Please Note: My Event date is 7th March NOT 2nd February...still plenty time to sponsor me folks!

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. I'm taking part in the CA Costa Rica Coast to Coast Challenge in March 2008, (not 2nd February as it says at the top of this page) a tough and competitive team challenge to raise money for the Prince's Trust and would really welcome your support. I will be treking, cycling, kayaking and white-water rafting over 8 consecutive days, for 8 hours a day, and will be covering a distance of over 250 kilometers from sea level to over 2500 meters altitude. In fact, I will be crossing from one coast of Costa Rica to the other.

This is no mean feat, and a terrific personal challenge, to improve my fitness and stamina, and overall health. It is also however a challenge in another way. I am required to raise £3,000 sponsorship money in support of the Prince's Trust by the 11th of January. And this is how you can help me.

Please take a moment to sponsor me. It's really easy - you can donate online by credit or debit card now. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Prince's Trust will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

If you are a CA employee, please please donate the equivalent of more than $10 US here first then click on http://matchinggifts.ca.com so that CA can match your contribution. If you are a CA employee, please do not forget to do this!!!

So please sponsor me now!
Many thanks for your support. Now you can read more about the challenge and my online diary below:

Training Diary

CA Challenge Costa Rica Coast to Coast

November 2007 - I have started at the gym daily and plan to build up my training for the remaining weeks and months (not that there are many left!) My main concern is not with fitness because I fully believe I will be able to work up to an acceptable fitness to undertake the challenge, but raising the £3K or more is where my focus really lies... I've got some ideas and I am putting some of them into practice without further delay, but if you have any other great sponsorship ideas please do not hesitate to contact me privately on brian.n.waters@btinternet.com. Thanks for reading and do please drop back when you have time as I will be updating my page.

December 2007 - I started the month with an awful cold and this stopped me from putting a lot of effort into the gym but I am back on my feet, back on the treadmill and bike every day and will soon be taking my new exercising regime out onto the open road. Stopped smoking at the beginning of December which was an incredible start, and one very positive outcome already from this big decision. So if you haven't already sponsored me please sponsor me now. (And if you are CA employee please don't forget to follow the link to matchinggifts.ca.com so that CA matches your donation 100%.)

6th December - ok here's some more news for the CA folks - I'm getting together with Adi and Dean and we're going to hold a Used Book Sale, (proceeds going to Prince's Trust of course) so we need books in good condition that you don't need any more. We will sell them in the Foyer on 19th and 20th or 21st of December , so we need your books by the 18th. Drop them off at desk Number 2F51 in carrier bags please or if you need some help with them call me on extension 22385.

January 2008 -  Typipcal Christmas and New Year - too much going on to do "proper" training - but did some walking and cycling all the same. I am helping Frank with the Car Washes later this week. We are washing CA cars in the carpark for a £10 premium, and are also collecting loose change at the cafeteria. There will be more book sales at the end of January so keep the books coming - DESK 2F51. Apart from that I am writing to local companies with sponsorship requests and also looking at doing something big in February... watch this space. Thanks to all of those who have donated online it's great to hear from some of you guys after so long....

9th January - Woo Hoo! Today I reached the 50% sponsorship midpoint, and along with the monies from CA Matching Gifts program, where CA matches the donations of CA people 100%, I believe this means that I have now qualified to be able to go on the challenge. I will be confirming this within the week. BUT THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT FUNDRAISING STOPS HERE! I still have to raise the full £3000, and I will keep you posted as to my progress. So for now as the New Year gets into full swing, it's back to some serious training and considering what is needed from the kit list. Oh and yes,... I promised myself I would get a new photograph for this site, one with me in it probably on my bike, so I will see what I can do this weekend.

11th January  - Success ! Just! I just managed to get through the intermediate fundraising point (11th january) with sufficient monies raised to proceed. Now I need to focus again on the training but also not forget that the reminder still needs to be raised before I go. Please also note that fundraising continues during the event and afterwards until April.... even if I have acjhieved the required amount I will not be stopping.

January 20th - I have organised a Valentine's Disco to be held in the Riverbank Brasserie and Club in Caversham Reading. it will actually be held in the downstairs disco area, with the bigger bar and automatic lights etc., so very pleased with the venue.

There is space down there I am told for 200 people but for safety and comfort sake, 120 tickets have been produced for the night. Tickets can be purchased for £5.00 each and if you email me, then I will reserve your tickets. If you see me before 8th February, please pay methe money for the tickets otherwise I will see you at the door to collect the money which will be going to the Prince's Trust.  Some of the proceeds will go to the DJ but his fees have been reduced since it is a charity event, and we have a fantastic professional disco kit which has been donated free of charge. The ticket gets you one free entry into  a prize draw for which we currently have four prizes:

Bottle of Champagne

Costa Rican Coffee

Voucher for a free Scuba Diving Lesson (worth £25)

Champneys illuminated face mirror (worth £40)

70 tickets sold so far so now is the time to get your babysitter organised and take the woman (or man) in your life out for a good old Latin fiesta! Lots of authentic dance music from a real south american DJ, with a fantastic authentic atmosphere provided by everyone who is coming... most of whom are latin american - so expect some serious sounds and some serious salsa, merengue and regeton! Please Note the club has a strict over 21's policy so dont bring the kids!

Finally got round to updating my photo - proves I actually own a bike at the very least! 

It is now estimated that over 140 people will be attending what looks set to be a fantastic night. Friday 8th February 9pm at the Riverside Brasserie (remember we are in the Club downstairs not in the Brasserie as it says on the tickets. The DJ, the venue, the equipment, the people, the support, the flowers, the balloons, the dancing, the music, the lights, the bar and the location, not to mention the atmosphere. It's going to be a great night, so make sure you are there! And now I found out 20 people want to pay on the door,...so thats now 160! Bailamos!

February:                   

On Friday 8th February in the Riverbank Club, Caversham, Reading we had a very successful Costa Rica! Valentine's Disco to raise sponsorship in support of The Prince's Trust. I can tell you now that this event on its own has raised over £1200 for charity (costs deducted). This is absolutley fantastic and I am indebted to everyone who helped to make this happen.

The staff and management at the Riverbank Club,

DJ Jorge Bedoya,

DJ Steve The Iceman,

Rosi and Dario for selling so many tickets to their friends at FW,

everyone else who sold tickets (and you know who you are),

Paul and Dean taking time out of their hectic training schedules to attend as well,

those who donated flowers (www.eliteflowercompany.com) and prizes (Frank and Anne) for the raffle,

and those who simply dropped a few coins into the pots on the night.

Thank you all very much for your support. The night was so vibrant and enjoyed by all that a large number of the 170 people who attended expressed a desire to hold them on a weekly basis! (gulp!?)