First Ride, Big Impact: A Ride for Refuge Partner Success Story

A community united to support newcomers, turning a fundraising effort into a powerful movement of generosity, unity, and lasting impact.

Blue Sea Foundation • February 27, 2025

Newsletter

Subscribe and stay up to date on all things peer-to-peer fundraising.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

When a community rallies around a cause, incredible things happen. The South Essex Community Council (SECC) has spent over 50 years supporting newcomers and refugees. When a critical gap in mental health support emerged, they took action, bringing people together to make a difference with the Ride for Refuge. What started as an initiative to raise funds quickly became a powerful movement of generosity, unity, and hope.

Here’s the story of their success, hosting RIDE for the first time:


With the right support from the Blue Sea Foundation, a seemingly overwhelming effort became a seamless, community-driven effort, showing yet again the power of people coming together for good.

The Ride for Refuge is more than just an event; it’s a chance to be part of something bigger, to make a tangible difference in the lives of people seeking hope, safety, and freedom. Learn more about the RIDE and how your charity can get involved.

Related Articles

person thinking about fundraising event formats from golf tournament to raffle to gala and walkathon.

The Three Models Behind Every Fundraising Event, And What Yours Might Be Costing You

Most charity fundraising calendars are built from a predictable menu of event options: a gala, a golf tournament, a 5K, maybe an auction. These formats

Blue Sea Foundation • April 27, 2026

Young professional on laptop thinking about donor communications

What Your Donors Are Really Thinking (And Will Never Tell You)

Your donors aren’t thinking about you.Not in the way you think they are, anyway. They’re thinking about the people begging for change downtown, or the

Blue Sea Foundation • April 23, 2026

keep or kill article header image

Keep or Kill? 10 Warning Signs Your Fundraising Event May Have Run Its Course

If you’ve ever helped run a fundraising event, you know it’s not for the faint of heart. Months of planning, sponsor relationships to manage, volunteers

Blue Sea Foundation • March 24, 2026

Your Go-To Guide to P2P Fundraising Events

How to build, strengthen, and scale your next in-person event.

  • Why P2P fundraising works
  • Is It the right fit for you?
  • What great events have in common
  • Roadmap to P2P event success
Download the Free Guide

Got Questions about The Grand Parade?

Wondering if The Grand Parade is right for your charity? Join a live Zoom call to learn more about this year’s campaign.

  • Live Experts
  • Free Advice
  • No Pressure
Register to Join

Curious About RIDE 2025?

Wondering if the Ride for Refuge is right for your charity? Join a live Zoom call to learn more about this year’s campaign.

  • Live Experts
  • Free Advice
  • No Pressure
Register to Join

Get Your Questions Answered 

Wondering if the Ride for Refuge or The Grand Parade is right for your charity? Join a live Zoom call to get all the details for a 2025 campaign.

  • Live Experts
  • Free Advice
  • No Pressure
Register to Join