Hi there :-)
We did it! Jonathan and I crossed the line on Saturday the colour of used tea bags but actually looking in pretty good shape. The first few days were really hard. Then the bodies got the hang of what was being asked of them and away we went. Jonathan did some heroic stuff carrying on with a nasty tendon problem. And the sights and experiences I'm sure will deeply, profoundly affect us. More will follow, with more photos, on a 'Neil and Jonathan - The Real Story' blog. For all those that gave their support - thank you. For all those who are wonderfully still committing your support - thank you - every little really does help. For those who may be wondering what it was all about, here's the story of how it began...
When was the last time you said ‘Yes’ to something - only to think a few weeks later “Blimey, what have I let myself in for?’
Well that happened to me just before Christmas. So starting June 5th I canoed some 140 miles from Bath to Godalming with a very nice chap called Jonathan. It took us a week.
Now I recognise that dragging yourself that far by your arms is not everyone’s idea of fun; our motivation is raising money for a good cause.
Orbit Shed brings together lots of children of all abilities and backgrounds to create inclusive theatre. Check out the photos on the left to see a little more.
Seeing the children, some quite profoundly disabled, all working together to produce great theatre is really quite moving. I’ve seen many a tear in the audience, and not just from the parents.
Like all things, it requires money. Because they are so good there’s often a funder who will support the big named events, which is great. But finding funding that they are allowed to use for the vital but dull things that they need, like rent and insurance and materials for props, is tough. Sharon, my wife, has been doing her bit as Chair of Trustees for years. My turn now. I’d love to raise £2000 which will help them keep it all going and growing.
Thank you so much to everyone who has given so far. It's really quite moving - especially knowing the circumstances of some of those who have given. And in addition to the great people who've donated online and are named below I've received a whopping £1002 from Nick and Gilly, Andy, Norma, Liz and Michael, Peter and Rosemary and friends, Jack, Paula and family and (from the trip itself) John, Bob and Barbara (from Wellington, NZ) and the team from DART, and since getting back; Tess, Jill and Barbara, Carol, Barbara B, Beth, Vicki, Sue T, the Howarths, Alison and Geoff and Ida. Thank you all so much. if you have not yet given and would like to, anything you're comfortable giving would be fantastic. You can be sure that it will all be going to enable the children have a really great experience together.
You can check the blog for the news of the trip as it unfolded :-) http://neil-and-jonathan.blogspot.com/
Thank you!
Neil
And now a little reassuring blurb from the people who are making this part possible...
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
So please dig deep and donate now.
