The March Charge is an online, month-long personal challenge that starts on 1 March and runs through until 31 March.
Here are answers to some questions that we get asked. For more info, please contact us or chat with our support team on 1300 811 248.
The Challenge
When and where is The March Charge?
The March Charge is an online, month-long personal challenge that starts on 1 March and runs through until 31 March.
Participants can walk, run, or move solo or with friends/family anywhere and anytime during March. By taking part, you’ll be reducing your cancer risk, promoting physical activity, and helping raise vital funds for cancer research, prevention, and support services.
Set yourself a goal, get fit, fundraise, and let’s tell cancer where to go! Click here to register for 2024
Can I Charge with other people?
Yes, absolutely. We encourage it!
Apart from just being really good fun, exercising in a group is a great motivator. It will help you to keep pushing yourself to reach your goal because everyone is doing it! You’ll never miss a session because you won’t want to let the team down!
If you have multiple teams who are keen to Charge at work you can register as a workplace! It’s the perfect opportunity for staff to get away from the screens, get active and improve overall health and wellbeing. You could organise lunch runs, walking meetings, or fitness sessions via zoom.
How far do I have to Charge?
The March Charge is a personal challenge not a race, so you can choose how many kilometres you’ll Charge during March. You want to challenge yourself though, so your friends get behind you.
We would recommend the following goals to get you started:
- Beginner 50KM in March
- Intermediate 85KM in March
- Advanced 120KM+ in March
Remember, you can always change your goal if you feel you have aimed too high or too low. All you need to do is log in to your dashboard, scroll down and click on ‘My fitness activity’.
Can I Charge in a team with people that live far from me?
The March Charge is a virtual event so you can be a team with your friends or colleagues, wherever you live, and exercise separately. You could even do fitness sessions via zoom!
Can I participate in The March Charge if I have or have had cancer?
There is now clear evidence that regular exercise benefits most people both during and after cancer treatment. Cancer Council’s Exercise for People Living with Cancer booklet features step-by-step instructions and illustrations for 20 simple exercises and provides general information on starting an exercise program after a cancer diagnosis.
Registering
How much does it cost to register?
It is FREE to register and participate in The March Charge. You can Charge solo, as a team, or as a workplace!
Click here to register for 2024, get ready to tell cancer where to go!
Can I register a team or workplace?
Yes, absolutely. We encourage it!
Apart from just being really good fun, exercising in a group is a great motivator. It will help you to keep pushing yourself to reach your goal because everyone is doing it! You’ll never miss a session because you won’t want to let the team down!
It’s also a great opportunity to socialise, so when you’re tossing up between exercising and or catching up with friends and colleagues, you can do both.
There is no minimum or maximum team limit so go nuts!
You can create a team or workplace while you register, and also through your online fundraising page. Or join an existing team and workplace!
Workplaces
How do I register my workplace?
Click here to register your Workplace, get ready to tell cancer where to go!
What's the difference between registering as a workplace and as a team?
You can register multiple teams under your workplace, and have access to your workplace leaderboard to see the progress of other teams and individuals. There's nothing like a little bit of friendly competition!
You will also have access to some workplace resources that will help you and your colleagues promote the challenge. Click here for more information.
Otherwise, if you and your colleagues only have one team participating you can simply register as a team rather than a workplace.
What's the benefit of registering a workplace?
It’s the perfect opportunity for your staff to get away from the screens, get active and improve overall health and wellbeing. You could organise lunch runs, walking meetings, or fitness sessions via zoom. It’s your Charge and your choice.
Create teams within your workplace by department, unit, or branch to get some friendly competition between colleagues happening!
The March Charge is an online, personal fitness challenge so colleagues working from home, the office, interstate or even abroad can all get involved.
Fundraising
Where does my fundraising money go?
The funds you raise through your challenge go directly to Cancer Council to help fund our work to create a cancer free future. To find out more, check out the About page.
Fundraising finishes by the end of April, so there is still time after you complete your challenge to collect any final donations.
Should I use the Facebook Donate fundraising option?
You can create a Facebook fundraiser by clicking the "Create a Facebook Fundraiser" button in your dashboard! This way your fundraising from Facebook will contribute to your overall total on your page.
Please note: These donations will appear on your March Charge page as 'Facebook donation' and will not show the name of your supporter. You can view all your Facebook donations on your Facebook page to see who has supported you.
Do you have a Facebook group that I can join?
Absolutely, you can join our March Chargers Facebook group by clicking here. Connect with other Chargers and meet amazing people just like you! You will also be the first to hear about some exciting prizes and competitions coming up!
How do I fundraise on Instagram?
Unfortunately fundraisers created on Instagram won't sync to your online fundraising page, so we recommend sticking to Facebook to create a fundraiser on your social pages.
You can however simply copy and paste your fundraising page URL to your Instagram bio link, so when you post updates about your Charge with your friends on Instagram you can direct them to your bio. This will easily take them to your page to support you!
How do I share my fundraising page link?
An easy way to share your fundraising page is to log in to your dashboard and click the 'shared on social' icon. Another easy way to do this is to click on our 'Get Sponsors' tab that will lead you to an email we've written for you.
Check out our guide on how to ask for donations, it has some handy email and social media copy for you to use.
How do I collect donations?
Donations can be made through your fundraising page. Simply send the link to your friends, family and colleagues to sponsor your efforts. Cash donations can be collected and deposited into the Cancer Council bank account. Contact us for more details.
Are donations tax-deductible?
Yes, all donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.
I need help with my fundraising.
Not a problem! We'll be with you every step of the way with some top tips. You can also check out our Tips and Tools page to help you boost your fundraising, or the 'Resources' tab in your dashboard.
Are there any prizes or rewards for fundraising this year?
You bet! Become a Diamond Charger by raising $1000 and you'll score a FREE personalised Diamond Charger t-shirt.
No good deed goes unrewarded, each week in March we'll have some awesome rewards and prizes up for grabs for our fundraisers. Watch this space!
Fitness Activity
How do I track kilometres when I Charge?
Any GPS enabled devices like fitness wristbands or watches (think Fitbit, Garmin etc) will do the trick. We have linked up with Strava, Fitbit and mapmyfitness to automatically sync with your fundraising page and add to your kilometres each time you record an activity.
If you’re not already connected with these devices, you can always use your Smartphone and download Strava, Fitbit or mapmyfitness to get started.
Once installed and your account has been created with your preferred app, login to your The March Charge profile page and head to the 'My Fitness Activity' tab. Here you can now connect up to your preferred fitness app. Click on the icon of the app you'd like to connect - this will ask you to login and authorise us to access your fitness account.
You're now connected!
When using your fitness app, remember to create a new activity through your app and stop when you're finished each time - this will ensure your kilometres are recorded onto your The March Charge page.
You can also manually add an activity through the 'My Fitness Activity' tab too.
We have a handy step by step guide that can assist you with this, which is also available in your dashboard under 'Resources'.
I just recorded an activity from the GPS device but it’s not showing on my profile?
Activity from the fitness apps comes through the following day so please allow 24hrs for your walk or run.
How do I track my kilometres with Fitbit?
Tracking your kilometres with Fitbit is easy.
Login to your The March Charge profile page and head to the 'My Fitness Activity' tab. Here you can connect up to your preferred fitness app. Click on the Fitbit icon - this will ask you to login and authorise us to access your fitness account.
Please note you must record an “activity" with your Fitbit in order for it to contribute to your kilometres.
My activity is not appearing on my page. What do I do?
If your activity is not appearing on your dashboard, please follow these steps.
- Make sure your device is synced with your The March Charge dashboard
- Start and Stop each activity from your app
- Allow 24 hours for your activity to appear on your dashboard
If your activity is not appearing, you can manually add your hours and KMs via the My Fitness Activity tab on your dashboard.
Can I walk or run on a treadmill?
Of course!
If the great outdoors isn’t your thing and you’d prefer to hit the gym, that’s fine! Just remember to take note of how many kilometres you clock up each session and update the counter on your dashboard page.
The added bonus of a treadmill is that a rainy day won’t get in the way!
Can I cycle, swim, or do another activity?
You certainly can! You can walk, run, or move your way to raise funds to end cancer. Simply click here to register and keep your eyes peeled for instructions on how to set a goal and update your story so you can let your sponsors know how you are going to Charge this March!
Merchandise
Do you have any t-shirts available to purchase?
Yes we do! Click here to buy one of our March Charge t-shirts.
Or you can score a FREE personalised t-shirt by becoming a Diamond Charger and raising $1000.
How do I know if I was one of the first 3000 Chargers to register? When can I expect to receive my free March Charge shirt?
All eligible participants will be sent an email confirming their eligibility for this prize. Shirts will be posted to eligible Chargers in February, we thank you for your patience.
Note: You will need to opt-in to receive a shirt during registration by selecting your size! If your size is not available due to limited stock, you will be given the size above.
Other
How do I reset my password?
To reset your password, click the Forgot Password link on the login screen and follow the prompts.
If you are having trouble receiving the reset email here are some helpful tips:
- Add themarchcharge@nswcc.org.au to your contacts list
- Check your junk or spam folders and update settings
- Contact us via email at themarchcharge@nswcc.org.au or call 1300 811 248 and we can reset your password for you.
How do I change who I am 'Charging in honour of' on my fundraising page?
Click here to contact us and we'll do it for you.
How do I change the number of years I've been Charging on my fundraising page?
Click here to contact us and we'll do it for you.
I need more info!
No worries, that’s what we’re here for! Feel free to contact us via e-mail at themarchcharge@nswcc.org.au or call 1300 811 248.
Or have you joined our March Chargers Facebook group? Connect with other Chargers and meet amazing people just like you! These guys are March Charge pros and are happy to help you out with any questions you might have too.
1300 811 248
CONTACT US
