Josef Woodward is fundraising for The Elifar Foundation

The Elifar Foundation Polar Challenge

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Raising money for

The Elifar Foundation

Charity Registration No. 1072874

The Elifar Foundation aims to help improve the quality of life of disabled children and adults by making grants for specialised equipment, therapies and respite, which cannot be funded by statutory means.

Page owner

Josef Woodward

Page closes

21/04/2010

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Raised: 48%

Target: £20,000.00
Raised so far: £9,623.00

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My story

Dear friends,

I always knew that trying to cross the Greenland icecap on foot was going to be a challenge, but – despite all the planning and training – nothing could have prepared us for what actually transpired out there on the ice.

The early stages of the journey went well, despite temperatures as low as minus 30^oC and winds of around 80mph. However, with the majority of the uphill section of the trek completed (around 175km into the 550km trek) and with the start of the longer but easier downhill section almost within sight, one of our team fell seriously ill.

The polar ice cap is a beautiful but dangerous and unforgiving environment – it’s certainly not a good place to be unless you are in the peak of health.

Because we were already so far onto the icecap, we were unable to get a helicopter to come in and airlift our comrade to safety. As a result, we were left with no choice but to ski with him back the way we had come until we reached the heli drop off point where we had started our trek. This was a slow and arduous task. And, then we had to wait for a good fly day for the helicopter to get in. As a result the expedition had to be aborted.

Our teammate is now recovering. And, although my first attempt to complete the Colman Architects Elifar Polar Challenge was unsuccessful, it did prove to be one of the most exhilarating, demanding, exciting and difficult experiences of my life. And, with my wife’s permission, I am already in discussion with the expedition organisers about a second attempt in April next year (2010), which would once again be in aid of The Elifar Foundation.

I would like to thank Colman Architects for its generous sponsorship of the Polar Challenge, which made the whole trip possible.

May I also thank you all for your very kind support and if you do wish to contact me, please feel free to e-mail: j.woodward661@btinternet.com.

Joe Woodward

	Happy to support this beautiful cause! Way to go, Joe. "God created human beings in his own image." (Gen 1:27) Donation by Christine 01/07/09
	Well done. We are all proud of you Donation by Blairs and Matthews families (cousins) 13/05/09	£78.00
	A fantastic cause! Donation by Lucy Parker 23/04/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	A great cause - well done. Donation by Simon Frost 20/04/09	£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid
	Good luck from a BNI'er. Donation by Keith Walker 20/04/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Good luck Donation by Gary Fletcher 20/04/09	£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid
	What a nice wife you have. I would scream if my husband came up with such an idea - but it is as you say for a great cause! Fantastic! Donation by Kristine Angeby (Pearson) 14/04/09	£20.00
	Donations kindly received from those who attended the RLI Mix event in Wimbledon Donation by Colman Architects 14/04/09	£242.00
	Good Luck Donation by Matthew Howard 14/04/09	£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid
	Great achievement! Donation by Jane and Jon Wynne 14/04/09	£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid
	What an amazing challenge and a great charity too! Donation by Zoe Botterill 14/04/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Good luck from your cousin in Oz!! Donation by Liz Edgerton 14/04/09	£40.00
	Amazing, enjoy if that's possible! Donation by Liz Sproat 10/04/09	£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid
	Truly admirable! Donation by Catherine Mead 09/04/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	It warms my heart ,to see you so cold ,for such a good cause. Donation by Marcus Kilby 09/04/09	£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid
	What a wonderful charity and what an amazing gift youre giving them - a real role model for what's important in life Donation by Sarah Phillipson and Simon Ross 09/04/09	£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid
	good luck and best wishes Donation by Mike Blinco 09/04/09	£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid
	Best of luck Donation by John Strachan 08/04/09	£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid
	good luck Donation by andrew haughey 08/04/09	£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid
	Good Luck Donation by Peter Cole 08/04/09	£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid
	Good Luck Donation by Nick Stonley 08/04/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Good luck! Donation by Helen Miller (Pearson) 08/04/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Truly inspirational Joe! Donation by Fiona & Mike Done 08/04/09	£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid
	Good luck Donation by Martin Hill 08/04/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Thanks for agreeing to halve you fees Trevor ...for all clients for ever more!! Donation by StefanoJaffola 07/04/09	£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid
	O.K., you can go but mind and wrap up and keep warm - somehow!! Best of luck brave man. Donation by James Simpson 07/04/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Good luck with this fantastic challenge! Donation by Julie Dunthorne 07/04/09	£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid
	Good Luck Donation by John Griffin 07/04/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Good cause, good luck! Donation by Subjit Jassy 06/04/09	£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid
	What an adventure! Best of Luck. From one of Fran's best employees!! ;-) Donation by Rich Burn 06/04/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

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* Total raised online:	£4,623.00
Offline donations:	£5,000.00
Gift Aid plus supplement:	£1,049.23

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