Raised: 29%
Target: £10,000.00
Raised so far: £2,922.11
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My story

 

Racing to the end of the Earth for The AMBER Trust

In December, 2008, I will be taking part in a race to the South Pole, which will involve skiing 370 nautical miles across the Antarctic Plateau. Pulling a 200 lb sled for up to 45 days, I will climb to 9,300 feet in temperatures as low as –50º. And, despite consuming up to 6000 calories a day, I expect to lose up to 15% of my body weight. Having already raced for 12 days to the North Pole, I am under no illusions about the immense challenges I will face throughout my journey, but this time it will be much more difficult.

I am thrilled that children who are supported by The AMBER Trust – a charity that helps blind and partially blind children access and enjoy music – are going to choose their favourite pieces of music ('I Can See for Miles', 'Don't Stop, Never Give Up' and 'For Once in My Life', to name just a few) for me to listen to as I trudge across the snow. It makes me really proud to know that 16-year-old Lloyd Coleman, who has both visual and hearing impairments, is composing a special piece of music for me, which will be recorded by the New London Chamber Ensemble Wind Quintet, before I leave.

I love music and I know how important it is to many blind children, just as it was to me during my race to the North Pole. Without music, I don't know what I would have done. It uplifts and takes you to other places, and for a while you forget the grind of putting one foot in front of the other when every bit of you is saying 'stop'.

Despite racing in teams of three, it can be a lonely experience for much of the time. Your team-mates ahead of or behind you, hoods up against the wind, heads down, having their own battles with ski's, bindings, fatigue, boredom. There isn't much conversation, so you have only your thoughts and music to keep you company. There were many times when I said to myself, 'Never, ever forget what this feels like. Never again'. But, you forget how painful it was to ski 25 miles in a white-out, thinking you would go crazy if you didn't go to sleep, and you remember the first hot chocolate in your tent, the cookers on, food, rest, warmth, mates and the achingly beautiful scenery. If I'm making it sound hard, that's how I found it. I'm not looking for sympathy, but trying to explain how music is part of what makes it doable.

Having a connection with The AMBER Trust's children and their music, and knowing that the money I raise will go towards helping to make their world a happier place to live in, inspires me and gives me a real reason to push myself and my body to the limit.

I hope you will sponsor me online to support The AMBER Trust (www.ambertrust.org) – it really is a wonderfully worthwhile charity. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me – The AMBER 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 would like to follow the race, visit www.thesouthpolerace.com. I'll keep you updated on the training.

February 26th, 2008 – quick update. I had a great week in Norway, training for the race, and and am now part of a British all-girl team – me, Hannah Shields and Felicity Aston. They are both seasoned Polar travellers, and I couldn't think of two people I'd rather have pull me out of a crevasse! My next training session, crevasse rescue, is in Austria in July.

Thank you for your support,

Rachel

 


Awesome achievement! Well done to u & your team! Donation by Vikki & Conrad Humphreys 12/02/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Fantastic achievement, well done :-) Donation by Carrie Archdeacon 10/02/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Congratulations Rachel! Donation by Isobel Michael 30/01/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Well done on reaching the Pole! Donation by Adam Ockelford 28/01/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Congratulations Rachel! Looking forward to the stories! Donation by Anna Orrock 27/01/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

All the very best Rachael. Spoke to Ann today. Donation by David Grove 24/01/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

We are thinking of you. Love and good wishes Donation by Graham Karen and Leigh 16/01/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Good luck Rach. Im looking foward to hearing your stories when you get back- and get loads of pictures of Ben... xx Donation by Anna Wylie 15/01/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

All the very best Rachel, we are thinking of you. Donation by Chris & Richard Fuller 12/01/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good Luck Rachel. Our thoughts are with you. We know you can do it. Just think of us all back here in Wimbledon, Take care Love S & D Donation by Stella & David Jones 01/01/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Keep listening to those songs Donation by Anne Civardi 23/12/08  

£455.00 + £128.33 Gift Aid

Go Girl !! We are right behind you, supporting you in our nice warm, dry homes!!!! Wish you spectacular success.Luv Ex Donation by Elary (Tams) 01/12/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Good luck Rachel. I'll be following your trek closely, be thinking about you lots and send you lots of good luck thoughts. Take care. Xx Donation by Andrea 01/12/08  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Always knew you'd go far Rachel! Chuffed to see you are still pushing the boundaries. Hope to speak soon. Andrew, Nicky, Rebecca and CaitlinTinsley Donation by Andrew Tinsley 30/11/08  

£52.11 + £14.70 Gift Aid

Good luck Rachel. Donation by p n gwin 20/11/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Wishing you heaps of luck and love. Hope they put a special Glockenspiel piece in the composition! You'll be marvellous. Snog Ben for me! Jude xx Donation by Jude O'Carroll 05/11/08  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Great to see you again. Hope all goes well with your endeavour. Don't forget to take some Filippa Giordano!!! Love from us both. Donation by Simon & Sue Evans 09/10/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

All the Best withit Rachel. Hope the music keeps you going. Donation by Jenna Jagodzinska 08/10/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck in your trek and hope you reach target as at present our son receives sponsorship from Am Donation by Kim Rowcliffe 04/05/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Donation by anonymous. 23/01/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good luck Rachel. Sarah Curtis told us what you are doing and it's amazing! Donation by Sam Dick 19/12/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Very best wishes Donation by roderic hill 05/12/07  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid
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* Total raised online: £1,262.11
  Offline donations: £1,660.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £355.98

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