Michael Collins's Fundraising Page

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Raising money for

Crisis

Charity Registration No. 1082947

Crisis is the national charity for single homeless people. We are dedicated to ending homelessness by delivering life-changing services and campaigning for change.

Our innovative education, employment, housing and well-being services address individual needs and help people to transform their lives.

We are determined campaigners, working to prevent people from becoming homeless and advocating solutions informed by research and our direct experience.

We have ambitious plans for the future and are committed to help more people in more places across the UK. We know we won’t end homelessness overnight or on our own. But we take a lead, collaborate with others and, together, make change happen.

Page owner

Michael Collins

Page closes

09/04/2010

RSS

Raised: 9%

Target: £11,240.00
Raised so far: £968.00

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My story

One sailor, one boat, one ocean

The Original Single Handed Trans-Atlantic Race (OSTAR) is the world’s oldest solo ocean challenge, dating back to 1960. Founded by ‘cockleshell hero’ Blondie Hasler and first won by the circumnavigation Sir Francis Chichester, the race has upheld its Corinthian roots, providing aspiring professional and amateur sailors with the ultimate challenge

Commencing at 12:00 on the 25th May 2009 from Plymouth and finishing for me some 30-35 (plus) days later at Newport Rhodre Island USA.
This is a personal challenge and this years OSTAR coincides with the thirtieth anniversary of my first Atlantic crossing in a crewed yacht.

Flamingo Lady and I completed the OSTAR2009 in 27 days 4 hours 31 minutes. A welcome to be remembered as it was on Sunday Lunch time with cheers from the tourist schooners, the anchored yachts and cannons from the New York Yacht Club and Newport Yacht Club, plus lots of hooters and sirens from everywhere. A faster trip than expected and a result of third in class, first in class was Will Sayer who was overall winner on handicap.

To be involved in yachting you do not have to be wealthy, and with care sailing can be done on a budget. However with a boat you are homed and roofed.

When you are no longer homed and roofed, life becomes difficult to say the least. No fixed abode means not only a lonely existence but you have no address to use to get benefits, no address to use for job applications, nowhere to keep possessions, and so the downward spiral continues. Homelessness comes for many reasons and is a very difficult situation to escape from.

Crisis has a variety of ways to help the homeless, for instance:-

The Skylight Café is the latest in a series of projects which has been developed by Crisis to help homeless people rebuild their social and practical skills, join the world of work and boost their confidence and self -esteem. The new Crisis Employment Services help get more single homeless people back into meaningful, sustainable employment which will lead to a home, stability and better quality of life. Not just by working with homeless people, but also prospective employers. Crisis Skylights offer a variety of activities for homeless people and the general public. the first Skylight is based at Crisis head office in east London, the second Skylight is in Newcastle, with Oxford and Birmingham to follow.

So we should think of some of those less fortunate than ourselves and help to meet or exceed my target of £4 for every nautical mile sailed.

Please help me to reach my £11,240 target. I pay all the costs of maintaining equipping and racing Flamingo Lady, myself so 100% of donations go direct to CRISIS

Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Crisis 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!

	You're home congratulations! Great achievement. Donation by Matthew Hart 24/08/09	£35.00 + £9.87 Gift Aid
	Well done Donation by Anon 06/07/09	£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid
	Congratulations Mike - a fantastic achievement.Clare & Trev Donation by clare derby 05/07/09	£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid
	Congratulations Mike on an amazing adventure. Donation by Alexander Hart 01/07/09	£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid
	Brilliant Achievement. Well done ! Donation by Simon Corscaden 26/06/09	£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid
	Well Done! Fantastic achievement and Congratulations.All the best from Lillemor Donation by Lillemor Kallrot 26/06/09	£20.00
	What an achievement. Very well done. Donation by Jane and Jonathan Hart 24/06/09	£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid
	Congratulations on making the finish line, well done Mike. Donation by christopher hart 21/06/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Donation by Phyl and John 17/06/09	£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid
	Mike. "What a star!" Good luck Donation by Angela Lyus H&SS 16/06/09	£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid
	Half way there Mike, good luck for the rest of the journey. Donation by Karen Lavelle 11/06/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	An amazing challenge. Good luck and best wishes from all at 12 Lynton Ave Donation by Elin, Jason, Cerys and Huw 11/06/09	£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid
	A great cause - I could think of easier ways to raise money! Hope the rest of the trip goes well. Donation by Joanna Rose 09/06/09	£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid
	The Wind has not read the script keep at you are doing good see you in Newport Donation by Eddie 08/06/09	£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid
	Keep going Mike. You're doing so well! Donation by Jean & Marten Holden 02/06/09	£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid
	Enjoy the trip and come back safely. Look after Gulliver on his travels and enjoy the cake! Donation by Sandra & Mel 26/05/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Well done sir - enjoy the trip. Donation by The Calthorpes 25/05/09	£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid
	Seems a bit of a drastic measure to avoid the Verulam Ball Mike!! Very best of luck ~ I'll be charting your progress via the world wide web! Donation by Karen Walker 18/05/09	£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid
	Great plan Mike, we love you for it! Donation by Birgitta & Eric 18/05/09	£50.00
	Very best of luck - rather you than me! Donation by David Sheridan 17/05/09	£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid
	Enjoy your trip Michael. Best Wishes.Your Dad told me about your venture) Donation by Kathryn Cranham/Paul Willimont 14/05/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	I heard about this challenge via your lovely wife. I admire your skill, determination and courage & look forward to hearing about your success! Donation by Sandra Swan 13/05/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Wishing you a safe and happy journey Donation by Madelaine 13/05/09	£75.00 + £21.15 Gift Aid
	I'll be listening to the shipping forecast! All the best :o) Donation by Nicki Lancaster 12/05/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Best of luck! :) Donation by Thomas Harper 05/05/09	£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid
	good luck on your trip!!! =] Donation by Toni 05/05/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Wishing you best of luck - Donation by Barbro and Duncan McAusland 04/05/09	£50.00
	Good luck!!! Donation by Camilla & Ryan 01/05/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Best wishes Donation by Jo Wharton 27/04/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Hope you reach your target! Donation by Tamsin 25/04/09	£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Donate now

* Total raised online:	£968.00
Offline donations:	£0.00
Gift Aid plus supplement:	£239.18

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