I Have a Dilemma

Tuesday 30th October 07

When I decided to embark on the E2E challenge I decide I wanted to do it for a charity but which of the thousands of charities would I do it for?

My first instinct was to go for one that is very close to my heart, The Kenya Acorn Project. KAP for short.

This morning I was having some quality thinking time in the shower, like one does, and the question of charities and the challenge, came to mind.

Since deciding to do the E2E, I have called upon many web and blog sites for advice on the route I should take and to do this i looked at the route they had taken, and the whole machinics of their E2E .

On all these web sites I noticed also that the two threads that connected most, but not all, of them together, that was that they were doing their E2E for a good course, mostly a charity. The other thread was that the charities that were chosen, they were all well known. Joe Public was able to relate to them when it came to putting their hands in their pocket and making a donation. Many pounds were raised by camp sites, pubs having raffles and collections. Supermarkets had fund raisers in the name of the charity. People along the route donated money because they personal had experience with a condition or a friend or loved one had that the E2Eer’s were doing it for. This would not be the case with my charity. Not many people have heard of KAP or had any experience of the wonderful works they do.

So what do I do? Chose a well know charity one that is very important to me, such as the PDSA. http://www.pdsa.org.uk/
Go for one of the other main charities like Arthritis Care, http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/Home After all I do have Rheumatoid Arthritis. Or should I go with a small charity, in this case The Kenya Acorn Project. http://www.kenyaacornproject.org/ KAP desperately need funds to keep a hospital open and many other projects they support.

If I was to fundraise for KAP outside of Newcastle upon Tyne, people would wonder who they were; they would not relate to them; and I cannot see many people stopping me on route to donate money; or the camp sites, pubs and supermarkets helping with having a fund raising event.

Going with KAP could be an opportunity lost for a larger well known charity, or would it?

I could have two charities, a nation well knows charity and I could have KAP along as well. KAP could be advertise on the van next to the well know charity. Information about KAP could be given out along the route with the information of the well known charity. Who knows maybe the media might just pick up on KAP and they may well get the national recognition they richly deserve.

Now you have read my dilemma, what do you think I should do? Do I stay with a well known charity. Go with KAP or go with both?

Some of the emails between Jack Adams and myself

Sunday 28th October.



When I started working on the idea of doing the E2E I first contacted Jack Adams with this email 28/8/07

Dear Jack
The Lands End to John O'Groths. Do people really do it in electric wheelchairs? I cannot push a manunual wheelchair but I can control a joystick on my electric one?
If people have done the journey in an electric wheelchair can you please put me in touch, and if you no of any trips planned I would also love to no.
Thanks
Mary Laver



To which Jack replied

Hi Mary
Many thanks for your interest in the Lands End John o' Groats Association.
As far as I know no body has completed an end to end in an electric wheel chair, however we do have a number of people planning the journey by various modes of transport.
First you would have to have access to charging facilities, I assume you would have a back up or support team assisting you, if so a portable generator would be ideal to recharge your batteries.
I will make enquiries among our members and see what I can come up with, in the mean time I am attaching our information sheet that will give you an insight into our elite Association who next year celebrate 25 years of helping end to enders.

Yours Sincerely
Jack

I have now have set the dates

Sunday 28th October 07

After giving much thought to the dates of my World Record Attempt. Taking advice from Jack Adams, insomuch that it is best to start on a Sunday and Finish on a Sunday. Traffic conditions ect. the date will be 1st June to 29th June 2008 I have also been looking at the distance and have decided to look at doing 40 miles per day. Breaking that down ends out at ...40 miles per day divided by about 1000 miles = 25 days. I am giving myself 29 days to do the challenge. That as you will realise gives me a margin of 4 days spare or 1 day off per week, or 2 1/2 days off per week.

I am looking at a days time table. To those of you who are following and reading this blog, what do you think to these timings?

40 miles @ 5 mph average = 8 hrs driving

0600 to 0700 on road = 1 hr
0700 to 0900 off road = 2 hrs off road heavy traffic
stops for breakfast ext and any publicity.
0900 to 1000 = 1 hr + 1 = 2 hrs
1000 to 1015 break
1015 to 1115 = 1 hr + 2 hrs = 3 hrs
1115 to 1130 break
1130 to 1230 on road 1 hr + 3 hrs = 4 hrs
1230 to 1330 off road lunch
1330 to 143 0 on road 1 hrs + 4 = 5 hrs
1430 to 1445 off road break
1445 to 1615 on road 1 ½ hr + 5 = 6 ½ hrs
1615 to 1800 off road heavy traffic tea & publicity stop.
1800 to 2030 on road 2 ½ hrs + 6 ½ hrs = 8 hrs
2030 to 0600 nights break evening meal.


Now the Power Chair I am looking at to do this challenge, I am sure that it will do more than 5 mph comfortably; so an average of 5 mph is quite attainable. This challenge is not 'a stroll in the park' so I have set myself what I feel sitting here sitting at the computer not out there on the road, reasonable target to meet. They will need to be transferred onto maps and looked at by the people who are involved with helping me with the challenge to see if they agree with my calculations as regards safe stopping places and campsites for the night. They will, I am sure, vary slightly day to day.

The route is still, at the moment, as already written on this blog.

So what do you think?

The Importance of My Profile

Thursday 25th October 07

Today I started to realise the importance of writing a good profile about myself if I wish to attract sponsorship to help me pay for the challenge, a team to do the E2E with me, to get the media interested, very important for sponsors, to get you my readers to my blog and raise money for my chosen charity.

During today I have altered my profile a couple of times, the last time was when after writing a bit irrelevant stuff along with a load of woffle, my profile was rejected because of too many characters. 1200 is maxim. I then sat back and said to myself, what will sell this challenge, the fact that i have two Jack Russel puppies or that I have appeared live on Breakfast Time and Pebble Mill. You can read my conclusion on the left hand side under 'About Me' I also cut out the bits of spending one month in the USA travelling on the Greyhound Buss and replaced it with appearing on the radio and in newspapers. This is the sort of irreverent stuff that I hope will sell this project.

I am now going back to the web sites to extract more information from them. I am also hoping the telephone will ring all night to bring me back to reality as I have advertised a job for a Personal Assistant to look after me in to nights Even Chronicle. Eileen will be here to take the flood of calls. I employ my own staff using the Direct Payment Scheme. Best way to deal with my care and I highly recommend it.

Now where is Google!

Collating information that is coming in.

Wednesday 24th October 07

Collating information that I am now receiving.

On this page I shall share with you lots of the information that I am now getting from many different sourses. This may be the best road to take; a good campsite to stay at; support for fundraising from a supper market. If anyone wishes to add to the list, then please feel free to do so.

Let me start with Jack Adams campsite list . Jack has a wealth of information to pass on so here are some of his suggestions.

Good camp sites that maynot be in the Caravan Club book.

Dornafield Farm, Two Mile Oak, Newton Abbot, Tel 01803 812732.

Bone Valley, Heamoor, Penzance, Tel/Fax 01736 360313, great place to stay.

Ash Farm, Taunton, Tel 01823 442567,

Stanmore Hall, Bridgenorth, Tel 01746 761761, email stanmore@morris-leisure.co.uk

Baltic Wharf in Bristol, this is a caravan club site, so CC members get a discount. is situated right on the river.

That all on camp sites for the moment

Supermarkets

If you get in touch with Asda stores en-route. They may help you with fundraising for your chosen charity.

Application form to join world record attempt

Wednesday 24th October 07

This, I hope, is your application form to join my support team. You can copy and past to eith email or word. Thank you for applying. I lookforward to meeting you. Mary Laver

Application to join Mary Laver
As part of her
Lands End to John O’Groats Support Team
June 2008


Name……………………………………………………………………….

Address…………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………..

Post Code…………………………..

Tel no ……………………………..

Mobile……………………………..

Email Address…………………………..

Age………………..

Type of support, Bike Rider/Carer/Driver/ Cross out which does not apply. Driver/ You must be over 25 with a clean driving licence

Date joining team………………………………….

Date leaving team…………………………………..

Next of Kin…………………………………………..

Relationship with Next of Kin………………………………………

Next of Kin contact tel no…………………………………….

Any medical condition I should no about?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….


Your expense that you wish to claim for

……………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………..

Any other information that will be of any use in an emergency

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

What special expertise you can bring to the venture?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

I am asking all team members to raise a minim of £150 for my charity. Are you prepared to do this? Yes/No Cross out which does not apply

Can you help publicise the event in you local area? Yes/No Cross out which does not apply.

Food

Are you a vegetarian Tick Yes/No Cross out which does not apply

Anything you do not like to eat

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..



Can you fund raise toward your costs Yes/No Cross out which does not apply


That is the form filled in and thanks you.

You can now email it to Jack Adams on jack_adams41@msn.com
or post it to
Mr Jack Adams,
19 Imperial Crescent
Norton
Stockton-on-Tees
TS20 2ER
Tel 01642 657752


Best Wishes

Mary Laver

Working out food budget

Wednesday 24th October 07

I am now trying to work out the food budget. This budget does not include eating out.

Working on an average of 30 miles per day over 1000 miles equal 34 days

Team consitis of 2 support for me. 1 van driver 2 cyclists & me, that equals 6 people; times 4 meals per day equals 24 meals per day; times 34 days equals 816 meals

Say average £4 per meal equals £3264 for food. For snacks for along the route add £200 max food equals £3464

I am intouch with the Caravan Club of Great Britian who will tell me what the cost would be for the team to stay at their sites along the route.

Total so faras at an estimate, including petrol is Petrol £400 + £3464 = £3864

Starting to put costing together for 'Petrol'

Tuesday 23rd October 07

To day I am going to share with you how I am doing the costing. If any of you have any comments then please leave them on this blog. I will be more than intertested to read them and possible act upon them

This first one is costing out the petrol. I did it in word and copied it to past here. This should be interesting.

Petrol Requirements Miles

Distance Newcastle to Truro 460

Distance Lands End to John O’Groats approx 1000

Distance John O’Groats to Newcastle 396 miles say 400

Total distance approx for petrol 1860

Van does say 25 miles per gall = 75 galls petrol round that up to 80 galls

Petrol at say £5 per gall X 80 galls

Grand total for petrol approx £400 for petrol per vehicle

To contact me

Monday 22nd October 07

As you are reading this blog you may just be thinking that you would like to join me on part or all of the E2E challenge but do not no how to do this. Well Jack Adams of the LAND’S END – JOHN O’GROATS ASSOCIATION his email address is jack_adams41@msn.com is my contact point at this moment in time. Jack knows more about the E2E challenge than most having done it three times the last one in 2003 as support driver for my granddaughter.

Jack will be able to answer any questions you may have and will also email you an application form that I have written.

One thing that I thought about today. If any of the team join me, on a push bike for the whole trip they will become E2E'rs in their own right. Jack has agreed with that, thanks Jack

I look forward to hearing from you.

Time for things to take shape

Saturday 20th October 07

I have headed this post ' Time for things to take shape'. Anyone knows that when you are trying to put a project together that involves other people, you have to give them time to think about what you have asked of them and yourself, before the answers to the questions comes back to you. This is the stage I am now at. Very important people involved in this challenge are thinking and planning their involvement and they will come back to me with their finding.

In the mean time, there is still a lot I can do. There is the logo to design and put out for comments, and I must add, to ask others to submit ideas for a logo. The route still needs a lot of work which I cannot do with out someone here. I have to work on the challenge plan, some of the details i have included in this blog. I am still visiting E2E web sits and getting an idea of the roads I shall be travelling a long and noting land marks I must visit.

When this is all in place, I will then be in a position to recruit helper for the challenge. Some have already come forward. So if you are reading this blog and think that you might be interested in helping at any stage and any way you can, just put a reply where i have set up a volunteers list. I will get in touch with you from there and send an application form. You will be made very welcome

A slight set back

Wednesday 17th October

This morning I suffered a slight set back, in so much that a certain book would not accept my world record attempt as they say quote "Thank you for your enquiry regarding your intention to attempt the record for ‘End to End by wheelchair'. This record is currently rested, which means that no one can attempt this record and become a new record holder and therefore is not a category that we wish to pursue further." unquote.

This threw me for some time, but I got over it. I then went to 'Word Net' typed in "World Record" which came up with quote" n) world record (the best record in the whole world). This I am sure means that my attempt on the E2E in June still holds the qualification of been a "World Record" unquote, even if not in the eyes of a certain book. I shall make sure that, with Jacks help, I get all the neccessary paperwork filled in to prove without a doubt, that i have filled all of the criteria to make my E2E a World Record.

That all aside, and I had calmed down, i thought i must complie a World Record Book for Disabled People. Some names have come to mind. "The Other World Record Book". "A brands name Other World Record Book" Has anyone got any ideas i could use or comments on the idea?

I also gave some thought today to my business plan. That I should include making the application form for all of my support team. On this form besides Name, address tel no would have to be next of kin, next of kins tel no. any dietary requirements, medical condition I should no about. that sort of thing.

I also wrote to Jack Adams about the email i had received from that certain book. He helped me deal with the disappointment and told me that quote "you will be too filled with emotion on completing the ultimate UK journey." unquote. I look forward to that feeling Jack. What more of a response could I ask for. Thanks Jack.

A beautiful Autum Day

Tuesday 16th October 07.

Today, here in Newcastle, I have woken to a beautiful Autumn day. I am lucky enough to have trees at the bottom of my garden thanks to a main line railway. I just love trains.

So what have i been doing over the past few days in regards to this challenge?

A lot can be learned from reading the many, many web sits that E2E'ers have written. I try to read as much as i can. One web site I came across was a bunch a guys doing the E2E and had a video camera which they had recorded part of their trip, including the sign post at Lands End minus the head. They had refused to pay for the sign bit to be added. This is what happens when someone buys a bit of England such as Lands End. I will pay up when it comes to my turn. Anyway, back to the film. I found the film of great interest and use, as i got a glimpse of what some of the terrain is going to be like that I shall passover. To those who have not done the E2E, the film dhows a variety of landscapes from main highways with a cycle path marked, to the flat lands of moors and a ferry. Then the Scottish Highlands with its steep and long hills. The hills will not be a problem to me as my power chair will just glide up them, while my support cycling team will feel every turn of the peddle

One thing that has occurred to me as a subsequence of watching this film, is there the technology in place for me to take a web cam with me and give out live pictures as i take on the E2E challenge? A sort of Big Brother, and yes I do, did, watch Big Brother and i am proud to say it...Well I have sent Tom an email to ask him to find out if this idea of the web cam would work. I will let you all no as soon as I do.

Another thought that i have given time to is, sponsors. Should I have some form of contract drawn up between me and them, a for instance. I will do all that I can to promote their product in exchange for a small donation towards the costs of doing this challenge and a donation towards my charity. You who have done this before, what did you do as regards sponsorship?

Web page. I must get a web page made and registered ASAP. Something else I have never done before. Never needed to. Might just seek help on that one.

My last thought has been on a logo. We all need a logo. The logo will be to go on all tee-shits, hats and the vehicles. Now can anyone design a logo?

Well there you have it, today's thoughts on paper. I am going to now start on the business plan. Must visit a few more web sites for ideas.

To all E2E'ers, i wish you well and thanks for leading the way for us to follow. To all E2E'ers who are doing it in 2008. If you hear someone shout "Watch your backs, wheelchair comming through", it will probably be me overtaking you on a long steap hill"

Now where is that spell checker?

What should i do?

Saturday 13th October

When I am writing this blog i am writing to you the reader. I write as i speak. I write as if you are here in the room with me. I share my thoughts as i work towards the challenge. I even told you that i visit the Lourdes web site before i start writing. Is this what you the reader wants?

Having never written a blog before, i ask the question is this what the reader wants, or would they prefer that i use bullet points and be more direct.

If anyone of you is reading the blog perhaps you could answer this question. I would value your option. After all, it is daft to write a blog if none is to read it.

Dropted Kerbs

Friday 12th Oct

My thoughts at 0600 this morning was 'Dropped Kerbs' or the lack of them.

Every wheelchair users knows the problems and headaches that no drooped or not very good drooped kerbs can give. This little bit of kerb stone if just put 4 inches deeper would make a lot of difference to the safety and comfort of all wheelchair users and if i may add, to mums with buggies. I will leave out cyclist because nothing gets my goat up more than cyclist using the footpath. To climb a kerb stone a wheelchair user has to slow down a bit, well i do, so crossing a main road without dropped kerb stones, especially where there is a roundabout, could be very hazards.

I was reading part of the route that is in 'Simon Brown Cycle Guide, which I have now ordered price £8.99 including P&P from Cicerone Press. End of that plug. He talks about main roads with roundabouts that aredangerous. I will have to make sure that the local police are informed well in advance of me arriving at the major hazards. Yes, Eileen did get away on time, thanks for asking, and it looks cold at Lourdes. I am sure at least one person reading this blog will be wondering, now back to dropped kerbs.

I am thinking of writing a book, my second book this will be, my first book published by Pan was called "Diet for Life" you can get it on the Internet. End of my plug. Now where was I, ar yes, dropped kerbs. I think the book, which will be about this whole trip including all the leading up to it, should be called "Dropped Kerbs between Lands End and John O'Groats". What do you think to that Tom. Who is Tom? All will be reveled. The plot thickens.

Yesterday. What did i do to earn my bread? Have you noticed, I keep using cleshays. Strange! I wrote this blog. To those observant amongst you, have you notice that the date provided by blog is not correct hence i now put one in. I emailed Jack Adams two or was it three times. Very helpful chap is Jack Adams. Did some more work on the route. Emailed some disability magazines about this blog. You will beable to find it, I hope, on the "Yourable" web site http://www.youreable.com/ Had an email from Jack, well more than one, he tells me that
" Tomorrow, that is today now- buy a copy of the Northern Echo, Sharon's latest 24 hour race gets a mention." To those of you who do not no who Sharon is Sharon Gayter who holds the world record for running E2E. I shall find her web site and add it to my list. I sound like the PM at question time giving out his engagements for the day.

My life also gets interrupted by other things besides writing this blog and arranging the E2E, a for instance, I had a new fence put up yesterday, and Jack, my 'male' notice male not Molly the female, JR, noticed that a piece of Ivy was still attached to a corner of the fence and climbed it. He has never done that before, but with most males, there is always a first time for anything! I did manage to get him to come down but he went and did it again, this time humping into next doors garden, that is not he full story but you get the idea. I had to get on the telephone to my friend Alaster who left his lunch and came staight round. The ivy is now cut down.

Well blog readers, that's all for now.

Don't forget i need some bike riders. Must write to Wendy about that one. See list of web sites.

Now where is that spell checker!

Mary

To bring you upto date

The time is 0815 i am up and running, excuse the pun, and my carer has just left. My first port of call was to check my emails, like the post, the box was almost empty except the Daily Bible Reading. (DBO) the text was Luke 11 v 5-13, then i went to my favourite web site to see what was happening at the grotto in Lourdes. If you wish to see the grotto the web site is http://www.lourdes-france.org/ This sequence i do most morning.

Now that i have the God part out of the way, i now Seattle down to what ever is on my notice board to do. I would be lost without my notice board in my bedroom. Today i have to ring a paint company, have a hair cut, and i am having a new fence put up. I am also, though the challenge is still 9 months away, going to book Jack and Molly my two JR's into kennels.

So what is going into my blog today.
To anyone who uses, writes a blog using Google, do you find that the dashboard does not always work? I found this out yesterday after trying to add a second photgraph to the blog. It was of yours truly and my friends who pushed me in last years Great North Run. Also why can't we have a visitors counter?

Last night i tried to get to grips with the route. I asked Eileen to help me mark on the map two routes, sorry three, i also looked at the RAC route. It was no good. Eileen is a car user not a cyclist, walker or a wheelchair runner, so she would look at the route from car drivers perspective, not from my perspective. I need more help from Jack Adams, There must be someone who has done the E2E who is from near Newcastle. If you are reading this blog, please get in touch.

How do I get some training in? My goal of 40 miles a day is equivalent to 4 Great North Runs per day for 30 days. That is Newcastle to South Shields X 4. Even building up daily is easy for me but i need someone with me all the time. My carers cannot be expected to walk 4,5,6,10,15 per day. Apart from that been impossible, my care hours do not cover that sort of time. I will have to get a bike, that's at least £90, for them to use. At least that way i can do 6 to 8 miles aday, but what about the rest of the miles. Any one got a second hand bike! I could also do with paying for someone to come training with me, perhaps a local bike club might help. um. Will look into that one.

My chosen charity is no more. We found it is very difficult to arrange something on this scale with a few hundred miles between us, so the other charity that i do work for, is going to be "My Chosen Charity". All will be revealed.

Yesterday I tried wearing a wrist weight belt, if that makes seance! It must have been too heavy as i very quickly got pain in my arm. To deal with this, i will take some of the weights out and slowly build up.

Good news on the power chair front. I get to give the chair a test drive in about 10 days time. Adjustments will have to be made to fit me, hence the test drive. I am really looking forward to that.

Mental preparation. There are going to be stretches of road that are long and boring, especially when i am tired. I shall seak advice on the best way to cope with this. Dolphin music perhaps. Knowing my charity as i do, I just have to visualise the difference of what i am doing is going to make to so many lives. To give you a slight clue, i am sponsoring a 4 year old child with a hearing impairment. this will cost me £10 per month. I spent that amount yesterday at the Metro Centre on a meal. Something does not seem right some how. One meal for me, a months special teaching for her. End of sermon. When i get more details of her, including a picture, and if i can get it on the blog, i shall let you meet her if i am aloud.

The rest of this day, as far as the challenge goes, i am going to try and get this blog out to the big bad world. If any of you can do the same it will mean more people will get to know about my chosen chair, without which, i could not make this world record attempt. Having read up on the power chair, spoken to one or two people, i am sure we will stay together to the finishing post, then as with the round the world yachts people, we shall part company. The chair to face what every lies ahead if it as a world record holder...Me, well who knows what life will hold. Hand on heart I hope that I will have enabled a hospital to stay open and four nurses to ride 125 motor bikes around their village's, another clue. We are not talking England..

Now where is my notice board. Time 0900

Web sites and Blog here

This is where i shall put all web sites and bloggs that are mentioned in the blog

Jack Adams http://www.landsendjohnogroats.com/

Wendy Creed http://www.rsct.org.uk/pages/our_route.htm

Sharon Gayer http://www.sharongayter.com/lejog.htm

Guinness Book of Records http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/register/login.aspx

Caravan Club of GB http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/

Chris Adams Drinkup http://www.thedrinkup.com/

Darly May http://www.mylongwalk.com/

Film I watched http://www.harrowway.hants.sch.uk

Diary

This post will be a diary of happenings on my journey to prepare for the challenge. I have had this challenge in the back of my mind for many years but always thought that doing the E2E in a power wheel chair a bit of a check, i am glad to say that by contacting Jack Adams of the Lands End John o' Groats Association I find that this assumption so wrong. There are some email in between so i am only recording important ones

Diary with dates 07

28th Aug Emailed Jack Adams at the Lands End John o' Groats Association.
30th Aug. Email from Jack. There is no record of anyone doing the E2E in a Power wheelchair
30th Aug. Made contact with my chosen charity to outline my plan and ask them to be my chosen charity.
30th Aug. Different emails with Jack, ref best time of year.
30th chosen Charity fund raiser to put my proposed to the trustees
1st Sep sent of to chosen charity showing this is a first attempt and so if complected, a world record.
8th Sept. From Jack I received Charlie Hankins route.
10th Sep. Email from Sustrans ref cycle maps
13th Wrote and relieved email from a Power chair company
13th Contacted Jack about a positive result with power chair
Reat of on the 13th about the power chair
14th Sept. Made first enquires about os maps
14th Found details on the web and made contact with Sharon about a lady who has a world record on the E2E
15th. Big day. Applied to the Guinness Book of Records.
16th Bought Jack upto date about the book
17th Email Chris Adams from 'Drinkup' about attempt
17th Received documents via email to fill in from 'The Book'. This is to be faxed back. The rules make a good read.
19th Guinness confirm they have received my faxed documents
19th Sept Starting to think about Pr company
20th Sept Made contact with PR company
Various emails
24th Sept Made contact with charity
26th Sept Made contact with Wendy who has already done E2E
27th Sept Ordered OS maps
4th Oct Made contact with Caravan Club
4th Oct started to write this blog
Variuos emails
5th Oct Email from Daryl he has been to my blog and he likes it. Made my day
Various Email
9th Oct. My first chosen charit and I decided to part due to the distance between us. Hard to get together. Got intouch with my second choice.
10th Oct Spoke to power wheelchair company. They will bring me a chair in about 10 days to try and see what modications I will need.
17th Oct The Guinness Book of Records turned me down. See entry 16th Oct

Can you join me on the route

During this attempt at the world record i will need a lot of support for approx 30 days. I am looking at all the days in June. You can join me for a day, a week, the whole challenge. It is upto you.

To make this attempt I need the following support and must be made up minimum of

2 Cyclist per day
1 driver per day
1 pref 2 carer to look after all my personal care.
1 extra car with driver if possible forgoing on ahead and setting up camp site

More than the above are very welcome. I have one friend who is a marathon runner and said will be running with me part of two days. Another new friend has said she would like to be one of the cyclist, again just for a day or two.

Your board and food will be meet by me thought fund raising, but if you would like to put goodies into the food kitty ie, free veg, tins of food milk, then it will be gratefully received.

We shall, where possible, be staying in good camp sites and part of the team will go on ahead to make up the camp site and cook the evening meal. Well that is the plan at the moment.

I have already got a friend who is a nurse willing to join me for 10 days

Please put your names below and the days you can help and the type of help you can give.

Thanks.

Mary

Equiptment I will need

Guys and Girls

I thought you might find it interesting to no what personal, medical supplies and equipment i will need for this challenge. Some, like the power wheelchair are obvious, but the wee bottle i need to wee on route from my chair may not be. Going behind the nearest bush for me is a no go unless i can get there in my power chair and the bush is big enough to accommodate me and my supporter. One thing i must decide is what do i call the different members of my support team...

The list..I shall add to this as they come to mind.

Basic equipment
1. VW Van that is suitable for me to have all my personal care done in, it must also beable to transport me and 2 wheelchairs safely. This i am please to say is now been looked into
2. The power chair for the challenge. This has now been chosen, but until the manufactures are ready to announce their interest i will keep the name under raps for the time being.
3. Spare wheelchair batterers to be charged by means i have not decided. Charge by the van or a generator.
4. A second wheelchair. This i will be using when i am not engaged in the challenge. Even walkers and riders have a second pair of shoes.
5. Trailer to hold all camping equipment. As things stand at the moment, the support team will be in tents, i plus one will sleep in the VW.
6. Camping equipment.


My personal equipment
1. Commode. I cannot use your ordinary loos. Remember i am none weight bearing. i will need this also for when i get a shower
2. A mobile hoist with sling
3. My drinking cups with straw. Because i cannot hold a cup i use a special lightweight cup with a straw. This cup i can hold with my thum.
4. Drinking jug for my night drinks. Remember it has to be hands free. This is supplied by 'Drinkup' They have also designed a cup that is hands free that i can attach to my power chair.
5. Terry towling to roll up and support my neck at night
6. Two sheepskins for my elbows. One large one to sleep on.
7. Pads. I
8 My portable weeing bottle to enable me to wee from the Power Chair
9. Cycling gloves.
10. Special clothing designed to be used by a wheelchair user

First Drtaft of a Route

Guys and Girls

This is the first draft of the route taking into account average 40 miles per day and camp sites.
Your comments please.


First Draft of route
Day 1 Lands End to St Just 05.0
Day 1 St Just to Perranporth 35.5
Day 2 Perranporth to Tintagel 37.3
Day 3 Tintagel to Bideford 42.7
Day 4 Bideford to Minehead 45.8
Day 5 Minehead to Cheddar 44.3
Day 6 Cheddar to Bristol 18.7
Day 7 Bristol to Cheltenham 43.8
Day 8 Cheltenham to Kidderminster 39.4
Day 9 Kidderminster to Shrewsbury 34.6
Day 10 Shrewsbury to Chester 41.6
Day 11 Chester to Preston 47.9
Day 12 Preston to Blackpool Day Off 61st Birthday
Day 13Preston to Kendal 44.8
Day 14 Kendal to Carlisle 45.1
Day 15 Carlisle to Dumfries 34.1
Day 16 Dumfries to Cumnock 43.3
Day 17 Cumnock to Ayr 16.1 1/2 day break
Day 18 Ayr to Glasgow 36.1
Day 19 All day in Glasgow 00.0 Day Off

Day 20 Glasgow to Doune 37.1
Day 21 Doune to Killin 28.8
Day 22Killin to Pitlochry 37.1
Day 23Pitlochry to Newtonmore 40.9
Day 24 Newtonmore to Culloden 46.4
Day 25 Culloden to Dornoch 45.4
Day 26 Dornoch to Berriedale 37.8
Day 27 Berriedale to John O’Groats 42.2

World Record” 972.0 miles

There are 2 extra free days. I must leave Lands End 1st June 2008 and arrive John O'Groats 29th June 2008

Where do you come from?

Guys and Girls

I thought it may be of interest if at the end of your comments you may like to add where you come from, like me, i come from the Great North East, Newcastle upon Tyne, but many years ago I must add that I am really from Birmingham.

Last Night Oct 4th

Hi there.
Guess what. I have just discovered a spell check on the blog compose. Talk about when all else fails!

Right, last night, Eileen, one of my carers, and myself, after doing mountains of paperwork, open the Caravan Clubs map that shows all their camp sites. I can nearly book my first camp site for the first two night, it will help when i get the starting date I mean, the night before my record attempt and the end of the first day. I was a wonderful feeling. What else did we discuss? How long does it take to get from Newcastle to Lands End. Eileen has done it many times as she often holidays in Cornwall. We spoke about all the places to visit in that area, but hang on i said, i cannot stop and sight see as much as i want to, this is a 'world record' attemp.. Eileen recons on 12 hrs to drive down, but that is with her driving. I recon on double that. That will add on 2 days to the starting date. Should I take with me Jack and Molly my 2 JR puppies? What do you think? yes or no to puppies, or are they vanashed to the dog kennels! You must decide. Have you heard that saying before somewhere!

Someone has left a comment on the page about my spelling, must check it out.

Mar

Talking about my disability

As a disabled person it is not my want to talk about my disability, not many disabled people do. If any disabled people are reading this blog, i would value their views on this point.

So what is my disability?
In medical terms, i have Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) (hope that is spelt right!). I have had RA since the age of 26 and newly married. Diet has kept the RA, especially the pain, under control

In my 40 year my much loved farther died. The shock, it is felt, went to my weakest point, my RA. I soon discovered I had difficulty in staying as physically fit as i was. My pain was not then and still now not a problem as i have managed to stay pain free 99% of time. This has ment I take no pain killers, except the very odd brufen if i cheat on my diet. Though my pain was still under controll I could not prevent my joints slowly ging arthritic with the effect it was to be left within 2 years, Wheelchair depenednt and needing two new knees, quickly followed by two new elbow joint replacements. My hands just went stiff with the joint linings breaking down.

Let me now skip the in between bits, a bit messy, marriage, divorce that sort of thing, and come up to date.

My RA has left me totally wheelchair dependent, notice I said dependent not bound, i am not tied to my wheelchair! I am also human dependent, in so much as i cannot do every day things like use my hands to feed, wash and write, stand up on my two feet; I have not stood on my own two feet for approx 18 years now and i am 60, just.

Due to the extent of my disability i am been looked after by a wonderful caring team made up of 6 paid carers and my friends also play an important part in my life. For those of you who are interested, I am on Direct Payments (DP) and thought DP pay my own staff. O nearly for got, Joan, my close friend, invented me a stick with a woad of cotton wool on the end, covered with a handkerchief. i use this to scratch my noise, push my glasses up and fall asleep during sermons and boring lectures.

As you will now gather, i cannot self propel myself and have used a power wheelchair for about 16 years. A powered wheelchair is the only way i can get around, that is why i have chosen the Power Wheelchair for this challenge. This will make it an extreme challenge to me. One I hope to relish.

So there you have it in a nutshell..My disability

In closing i would like to add that I am not brave, I am not wonderful or any of those other words abled bodied people like to say about disabled people, i am just me, getting on with life, with the cards life has dealt me..

To you all. Thanks for reading this blog and taking an interest in my E2E attempt.

Mary

Bring blogg upto date

Since starting this blogg i have done a number of things to get this world record attemp into action.
1. I have contacted The Guniness Book of Records to regestar the attempy
2, I have joined the Lands End John o' Groats Association. They have checked their records and this E2E has not been done
3. I have made contact with my chosen charity who are making out a business plan
4. I have chosen my power wheelchair
5. I have been looking at possible routes
6. I have bought a set of OS Maps
7. I have joined The Caravan Club of Gb
8. I have approached some "Names"
9. I have made contact with two people who have done the E2E
10. I spoke to the people who manufactor the power chair and they are bringing me a chair for me to try
11. Found out that when making an attempt at a world record it is never very far from ones thought.