Story
<p><strong>The One Million Metre Challenge</strong></p>
<p>Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page.</p>
<p>So what is this any why are we doing it ?</p>
<p><strong>What is it ?</strong></p>
<p>Beginning on 3 January 2011 we are planning to row a total of 1,000,000 metres (1000 km) between us on the rowing machines in the JCB gym. We have given ourselves until Xmas 2011 to complete the challenge. Each session will be verified and timed and our statistics added together. When we reach the One Million Metre mark we will know to the nearest second how long it has taken us. The target is to complete it in under 5000 minutes (one kilometre every 5 minutes). By the time we finish we will have rowed the equivalent of John O'Groats to Lands End as the crow flies (or rows!)</p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Why are we doing it ?</span></strong></p>
<p>All the money raised will go to the NSPCC "Reaching Out For Children in Staffordshire" Appeal which JCB is supporting as a company. The appeal is to build a centre in Newcastle Under Lyme which will help vulnerable young people at risk of cruelty. It will be an environmentally friendly purpose built centre that will offer all of the NSPCC's specialist services under one roof and will be accessible to every young person across Staffordshire.</p>
<p>JCB is a global company but it's heart and roots are here in Staffordshire.This appeal reaches out directly to vulnerable children in Staffordshire.</p>
<p><strong>Donating</strong></p>
<p>Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.</p>
<p>So please dig deep and donate now.</p>
<p><strong>Star Donations</strong></p>
<p>Beswicks Solictors have sponsored us £0.001 per metre = £1000 on completion of the 1,000,000.</p>
<p>Knights LLP Solicitors have also sponsored us £1000 to complete the challenge</p>
<p>KJD Freeth have also sponsored us £1000 to complete the challenge</p>
<p><strong>Progress Update</strong></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">31 January 2011 : 100,000M</span></p>
<p>We have just completed the first 100,000 metres in 6 hours 55 mins 11 secs. Target time was 8 hours 20 mins for 100,000 metres (25 mins per 5000m). We are currently averaging about 20 mins 50 secs per 5000m. So we are well up on the time and just about on schedule for the distance. Oh and by the way.....it really really hurts !</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">8 March 2011 : 250,000 M</span></p>
<p>We reached 250,000 metres tonight. Total time 17 hours 11 minutes well within our target of 20 hours 50 mins. We have changed tactics recently and switched to 10,000m sessions in lieu of 5000m sessions - less of them but of course longer. Seems to be working. Next update at 500,000 metres (half way house).</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">18 May 2011 : 500,000 M</span></p>
<p>We hit the 500,000 metre mark on Tuesday night so 500 km safely completed. To put it in context this the distance from Glasgow to Bristol as the crow flies. That's the good news - the bad news is we now have to "turn the boat around" and go all the way back again. As you may have guessed these sessions get slotted in after the working day which can challenge the motivation at times. Total time so far is 35 hours 51 mins out of a target time of 41 hours 40 mins so well ahead of the game and ahead of schedule. Next update at 750,000 metres - all being well.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">21 July 2011 : 750,000 M</span></p>
<p>We hit the 750,000 metre mark on 21 July just before the (well earned) JCB 3 week Summer Shutdown - during which not an oar was touched. So we are on the last lap (if you can call 250km a "lap"). Total time so far is 52 hours 2 mins out of a target time of 62 hours 30 mins so still well ahead of the game and ahead of schedule. We are planning doing something special for the last 10km - maybe venturing out of the gym. All suggestions welcome. Likely to be mid October.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">19 September 2011; 900,000M</span></p>
<p>Just moved past the 900,000 metre mark tonight. JCB shutdown next week and so we are looking to finish the challenge second week in October. Further update at 990,000 metres.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">13 October 2011; 990,000M</span></p>
<p>Well folks - all over bar the shouting, as we safely reached 990,000 metres last night. </p>
<p>When we started this challenge on 4 January we set ourselves a target of December 2011 so it's pleasing to finish "early". Our target time was 5000 minutes (83 hours 20 mins). The 990,000 metres have been completed in 4114 mins (68 hours 33 mins 46 secs) so we expect to finish the challenge in about 4154 mins (69 1/4 hours) so well within the target time.</p>
<p>In relation to the last 10k, how we do that is currently under review by JCB Press and PR as it would be nice to get some publicity for NSPCC and the Carole House Appeal. That will be sometime in early November.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">23 November 2011: 1,000,000M Completed</span></p>
<p>The last 10K was knocked of at lunchtime today by the JCB LLake. Photos attached as proof. Thanks agian for all your support. Total raised £5230. Final time was 69 hours 13 minutes 56 seconds.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">A "Big" thank you.</span></p>
<p>To all our sponsors, because we have now reached our target of £5000. We really appreciate the generosity of everyone who has supported us. There have been many evenings when our motivation has been challenged but this target kept us going. It's been extremely hard work but ultimately very rewarding.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Tale of the Tape</span></p>
<p>If you are interested .......... Carl won the race. </p>
<p>He clocked 33:57.11 and I clocked 35:16.43 ..............but I am claiming the handicaps of (1) a substantial age allowance and (2) not being built like Popeye. </p>
<p>Thanks again. Over and out.</p>
<p>Adrian & Carl</p>