*** CA EMPLOYEES:
Please use Matching Gifts to double the donation (see below)  
                                                                                                                            

Follow my progress at http://twitter.com/rickvietnam

18 November 2009 - Well today would have been the day I went down to Heathrow ready to depart on this epic challenge.  Unfortunately my father has died suddenly and I've had to cancel the challenge.  I've yet to decide what to do next.  Despite pleas to the insurance company my life-long friend and team member Cliff is unable to cancel and is therefore heading out to Vietnam on his own.  Good luck mate, come back safe and sound!

25 Sept 09 - UPDATE Well thanks to everyone's generosity I have raised the target amount which is fantastic!  Of course it doesn't stop there so now I'm looking to push it to £3,500!

Training has started again after a big lull over summer and the shock that this mad fund raising adventure is now only 8 weeks away!

Recently I went to visit the New Hospital and it looks absolutely FANTASTIC, but I can now see where this much needed money is going to help children recovering from illnesses.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So I've just turned 40 and inevitably a mid-life crisis must be looming ...

... what better way to hit it head-on than signing up for some mad adventure on the other side of the world!  Yes 500km (that's 300 miles for those of you non-metric types) from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Siem Reap in only 8 days.  And apparently it will be very hot and very humid.  That is definitely NOT English weather!

I've also heard it might hurt ....

So, apart from the obvious mid-life crisis, why do this?

Well my best man (Cliff Sale) and I are doing it to raise money for the New Children's Hospital being built here in Manchester which will provide first class treatment for children from all over North West England.  My god-daughter and several of my son's friends are currently treated in the many old, small hosptials spread around the area and they will all benefit frmo this excellent new facility.  They have a £20 million pound target, which they are currently £2million short of so every Pound, Euro and Dollar makes all the difference.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Central Manchester & Manchester Children's University Hospitals Charity 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!

*** CA EMPLOYEES:
Please use Matching Gifts to double the donation:

1. Register your donation via matchinggifts.ca.com (intranet only).
2. Search for "New Children's Hospital" there should only be one.
3. Register the amount you donated and CA will do the rest!