I'm doing Oxfam Trailwalker for a fourth time - what is Trailwalker?

Oxfam Trailwalker is a challenging endurance fundraising event in which teams of 4 complete 100km trail through bush terrain in 48hours. Oxfam Trailwalker is a growing global phenomenon. In 2012, Oxfam Trailwalker have taken place in 13 different countries across Australia, New Zealand, China (Hong Kong), the UK, Netherlands, Canada, Belgium, Ireland and Japan.

Why am I doing it?

Oxfam Japan is a charity very close to my heart. Naoko from Oxfam called me and asked if I had a team. I said no. She said there were three Germans coming all the way from Germany to take part in Trailwalker Japan but were looking for a team member. I eventually agreed.

I’ve done it three times already. What is the challenge this time round?

I am on a team of Germans. I love Germans. But walking 100km with three strangers is a massive challenge and not knowing their pace and personality will make Trailwalker 2013 the hardest of them all.

Why do I deserve your time and money?

·         Training: I am working very hard to get myself fit for this running at least 5.5km every day.

·         Fundraising: Asking for money is easy. So every year I always challenge myself to do something difficult to make me worthy of your money. This year I am memorizing a three-minute speech in Japanese explaining Trailwalker and why I am doing it.

·         Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): Oxfam Japan will use part of the money to go to help those in DRC. Over the past couple of months, I’ve been doing a lot of research on their situation. Stories of starvation, disease, displacement of millions, rape– raping of communities, including children. It’s not good. It’s terrible and I wish there was a way that these words would have the power to jump in front of you. There is so much going on which we don’t see and can’t imagine. Oxfam are just one of many aid agencies and organisations doing some amazing things and giving people out there something to hold on to. Even if you can’t donate please at least look at this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3cJbJcd104 or see http://www.oxfam.jp/en/whatwedo/emergency_work/drc/

Final words…

Walking 100km gives you a lot of time to think. Walking with strangers will give me even more…after 50km, you’re mind starts to wander and that is when the mental challenge begins. To those who donate: -

·      When I am hurting or in pain, I will take a picture of the names of each and every person who donates to keep you connected with me and the Trailwalker and to encourage me to keep going.

Any kind of donation will be very welcome! Thanks again for reading this.

Cheers,

Joe.