Raised so far: £1,315.00
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My story

 
I am taking part in the Atacama Crossing 2009 race starting on 29th March 2009 and am raising money for Friends of Colombia for Social Change, a UK charity which provides shelter and homes to street-children in Bogota.

The Race:  The Atacama Crossing is a 250km self-supported race on foot through the Atacama desert in northern Chile. The race is split into 6 stages which take place over 7 days.  Each individual must carry his or her own gear, food and clothing - the only assistance provided is water, tents and medical assistance.  The course starts at an altitude of around 3,000m.  There are 4 consecutive stages of just over 40km, a very long day of nearly 75km, followed by the final 10 or so km being completed on the final 6th stage.  The total course distance is equivalent to a horizontal crossing of Chile itself, from coast to border, and the whole race will take place at more than 1 mile above sea level.  The race has been named as the second hardest endurance race in the world by Time Magazine earlier this year (beaten by the Dakar Rally)

The Location: The Atacama desert is the driest place on earth.  It is a rainless plateau made up of salt lakes, lava flows and sand. In some places no human has ever recorded a single drop of rain and there are dry river beds that have not seen water in 120,000 years.  The day time temperatures expected may exceed 32° C (90° F) while night time temperatures may drop to below 16° C (61° F) or lower.

For those who have seen the latest James Bond film, Quantum of Solace, much of the final drama was filmed in the Atacama desert (supposedly Bolivia), and you will have an idea of its stark beauty and isolation. One of my aims is not to end up like the villain at the end of that film, alone in the middle of the Atacama desert with only a can of motor oil to drink….

The Charity:  Money raised by me will be going towards equipment for a specific orphanage in Bogota, run by Father Ray, a priest who was very supportive of the family when my father-in-law was kidnapped by the FARC in 2005 ( see press report and a link to his book), also supported by my parents-in-law who live in Bogota.  The home, called Hogar Santa Rita, is for children who have very severe medical and cogntive problems. Most of them are unable to do anything for themseves, many have limited movement requiring a great deal of physiotherapy. The people in charge keep the children and the place very clean and cheerful, and make the life of the children in their charge immeasurably better.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Friends of Colombia for Social Aid gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor me now!

Am so impressed Tim, well done. A huge achievement and a great cause. Well done! Donation by Olivia 28/04/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Next time try a serious challenge :) Donation by John Hutchinson 21/04/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good luck Tim!! Donation by Gino & Ginny del Rosario 01/04/09  

£50.00

I am very impressed. lots of love and luck cx Donation by Charlotte Cooper-Evans 24/03/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

keep that hat on Donation by gwilym & laure 23/03/09  

£50.00

Go for it! Donation by Shiv & Ollie 22/03/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

May you have the wind at your heels and fire in your heart. Go forth and conquer. Tim. Donation by rachel and matt 22/03/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

You should get a nice tan! Donation by Jamie Harvey 20/03/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Best of luck ... but it does not change the fact that you are totally crazy! Donation by James Maconochie 20/03/09  

£100.00

I was put off by your picture but have come round! Donation by Andrew Caplan 20/03/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good luck Tim. Awesome stuff you are doing. Can't wait to hear the reports at the other end. Donation by Liz Clancy 19/03/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Glorified rambling - but a great cause Donation by Paul W 17/03/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Best of luck, hope you make it back to Bs As! Donation by Paul L 16/03/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Does this qualify for the "Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the mid day sun" Award? Donation by Tony Keen 13/03/09  

£150.00

Best of luck for, what seems, a true test of endurance Donation by Roger & Mo Wheatley 12/03/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

A great cause! Donation by Margarita & David 12/03/09  

£40.00

Please arrange for someone to remove your skeleton. Can't have litter in the Atacama Donation by El padrino 10/03/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Respect! Donation by David & Gill 10/03/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

rather you than me mate Donation by Guy Farmer 10/03/09  

£50.00

You're certainly looking the part. But is the facial hair strictly necessary, or should I be sponsoring that as well? Donation by Ed Woodcock 09/03/09  

£40.00 + £11.28 Gift Aid

Wear a big hat Donation by Willy Wise & Valerie W ynn-Williams 08/03/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

nutter Donation by Alex K 04/03/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

You are totally insane - but then we all knew that. Don't forget to pick up a few bottles of Chilean Merlot for me on the way round - heard its fab! Donation by Crispin 04/03/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

You madman! Still, it's a worthy cause. Hope you enjoy it, if that's possible, but perhaps that's not the point. Much love from all of us. Donation by Claire, Robert & Alice 26/02/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Buen suerte! Donation by Graciela Zubasti 26/02/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good Luck! Hope to see you in B.A. Donation by Mike & Maggie Ward 26/02/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

seeing you in lycra will be reward enough for many, but - to give you the incentive you might just need , this is only if you finish (probably) Donation by Dave de LM 24/02/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Congratulations on your wonderful initiative to do this crossing and also to dedicate your sponsoroship to a Charity so close to my heart. Good luck. Donation by Amanda Ardila 20/02/09  

£50.00

Provided you finish, which you will of course. I'm very humbled. Donation by Helen Whately 20/02/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck Tim. This really is a fantastic effort and will be a great achievement Donation by Toby 19/02/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
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* Total raised online: £1,215.00
  Offline donations: £100.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £204.49

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