Story
THANK YOU! We made it! I never could have raised these funds without your unbelievable kindness. Family, neighbors, UK friends, Hong Kong friends and past work friends as well as many passers-by on Strand on the Green. I owe this to you. I salute you! In particular, I have to mention the inspiration of my dad and all of his friends and colleagues. What is also wonderful is that you've rallied together from across the globe- from the UK, Hong Kong and New York. And in such a short time. I feel blessed and very lucky to have such support.
Before I leave, next Wednesday, I will put up a link to a blog I am creating which I will update whilst abroad.
UPDATE- 07 March 2010, Post-walk...
I made it. How, I do not know. Starting at 7.30 am from Hampton Court, I walked for over 12 hours to arrive at Tower Bridge by 7.45pm. Beautiful day, with a lovely blue sky, but deceptively freezing. At the start, it seemed an impossible challenge, and at times I just wanted to be in a warm room with hot food and give up. But of course I couldn't do that! It was probably the toughest challenge I've ever done- I still resemble a penguin when I walk. But I can honestly say the tears of relief on seeing a blazing Tower Bridge in the distance, and the feelings of accomplishment and gratitude were unforgettable. Once more, my thanks to the generosity of everyone who donated and all the support.
Photos from the day will be posted shortly. Keep checking the page!
UPDATE- IT IS TIME.
Thanks to all your donations, and the money raised offline by extreme brownie-selling and other generous sponsors, I am now nearly 2/3 of the way there! I've spent all day today (Saturday) selling brownies and tomorrow I finally walk the walk. Very excited. A bit nervous. Should go to bed..By the next update I will have completed the walk. Please, please let more people know about my JustGiving page as it is never too late to donate! Thank you.
UPDATE!!!
1/4 of the funds raised thanks to all your generosity people!
UPDATE- 04 March 2010
Ok. Well, I've been walking with weight in my backpack, and on Tuesday I got up to 11kg for about an hour! Thank god for the hip belt. I put my bright orange rain cover on my pack and I don't remember why but orange Sainsburys bags on my boots and someone said I looked like a bag lady! Ive been running to get my fitness up, but the walking boots have been causing trouble. Have to go into Cotswolds again to try to make them fit. AAARGH. And Sunday is drawing closer...
UPDATE- 01 March 2010
Just to let you all know how its going. I have been trying to wear in my walking boots, my backpack and my legs! On Saturday I walked to Isleworth and back along the river, with my backpack, and a small white dog. All fared well, though the dog had to be carried part way as her legs couldn't take it. It sometimes dawns on me that I've set myself quite a challenge! Well, onwards and upwards, and thank you again for your support.
Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
On Sunday 7th March, I am walking the length of a marathon, from Hampton Court to Tower Bridge, in one day.
Donning boots and backpack I plan to walk 40km of the Thames National Path in London, past all of London's bridges, to raise money for UK youth development charity Raleigh.
As a fundraising participant I am asking for sponsorship so I can take part in a three and a half week Raleigh expedition to Costa Rica and Nicaragua, commencing on the 19th March. The money raised will help Raleigh to continue working closely with local communities in Borneo, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and India, on worthwhile, sustainable projects developed as part of their volunteer expeditions.
I am using JustGiving as it is a simple, fast and secure way of sending donations straight to Raleigh. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
So please dig deep and donate now.
More about Raleigh and why I am raising this money:
I have always wanted to visit Costa Rica, a country of overwhelming natural richness and biodiversity, as well as warmth of spirit and love of life. So taking part in this expedition means a lot to me. If I manage to raise the funds, I will be trekking across remote and beautiful areas of the country on a three week trekking challenge, the most demanding thing I will have ever done but I am sure extremely rewarding. From this I will gain more cultural awareness, leadership skills, communications skills, and independence. Several treks allow Raleigh into otherwise inaccessible key areas of conservation, something I would love to become more involved in. I have chosen to take on the adventure phase as I will be volunteering on projects separate from Raleigh for several months after the expedition, on turtle conservation as well as monkey rehabilitation and sustainable agriculture. However, several other groups of Raleigh venturers (young people on expeditions) will be working on community and environmental projects around Costa Rica and Nicaragua; such as bringing clean and safe drinking water to 14 families in La Calera and building a viewing platform in La Cangreja National Park. My funds will also allow host country venturers as well as other young people to take part in expeditions, when they otherwise could not.
Once more, thank you for any support you can give.