Ben Keene is fundraising for Survival International

Vorovoro Ironman

on 27/08/2008

Vorovoro, Fiji - up, over and around

Photos (1)

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Team members:

Ben Keene, Giles Dawnay & other tribe members

Raising money for

Survival International

Charity Registration No. 267444

"Survival helps tribal peoples to defend their lives, protect their lands and determine their own futures.

Founded in 1969 in response to the secret genocide of Amazonian Indians, Survival is the only international organization supporting tribal peoples worldwide. We do not accept funding from any national government.

Today, Survival has supporters in 82 countries. We work for tribal peoples’ rights in three complementary ways: education, advocacy and campaigns. We also offer tribal people themselves a platform to address the world. We work closely with local indigenous organizations, and focus on tribal peoples who have the most to lose, usually those most recently in contact with the outside world.

We believe that public opinion is the most effective force for change. Its power will make it harder, and eventually impossible, for governments and companies to oppress tribal peoples.

Visit www.survivalinternational.org to find out more."

Page owner

Ben Keene

RSS

Raised: 70%

Target: £1,000.00
Raised so far: £695.00

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My story

Jale (Giles) and I have been banned from the Hammock Society on Vorovoro, and so as a way of consoling ourselves we have decided to show that by not adhearing to Hammock Society rules we can raise money for charity and break island records.

The Vorovoro Ironman- a brief history
The Vorovoro Ironman is split into two parts: The Four Peaks Challenge & The Island Swim

The Four Peaks Challenge
The Challenge began when my brother, Dan, and I were exploring the island in 2006. We discvored that you could follow the mile long ridge of the island, clambering up and down its four main peaks before winding your way back to the village behind the mangroves, avoiding the sleeping sea-snake, and along the beach.

After setting what we thought was a competitive 37 minutes for the gruelling run, it was smashed by a rock-bounding Kiwi called Murray in early 2007 who trotted home with a bloodied torso from the thorny bush lashings in just over 34 minutes. In the last month Giles, Rich and I have broken the thirty minute barrier.

The Island Swim
Currents, waves, coral and sharks - the Vorovoro Island swim is an epic round island swim of approximately 5 kilometers. Getting round in two and a quarter hours is a good challenge for a competent swimmer with fins. But without fins and after a lung-bursting run....

A new challenge - completing the Vorovoro Ironman in sub 2 hours 45 minutes
This requires a sub 30 minute Four Peaks + a sub 2:15 Swim. On their own both are possible, but together?

So we need an extra incentive to push us when it really starts to hurt. We have set August 27th as the date for the official Vorovoro Ironman. Can we do it?

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Survival International 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 us now!

	Fantastic achievement! I think you have hidden tarzan ropes around the island! Donation by Mary Briden 10/09/08	£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid
	Ben and Giles, thanks for the great experience on Vorvoro hope to see you soon!!! xoxo Kathryn Donation by Kathryn (Cathy) Cicoletti 05/09/08	£20.00
	Well Done Guys Donation by Jay 04/09/08	£10.00
	Good effort for a good cause :^) Donation by Hannah 04/09/08	£10.00
	Woop woop...amazing run and swim and for a fantastic cause too! Go sexy Iron men! Donation by Amy :) 30/08/08	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Well done boys!!! Donation by Moya 30/08/08	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Wishing you calm seas, and good luck! Donation by Senga 28/08/08	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	God help the adjudicator. Donation by Dan 28/08/08	£75.00
	run fat boys run! Donation by Sue 27/08/08	£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid
	good luck!! Donation by rachelle rodrigues 27/08/08	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	have fun lads! ... and Giles, please please promise to send your stopwatch for swim after this :0) Donation by Carol 26/08/08	£40.00
	The Hammock Society will cheer from the hammocks Donation by Jim Kerridge 25/08/08	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Just like the SW Coast! Bring home Gold boys. Donation by Papa Keeno 25/08/08	£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid
	go for it madmen... Donation by Chrissy Bracewell 24/08/08	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	all the best Giles. your mother is a good friend of mine from our schooldays!! Donation by Sheila May Stephens 24/08/08	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Good luck guys- hope to be there cheering you on at finish line ;-) Donation by SJ 23/08/08	£15.00
	Do it for of all us that have been banned from the Hammock Society! Good luck fellas! Donation by Atama 19/08/08	£15.00
	Go hard, go hammocks! Donation by Toolia 19/08/08	£20.00
	go hard, or go home lads :) Donation by Andrew 17/08/08	£5.00
	good lucks guys :) Donation by Mariah B 17/08/08	£10.00
	no time to look at the views! wish I could be there when you finish in celebration mode Donation by caroline 16/08/08	£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid
	go for it Donation by linda worden 16/08/08	£50.00
	This looks cool (and wet) Hopefully it will all be on video. Donation by JayDub 14/08/08	£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid
	Stay alive!! Donation by Avril F 14/08/08	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Rather you than me! Donation by Ruth 13/08/08	£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

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* Total raised online:	£695.00
Offline donations:	£0.00
Gift Aid plus supplement:	£119.87

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Find out how much it is and what we do for it.