Unprecedented 4000km Olympic Torch Charity Triathlon - Amnesty Page

Thank-you for taking the time to look over our event to raise money for two stunning causes; Alex Hutchinson and I are over the 40 days of Lent this year not giving up chocolate, cake or caffeine but instead travelling across Europe self supported on the adventure of a lifetime. Starting in Athens, Greece and cycling, rowing and running our way back home to London we will be celebrating the natural, historical and cultural beauty of the regions we pass through, the coming of the Olympics to Great Britain, the work of the charities we are fundraising for (Macmillan Cancer Support and Amnesty International) and the “citizens of this world”; the people that Alex and I meet along the way, those that follow us, those that inspire us to continue and those that support us. Macmillan and Amnesty need our support.

 

-Background

In 2009, at the age of 15, I walked 1235 miles off-road from Land’s End to John o’Groats in 63 days for charity and became the youngest person to walk that distance on their own. Now, 18, together with my good friend Alex, 19, in 2012 we intend to undertake a challenge double that distance and aim to complete it over the 40 days of Lent 2012 to celebrate the coming of the Olympics from Greece to London! We intend to undertake this again for Macmillan Cancer Support, a phenomenal cause, for their Centenary and for Amnesty International, a worldwide defender of human rights, for their Golden Jubilee. 

 

Our Challenge

 This  4000-plus km triathlon (2760km cycling, 800km running and 440km rowing), will be unprecedented, with such triathlon distances not being covered self-supported before. The actual Olympic torch will be lit at Temple of Hera in Olympia, Greece on the 18th May and will be flown to England by plane. We intend to bring another representative Olympic torch to England from the same temple via a 4000km triathlon one month earlier. Along with two flags (the Union Flag and the European Flag) and all our necessary gear. 

 

Why Macmillan and Amnesty

 The work Macmillan does can only he described as phenomenal. Having heard first and third hand stories by those afflicted by cancer and by those working in the medical profession, my respect for the brave men and women who work for Macmillan to make the lives’ of those affected by cancer better, goes up consistently. Similarly, Amnesty are a phenomenal charity, striving to protect human rights around the world, even if a cause is seen to be unpopular. In all our lives we experience breaches of human rights, either directly or someone we love, so protecting and enforcing those rights is something we should all support.  In 2011 Macmillan and Amnesty celebrated their 100 year and 50 year, respectively. To celebrate the anniversaries of these two most worthy charities, I didn’t think it gave them proper credit just to do something to the same level of intensity as my previous challenge or even something twice as hard; only something at least four times as hard would be fitting to what they do, the impact they have and the respect and admiration they deserve.

About Macmillan

 “Our professionals are specialists in their area of cancer care and leaders in their field. They provide vital support from the time someone suspects they have cancer to when they no longer want our help. Key facts

 

    Macmillan has 4,132 health and social care professionals.

    Macmillan nurses helped 352,000 people in 2008.

    Macmillan doctors helped 11,000 people in 2008.

    Our other healthcare professionals, including radiographers, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, dieticians and psychologists, helped 69,000 people in 2008.”

 (Macmillan’s Information and support for people affected by cancer fact sheet)

 

About Amnesty

 “At the heart of Amnesty International is this idea: that we are at our most powerful when we stand together for human rights. We work together in many different ways, so that all our supporters can be involved, wherever they live and whatever their age, background or skills.

Our movement is driven by our members, supporters, our more than 1,800 staff members and hundreds of volunteers around the world.

Together we campaign to:

 

    defend freedom of expression

    protect women’s rights

    abolish the death penalty

    demand justice for crimes against humanity

    demand corporate accountability where companies have abused people’s rights”

 (› Home › Who We Are › About Amnesty International › About Amnesty International)

 

Every penny donated through this site will go directly to Macmillan Cancer Support.

 

To find out more visit:

http://twitter.com/TorchTriathlon

http://TorchTriathlon.com/

http://www.youtube.com/TorchTriathlon

 

 or contact us at:

Admin@TorchTrithalon.com

 

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me; Macmillan Cancer Support gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid is added to your donation.

 

Everyone that donates will recieve a code from us through JustGiving to thank them for their support! The code will give a 20% discount off the documentary and other merchandise and acces to hours of other footage on the donaters' section of the website (www.TorchTriathlon.com), when active!

If you would prefer to sponsor us by JustGivingText:

Text "EURO99" plus amount (up to £10) to 70070

Again, thank-you so much for donating- as kindly donations not only improve the lives of those suffering with cancer and their families' but it also makes the event truly worthwhile and helps us to push that extra bit harder.

 

Nick Howden-Steensta,

Alex Hutchinson.