31 January 08

Please copy this letter and all cont and pass it on. Thanks

Mary Laver
c/o Vincent Moran
Arthritis Care,
18 Stephenson Way,
London
NW1 2HD

Email mary.laver.e2e@googlemail.com

25 January 2008

Dear Sir/Madam

Lands End to John O’Groats in an Alber Adventure Power Wheelchair for Arthritis Care 1/29 June 2008

As a person with severe Rheumatoid Arthritis, totally power wheelchair and human dependent, and being 60, I felt I needed to find a challenge for 2008, a challenge that would really give me a sense of achievement and help, at the same time, to raise funds for a charity close to my heart, Arthritis Care.

Not being the sort of person to do things in half, I decided that I would like to do a challenge that I always said it would like to do but never got around to doing it, the ultimate English challenge, what else could it be but ‘The Lands End to John O’Groats Challenge’; in my case not on a bike or walking it but in a power wheelchair. The distance, give or take, is approximately 1000 miles, 1600 klm. I then decided to set a high target of raising £7000 for my charity. This challenge I decided, deserved such a target. Easy to write, takes a lot of hard work to achieve.

At the very heart of this challenge is not me but the people, the team of carers and helpers that I need to look after me, six in all, whom I cannot get to first base, I am now actively seeking such people. I also have to find for my support team, food and drink. Working this out means I have to find food and drink for six people, times four meals per day. Then there is the power wheelchair that I will use; one, preferably two vehicles, to move us all around. Added to this list is accommodation in the form of tents, a caravan, or a shelter of some description. Camp sites for the nights rest. Lastly I need to find approx £250 for petrol, per vehicle

Having worked on this plan since October, I am finding it is slowly coming together. The Caravan Club of Great Britain is helping with camp sites. Three of my carers have said they will help with a stage. I have chosen my power wheelchair, The Alber Adventure, and the tracking device I was looking for has been found, a device called a Geboa, but there are still many gaps to fill to make this challenge a reality.

I now need to find more volunteers to look after my personal care, not any easy job. I need the funds to feed the whole team; a shelter in the form of a 6 berth caravan, and or three tents, and or a solid shelter, the petrol for the vehicles, last but not least, that all important donations to my £7000 target for Arthritis Care.

Through all my planning stages I have been in contact with Arthritis Care and have been giving good, sound advice which I have taken on board so they know what I am doing and where I am at. They are supporting me in anyway they can. Also I have been in contact with Graham Jeffery Gerald-Simonds, the supplier of the Alber Adventure.

I am now writing to companies, organisation, voluntary groups, to seek help and or sponsorship for the challenge I have set myself.

That request is in two parts. Firstly, and very importantly, because this is what the challenge is all about, raising funds for Arthritis Care, can you sponsor me with a donation to Arthritis Care? Secondly, I need sponsorship for the items to support the teams. A full list is included in appendix A.

So what will I give you in return for your support? As far advertising with arthritis care goes, I must direct you to Arthritis Care and Vincent Moran, details enclosed. As for myself, I will promote your company, organisation on my blog, an average of 10 people per day visit the blog, I hope to be able to put all supporting logos on my vehicle. I will give out any promotion material that is deemed suitable as I go along the route. The team will have tee-shirts with sponsor’s logos on it. I will also mention, when possible, your involvement to the media. I will do anything else possible at times as they present themselves.

Attached to this letter is what I would call a business plan. This plan gives details of my chosen charity; the proposed route and dates of where I should be along the route, my requirements for personal assistances, vehicles, camping equipment, and petrol.

Can I now thank you for reading this letter. I know that your time is valuable.

If you feel you can help in the challenge, then please contact me or Vincent Moran at Arthritis Care. I can assure you that your help and support will be gratefully received.

Yours sincerely

Mary Laver
http://www.powerwheelchaire2e.blogspot.com/