Grezza and I went over to Manchester on Saturday to meet up with some of the other folk who'll be coming along on the Vietnam-Cambodia bike ride. I wasn't sure what to expect - Grezz was amused to hear that I hoped there wouldn't be too many people like he and I on the ride! I don't think I could deal with a week of 30 overpowering idiots!
Anyway, seems like a good mix, all ages and abilities. The people from MAG and Action Challenge (who do the logistics on MAG's behalf) seem great too.
I'm going to have to reign in the competitiveness though. If I want to nail down every rider that overtakes me I'm in for a painful week....
...but then again...
Friday 19 November 2010
Thursday 18 November 2010
Auction!
Looking back at the auction is great. At the time, it was a nightmare! I think if someone had given me £500 and promised to magic it away I'd have taken it! Infact - I'd have probably done a deal at £20 when, at 8pm, there was only 12 people in the room!!!
Anyway, all's well that ends well - and it ended amazingly. We had a room full of great people, some really competitive bidding, some great laughs and all in all raised £2238!! Which is a massive boost toward our total.
Massive thanks to everyone who came. A big shout from the two cycling idiots to Cordelia, Anaabel, Phoenix, My Dad and anyone who helped out! The Alea Casino were excellent and ensured everything went smoothly!
Anyway, all's well that ends well - and it ended amazingly. We had a room full of great people, some really competitive bidding, some great laughs and all in all raised £2238!! Which is a massive boost toward our total.
Massive thanks to everyone who came. A big shout from the two cycling idiots to Cordelia, Anaabel, Phoenix, My Dad and anyone who helped out! The Alea Casino were excellent and ensured everything went smoothly!
Saturday 23 October 2010
Mail drop!
500 fliers posted, 2 dog attacks and 1 upset man moaning about me posting something through his letter box! No a bad day - and it's still only 2.30! It occured to me that I've not talked too much about what we're doing to get our legs ready for this upcoming challenge - I'll be sure to work on that soon!
Thank you again to all that are contributing, some in time and skills, some with money and some with products for the auction. It's all awesome.
Thank you again to all that are contributing, some in time and skills, some with money and some with products for the auction. It's all awesome.
ASDA & Nuffield Health Bike Ride!
Our good friend Annabel arranged a stationary cycle in the front of the Monks Cross ASDA store last Saturday. It went brilliantly. Graham and I sat on the exercise bikes for a couple of hours each before we we shoved off by the cold support team in an attempt to warm themselves up.
The public support was great, loads of people stopping and chatting, curious to know what MAG was about and what we were doing to raise money. I spoke at length to a lady whose son had been badly injured by a landmine in Afghanistan.
She told me, with tears in her eyes, that the anti-tank mine had ripped through the cab of the truck he was driving and virtually killed him. Leaving him with severe internal injuries. It was the courageous efforts of the Chinook pilot and it's escort of Apache Gunships lifting him out of the conflict zone under heavy fire that saved his life.
Chatting with the lady made what we are doing very real. This isn't something that helps out a faceless bunch of people on the otherside of the world, Landmines affect our peers, our friends and our families working in conflict zones. In that instance it was an active soldier - for every mine that doesn't go off during this conflict, another 5 will when a peacekeeping organisation drive over it, or a local family after the conflict.
So, to the lady who turned her nose up and said "I'm not putting any money in, charity starts at home" - have a chat with Sharon and her son - see if landmines are something that York family think is 'close to home'....
The public support was great, loads of people stopping and chatting, curious to know what MAG was about and what we were doing to raise money. I spoke at length to a lady whose son had been badly injured by a landmine in Afghanistan.
She told me, with tears in her eyes, that the anti-tank mine had ripped through the cab of the truck he was driving and virtually killed him. Leaving him with severe internal injuries. It was the courageous efforts of the Chinook pilot and it's escort of Apache Gunships lifting him out of the conflict zone under heavy fire that saved his life.
Chatting with the lady made what we are doing very real. This isn't something that helps out a faceless bunch of people on the otherside of the world, Landmines affect our peers, our friends and our families working in conflict zones. In that instance it was an active soldier - for every mine that doesn't go off during this conflict, another 5 will when a peacekeeping organisation drive over it, or a local family after the conflict.
So, to the lady who turned her nose up and said "I'm not putting any money in, charity starts at home" - have a chat with Sharon and her son - see if landmines are something that York family think is 'close to home'....
The Auction is Gathering Speed!
Wow, I'm knocked out by the results we're getting for the Charity Auction we have planned for the 4th November.
Here's a little run down of some of the stuff donated to the cause so far -
- 5 UK Holidays
- A variety of meals in top Leeds restaurants
- Private Cinema Hire
- Original art work and photography
- A multitude of hair and beauty treatments
- Autographed sports memorabilia
- Bespoke web design packages
- Exclusive male/female orientated pamper days
The stuff is great - although aside from the stuff, the response we're getting from people, our friends and friends of friends, is really unbelievable. I've never questioned the fact that my friends are a great bunch, but seeing how much they rally around when they can help - it's awesome. Without wanting to sound overly sentimental, really makes us realise what great company we keep.
Sorry this blog isn't receiving the attention it deserves, I'll be more regular with my posting from this point onward!
Here's a little run down of some of the stuff donated to the cause so far -
- 5 UK Holidays
- A variety of meals in top Leeds restaurants
- Private Cinema Hire
- Original art work and photography
- A multitude of hair and beauty treatments
- Autographed sports memorabilia
- Bespoke web design packages
- Exclusive male/female orientated pamper days
The stuff is great - although aside from the stuff, the response we're getting from people, our friends and friends of friends, is really unbelievable. I've never questioned the fact that my friends are a great bunch, but seeing how much they rally around when they can help - it's awesome. Without wanting to sound overly sentimental, really makes us realise what great company we keep.
Sorry this blog isn't receiving the attention it deserves, I'll be more regular with my posting from this point onward!
Monday 4 October 2010
Uncle Jason!
As we wandered our weary legs along our sponsored walk route this weekend, co-walker and great friend Jason Goodwin, offered his services as designer and donor to our cause.
Awesome design. We're getting 2500! I'm going to distribute them around Leeds by cycling really fast throwing them like confetti....
Awesome design. We're getting 2500! I'm going to distribute them around Leeds by cycling really fast throwing them like confetti....
The Trader!
The Scarborough press isn't too concerned with unfaithful footballers - they'd rather concentrate on a couple of lads with funny haircuts riding their bikes! Good on 'em I say!
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