Nikos Polydorou is fundraising for The Ark

Nikos & Alexis Fundraising Page

Camino De Santiago

on 01/06/2009

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Raising money for

The Ark

Charity Registration No. 1098204

The Ark is an educational arts and disability charity that also helps to manage Club Marmalade, an inclusive nightclub, and Dis:Course, an independent information, advice and support service for people with disabilities and those that support them.

Page owner

Nikos Polydorou

RSS

Raised: 157%

Target: £2,000.00
Raised so far: £3,149.00

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My story

Thanks for visiting our fundraising page.

The objective of our walk is to raise money for The Ark, a centre at Crowthorne that helps physically and mentally disabled people access the arts. The centre needs a minimum of £37,500 a year to keep going and our aim is to raise as much money as possible.

It is very important to note that when the Bracknell Forest Council last carried out an inspection Interact, a weekly drama based course, received a Grade 1 – the highest obtainable, which is a great shame that they have lost the majority of their regular funding from the local authorities, including Bracknell.

Outside of its educational work the Ark has also hosted a disability arts festival in 2006, run children’s workshops and visited arts events and locations such as Tate Modern. In September 2008 it also launched Club Marmalade. This is a monthly inclusive nightclub led by a group of people with disabilities which developed from the Ark’s DJ sessions and an event held at the disability arts festival

My son Alexis is autistic and I know from experience the Ark has been fantastic for him and he has benefited greatly in recent years. He is aware of their difficulties and he will be heartbroken if they were forced to close down. He had no hesitation in joining me for our 300 mile walk inNorthern Spain so that he can help in his own way.

Camino De Santiago is one of the most famous and oldest walks in the world. The 1000 year old pilgrimage to the shrine of St James in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is known in English as the Way of St. James and in Spanish as the Camino de Santiago. Over 100,000 pilgrims travel to the city each year from points all overEurope.

We will fly to Santiago on Sunday 31^st May and then another 6 hour bus journey to take us to Leon which will be the starting point of our long walk in the early hours of Monday 1^st June. If all goes to plan we hope to arrive at the Cathedral of Santiago De Compostela on Saturday 13^th June. This is a great challenge for us both especially as we have to walk over several mountains one of which is 5,000 feet high. The Spanish language isn’t a problem as Alexis is a fluent Spanish speaker but I do know the Spanish words for beer, wine and most of the food.

You can follow our daily progress with photos and messages using this link http://nikospolydorou.blogspot.com/

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

	Congratulations. It was great to be able to spend time with you on the Camino. We really enjoyed your company. Donation by Keith & Caryl Bryars 09/08/09	£20.00
	Congratulations on completing your walk - a fantastic effort Donation by anonymous - cash put through our letter box 07/07/09	£10.00
	Donation by bruce melizan 07/07/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Apologies for the delay. Well done to you both on this inspiring achievement! Donation by Thanasis Trantas 02/07/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Well done, great achievement Donation by Judith Young 30/06/09	£10.00
	Congratulations, you have done it and we are thrilled Donation by Mr & Mrs P Vartholomis 26/06/09	£25.00
	Congratulations for a great cause Donation by Advance conversation Spanish class 26/06/09	£5.00
	Well done to you both Donation by Valerie Turnbridge 26/06/09	£10.00
	Well done and a worthy cause Donation by Margaret Brenchley 26/06/09	£10.00
	It was great to see the record of your trip today. I am very impressed with your achievement and that you have raised so much for the Ark. Donation by Debbie Williams 25/06/09	£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid
	Well done. I hope the rain did not spoil it too much. Donation by Duncan Blyth 24/06/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Great job for a good cause Nic. Donation by Anthos Nicolaides 22/06/09	£25.00
	Great job for a worthy cause Donation by Malcolm Jacobs 18/06/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Well done! Donation by Rina Parry 17/06/09	£10.00
	Good job well done to you both! Donation by Colin Boyt 16/06/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Well done! Donation by Alan.owens@bmw.co.uk 16/06/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Well done! A great achievement! Donation by Penny 16/06/09	£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid
	Congratulations on finishing! Donation by Chris Sinfield 15/06/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	What a fantastic achievement and what a time you had together. Well doneand now for the rest (relaxation not another walk!), Donation by Steve Deveson 15/06/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Hurry back with your cooking tips! Well done! Donation by Juicy 15/06/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Zero knowledge of football but seems like a nice guy which is far more important Donation by SOLMAN 11/06/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	It may be raining, but walking must still be better than working! Good luck to both of you! Donation by Martin, Tony, John, Mark - BMW Parts Dept 11/06/09	£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid
	Keep trekking guys, just read your blogs and see you've had a tough time but it will be worth it at the end so keep going and WELL DONE!! Donation by Pete Harvey 11/06/09	£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid
	Seems like you're giving a lot yourself to this cause. Good Luck. See you in Starbucks. Donation by Shaun Newton 09/06/09	£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid
	Well done Donation by Penny Tomlin 07/06/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Looks like you are being challenged on your challenge! My ride over the Andes seems like a stroll in comparison! Keep it up. Donation by Mike Rawson 06/06/09	£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid
	Keep going lads, it's a brilliant achievement Donation by Ian Lockett 06/06/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Anything to avoid getting a round in, eh Donation by John McNamara 05/06/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Good Luck to you both Donation by Sue Thomas 05/06/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Good luck and enjoy as well as endure ! Donation by Richard Brayley 03/06/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

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* Total raised online:	£3,149.00
Offline donations:	£0.00
Gift Aid plus supplement:	£541.54

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