Raised: 109%
Target: £2,000.00
Raised so far: £2,172.00
Donate now

My story

 
Calum MacLeod was a crofter who lived at the north end of the Scottish Hebredian Island of Raasay.

After years of trying to get various local authorities to build a road to the area, one spring morning, Calum took out his wheelbarrow, a pick, an axe, a shovel and a do-it-yourself guide to road construction and started building a road himself. It took him 20 years to complete his work. The Road has since been adopted and is now recognised as a public road. It is called 'Calum's Road', and the author, Roger Hutchinson has written an award winning book of the same name about it.

The villages near Kuntaur in the Gambia are cut off from civilization for 6 months of the year because the dirt track they call a road is flooded. The Gambian Government don't have the funds to supply a road in the area, so the locals have been inspired by Calum MacLeod and are now building their own road, supported by The Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust. The materials required to build their road, are expected to cost in the region of £140,000... When completed, it will be called Calum's Road, in memory of the Scotish Crofter, who inspired it's building.

So, in January 2010, there should be two Calum's Roads.... One in Raasay, Scotland and one in the Gambia, Africa.

It is my intention, with some of my biking friends, to each raise £2000 towards the cost of materials. Then, when the locals have completed their DIY road, we intend to ride from the original Calum's Road in the Hebridean island of Raasay, to the new Calum's Road in The Gambia. I Intend to ride my motorcycle from my home to Calum's Road Gambia.... Via Calum's Road Scotland. Door to door, this is in the region of 5000 miles. The ride takes me from Northern Ireland, through Scotland, England, France, Spain, Gibraltar, Morocco, (The disputed) Western Sahara, Mauritania, Senegal and then Gambia. Basicly following the route of the Dakar Rally

I will fund my trip myself and all donations will go directly to the building of the new "Calum's Road"

Check out our website at www.calumsroad.info

I have tried a variety of novel methods to raise money, including an expesive (to me) attempt to lose weight.... a £ a lb, from my mates for each pound shed and £10 a lb from me for weight re-gained......  the weight has been stationary now and that method has dried up.

I have been telling my students at work about my intention to raise £2000 and this has met with some very generous donations from them.

An interesting statistic has been brought to my attention.........  each metre of the Road costs £20..... therefore my sponsors and I have supplied over 40 metres of Road so far...... and my target is 100  metres!  

Calum's Rd Scotland is under the control of the Inverness County council, which serves 400,000 people and has an annual budget, for things like transport, health and education, of £8.5 billion.  In the Banjul region of Gambia, the government also serves 400,000 people and has a budget of £265,000. So far I have raised almost 1% of that figure................... puts things in perspective!

On Saturday 26th September 09, the Chicago Blues band, The Pontiax played a free gig for me in aid of Calum's Road at Carrickfergus Sailing Club. This evening was supported by so many people, many of whom donated £10 for a ticket, but were unable to attend. The total raised was £1150 (including the online donations). Awesome band, superb venue and the most generous crowd ever!  Thank you everyone who made it possible.


Donation by Anonymous 15/11/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Module Road and Race gave me a great discount on some kit, so, half the saving goes here as my donation. Thanks Keith! Donation by Stephen McGilton 02/11/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good Luck on the trip, thanks for everything. Donation by nick crane 18/10/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

TT73 what a team! Thanks for all your help. Donation by Dave M 15/10/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Funds raised @ charity Blues night with the Pontiax. When added to some of the donations below, this raised £1150. Thanks everyone! Donation by Stephen McGilton 28/09/09  

£896.00

Best of luck Stephen from Auntie Marg. Very proud of what you are doing. Sorry I missed the Blues night. Please look after yourself. X Donation by Margaret Hartley 27/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck tonight Stevie, tell them to play it feckin loud so we can hear it over here ! Donation by neil hughes (neil23) 26/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

all the best Stephen......and thanks for the help so far! Donation by Louise McC 25/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Stevie- can't make it over for the Blues Night but bought me ticket anyway. Have a good one!! Donation by wully oliver 24/09/09  

£10.00

Here you go! Give the tickets to a couple of the local nice guys Donation by Shep 24/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

A great cause and just something from all the Fullertons Donation by William Fullerton 23/09/09  

£120.00 + £33.85 Gift Aid

Sorry can't make the gig. Only live 7 miles away but going trail riding in Wales that weekend. Have a good night Donation by ChubbyThumper 19/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

More donations from my students Donation by Stephen McGilton 18/09/09  

£82.00

On the pipe all the way Good luck Stevie Donation by Loudpedal 14/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Ticket for Blues Night, can't go myself, give it to a young'un so they can hear what real music is :) Donation by Whatton 11/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Rock me baby Donation by H.R.H. OONYACK 10/09/09  

More Donations from my students. Thanks Folks Donation by Stephen McGilton 10/08/09  

£111.00

What about a big super fry from Springsteens? Donation by Stephen Keenan 10/08/09  

£20.00

Cash Donations from my students. Thanks folks! Donation by My Students 08/07/09  

£75.00

Weigh in end of June...2lb up AGAIN! Donation by Stephen McGilton 05/07/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

honesty donatation for being fat Donation by Me Myself 16/06/09  

£40.00 + £11.28 Gift Aid

Glenahulish ferry gave us free passage if we donated the money to the charith. Thanks guys! Donation by Glenelg Ferry 11/05/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Keep 'er lit big lad! Wish I could come along for the ride! Donation by Trevor Kirke 02/05/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Best of luck Stevie! Donation by Leanna 08/04/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Put a 1lb on ? Should've taken a dump before weigh-in !! Donation by Paul B 04/04/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Donation as promised for gaining weight Donation by Me..Myself 01/04/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Fancy a fry tomorrow Donation by Joanne & Mum 12/03/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Cash donations..... thanks again folks! Donation by My Students & workmates 09/03/09  

£94.00

Well done! Now, who's going to break the magical £400 barrier? Donation by Rhonda 06/03/09  

£17.00 + £4.79 Gift Aid

Please start eatin again, please !! Donation by Paul B 05/03/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
Donate now
 
* Total raised online: £2,172.00
  Offline donations: £0.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £191.51

* Charities pay a small fee for our service.
Find out how much it is and what we do for it.