Okay, let's not mess about with pre-amble and context. This new approach to the blog is supposed to be more punchy; more direct; more ..... hmm I'm pre-ambling again aren't I?!
Drum roll please, because the world just started to raise its collective brow.
And I mean 'the world' (hopefully).
1. Less than two weeks to go to the Thames 100km Row.
So two boats of 6 rowing beginners are just about ready to take on a VERY long adventure, and one that our backs, chests, shoulders, legs and bottoms won't thank us for. We got a taster for the rowing last Saturday, when we spent nearly 5 hours on the water (click on the link below to watch our mini-adventure):
On May 2nd and 3rd 2015, we'll be setting off on what promises to be a total of over 14 hours of rowing. Not that much you say? Hardly worth getting out of bed for?? It would be harder to jog a 10km fun-run dressed as Batman???
Okay maybe I'll give you that last one, but this is going to be another epic challenge and, as with my other significant adventures, yes; there's a 'flag'. This one is #ontheflag3 and the design is complete. Thank you to everyone who donated (or has yet to donate) to go on it, and to Rullion ITP for sponsoring the event.
It's already helped 12 guys raise over £20 000 for a variety of charities, and here's a wonderful bonus for the Candlelighters Trust. A donor (who wishes to remain anonymous) has made the following fantastic offer:
"Any new donations to Candlelighters, in support of this event, will be match funded (up to an overall total of £2000)."
I'm still stunned by the offer and would ask ANYONE who wants to respond to this to get in touch with me, or Candlelighters, to find out how to make a donation that qualifies. No single donation can be more than £250 and, as I said, the match funding is to a maximum overall total of £2000.
2. Planning ahead
While the preparation and intermittent training is under way for the above (and while working full-time and starting a new adventure ... see '3' below), I'm delighted to say I already have 10 people signed up to join me on a 5-day iconic trek across some of the Great Wall of China, in October 2016.
It may not be that long in distance, but the trek lead we used for the Sahara said it's every bit as physically demanding, given the inclines we'll face (the photo just shows where the steps are easy). If you suffer from vertigo, forget it, as mush of the route is over broken steps and sometimes without side walls.
It's a Saturday to the following Sunday event (so just one week required off work), and if you'd like to know more; check out this link.
3. Race 48 - what's that all about then?
I don't intend to bore you with details, but there's a new idea I'm cultivating with a number of friends and business acquaintances who have expressed more than a passing interest. It's called Race 48! The pitch to my home city of Leeds in February was:
Imagine:
- 50 pieces of exercise equipment (30 cycles, 10 rowing machines and 10 cross-trainers/treadmills) are placed in Victoria Gardens (below).
- The city of Leeds is challenged to row, cycle and walk around the 24 908 miles world within 48 hours, in support of a number of local charities.
- The event will be a festival of travel, culture, overseas cuisine and exercise for all ages and capabilities. Health would be a key theme!
- Citizens, businesses, clubs and societies all join in, to help complete the challenge; donating £10 per hour to use a piece of equipment.
- Overnight the challenge continues in the safety and security of gym.
Audacious? Yes (what's the point of doing something if it's not??)
Unique? We believe it is !!
Guaranteed to succeed? Hell no (what's the point of doing something if it??)
Interesting concept that can raise £000's and £000's for local charities? You tell me. Feedback is definitely appreciated on this one! Watch this space for more news over the coming months, as we go through the highs and lows of trying to get this off the ground.
It's caught the imagination of 2 cities already and we (the team) intend to trial it this year, before a wider roll-out next year. Friday the 8th of May is the next big step (or stumble) in this particular journey so - as promised in a previous blog - I'll share the journey with you.
In the meantime, keep your eyes on Race48.com (or @Race48Challenge on Twitter).
And with that, I'm going to write the brief for the telemarketing team to see how the idea grabs local businesses. I'll tell you more soon. Enjoy your week.
Drum roll please, because the world just started to raise its collective brow.
And I mean 'the world' (hopefully).
1. Less than two weeks to go to the Thames 100km Row.
So two boats of 6 rowing beginners are just about ready to take on a VERY long adventure, and one that our backs, chests, shoulders, legs and bottoms won't thank us for. We got a taster for the rowing last Saturday, when we spent nearly 5 hours on the water (click on the link below to watch our mini-adventure):
On May 2nd and 3rd 2015, we'll be setting off on what promises to be a total of over 14 hours of rowing. Not that much you say? Hardly worth getting out of bed for?? It would be harder to jog a 10km fun-run dressed as Batman???
Okay maybe I'll give you that last one, but this is going to be another epic challenge and, as with my other significant adventures, yes; there's a 'flag'. This one is #ontheflag3 and the design is complete. Thank you to everyone who donated (or has yet to donate) to go on it, and to Rullion ITP for sponsoring the event.
It's already helped 12 guys raise over £20 000 for a variety of charities, and here's a wonderful bonus for the Candlelighters Trust. A donor (who wishes to remain anonymous) has made the following fantastic offer:
"Any new donations to Candlelighters, in support of this event, will be match funded (up to an overall total of £2000)."
I'm still stunned by the offer and would ask ANYONE who wants to respond to this to get in touch with me, or Candlelighters, to find out how to make a donation that qualifies. No single donation can be more than £250 and, as I said, the match funding is to a maximum overall total of £2000.
2. Planning ahead
While the preparation and intermittent training is under way for the above (and while working full-time and starting a new adventure ... see '3' below), I'm delighted to say I already have 10 people signed up to join me on a 5-day iconic trek across some of the Great Wall of China, in October 2016.
It may not be that long in distance, but the trek lead we used for the Sahara said it's every bit as physically demanding, given the inclines we'll face (the photo just shows where the steps are easy). If you suffer from vertigo, forget it, as mush of the route is over broken steps and sometimes without side walls.
3. Race 48 - what's that all about then?
I don't intend to bore you with details, but there's a new idea I'm cultivating with a number of friends and business acquaintances who have expressed more than a passing interest. It's called Race 48! The pitch to my home city of Leeds in February was:
Imagine:
- 50 pieces of exercise equipment (30 cycles, 10 rowing machines and 10 cross-trainers/treadmills) are placed in Victoria Gardens (below).
- The city of Leeds is challenged to row, cycle and walk around the 24 908 miles world within 48 hours, in support of a number of local charities.
- The event will be a festival of travel, culture, overseas cuisine and exercise for all ages and capabilities. Health would be a key theme!
- Citizens, businesses, clubs and societies all join in, to help complete the challenge; donating £10 per hour to use a piece of equipment.
- Overnight the challenge continues in the safety and security of gym.
- Every
5 minutes, the plasma screen in the Square would show cumulative progress on a
world map; interspersed with paid adverts.
- And
when we’ve done it, we’ll say “Hey Manchester; think you can do better?”
Audacious? Yes (what's the point of doing something if it's not??)
Unique? We believe it is !!
Guaranteed to succeed? Hell no (what's the point of doing something if it??)
Interesting concept that can raise £000's and £000's for local charities? You tell me. Feedback is definitely appreciated on this one! Watch this space for more news over the coming months, as we go through the highs and lows of trying to get this off the ground.
It's caught the imagination of 2 cities already and we (the team) intend to trial it this year, before a wider roll-out next year. Friday the 8th of May is the next big step (or stumble) in this particular journey so - as promised in a previous blog - I'll share the journey with you.
In the meantime, keep your eyes on Race48.com (or @Race48Challenge on Twitter).
And with that, I'm going to write the brief for the telemarketing team to see how the idea grabs local businesses. I'll tell you more soon. Enjoy your week.
