushes me in ways I didn’t expect, but seeing my progress has been so rewarding... I couldn't even punch a bag without getting embarrassed!”
Fighting for a Cause Close to the Heart
Her choice of charity is deeply personal and tied to her career in the cyber sector. “As someone with a background in cyber, I’ve seen firsthand how devastating cybercrime can be for individuals,” Anya explained. “The Cyber Helpline’s mission to provide support to those affected is incredibly important, and I’m proud to champion a cause that aligns so closely with my passion for making a positive impact in this industry.”
The boxing challenge has also been a journey of personal growth for Anya. “Stepping into a completely new arena (literally!) has been daunting,” she said. “But it’s taught me to embrace my weaknesses and focus on my personal growth.”
Looking Ahead to Fight Night
As the big night approaches, Anya is excited for the experience ahead. “I’m looking forward to the energy of the crowd, the camaraderie with other participants, and knowing that it’s all for a cause close to my heart,” she said.
Anya hopes her story inspires others to take on challenges for causes they care about. “Challenges like this are an incredible way to combine personal growth with making a difference,” she said. “It’s about stepping out of your comfort zone for something bigger than yourself.”
How You Can Help
Her JustGiving page is live, and every penny raised will go directly to The Cyber Helpline to support victims of cybercrime. Your donation can help individuals in need regain control, recover from their experiences, and feel empowered in the digital world.
👉 Donate here: Anya’s JustGiving Page
Whether you can donate, share her story, or cheer her on from the sidelines, every bit of support makes a difference.
This holiday season, consider starting your own fundraiser to support a cause you’re passionate about. Anya’s story reminds us of the incredible things we can achieve when we combine personal goals with the desire to help others.
👉 Create your own Fundraiser here: The Cyber Helpline JustGiving
Click “Fundraise for Us”: On The Cyber Helpline JustGiving page, locate and click the Fundraise for Us button.
Sign Up or Log In: If you don’t already have a JustGiving account, you’ll be prompted to sign up with your email address, name, and a password.
Choose Your Event Type: Select the type of fundraiser you want to create (e.g., a personal challenge, celebration, or another activity).
Set Up Your Fundraising Page: Fill in the details for your fundraiser, such as your story, target amount, and any images.
Publish Your Page: Once everything is set up, click to publish your fundraising page. It will now be live and linked to The Cyber Helpline.
Share Your Fundraiser: Share the link to your fundraising page with friends, family, and social media to start collecting donations.