28 January 08
An update on progress.
I said at the very beginning of this blog that I would keep you informed of how I progress thought organising and I hope completing the E2E Challenge in a power wheelchair.
Over the past few months I have planned what I feel needs to be done to enable me to attempt the E2E challenge, writing this blog has born this out.
Three major factors, to me, were, are, as important as the other. My chosen charity. After making contact with Vincent Moran of Arthritis Care, and after exchanging a few emails, I soon realised that my chosen charity was going to be the one whom I could relate to. One that I also felt that I could speak with a lot of conviction about; a charity who help 9 million people, who live their every day lives, with one of the 200 or so arthritic conditions known about; a charity who, in the past, when I have asked for help, they willing gave it; that charity is, as you have read a number of times is Arthritis Care. I have also found that the members of Arthritis Care are also willing to help me in any way they can with the challenge I have set myself and I am doing it for. This has made me feel that I am not doing this alone, if that makes sense. For that factor along I say thank you to Arthritis Care.
The next factor, was, and still is, the power chair that I shall be using. You all know, if you are reading this blog, how I feel about the Alber Adventure, got the name right now. Gerald-Simonds wish me to have an assessment by them so I can discuss the modifications that I require above the standard chair, elevating back, different foot plates, ect. When this is all done, it will not be too long before I have Alber, I cannot keep calling him Alber Adventure, will be joined together and get out there and have some training. 40 miles in a car does not seem very far, but in a power wheelchair, at an average of 5 miles per hour, that is 6 hours of continuance travelling, is totally different. I spend more than 6 hours per day, in my Balder power wheelchair, but that is mainly in my home or the local area. I have devised a round the houses route locally, and when Alber and I get together, I shall be out there, slowly building the miles up so that by the time I set out on the challenge, Alber and I will have done 40 miles quite a few times.
The third factor is my team. You all know that I cannot do this without a team of people to help me. Well I am please to report that 3 of my own cares have volunteered their own time to join me each one taking a different stage. Also I am very please to report, a very close friend, who has looked after me in the past is also taking on one of the stages. This means that on all 4 stages, someone from my own care team will be with me with full knowledge of how to care for my needs. This means one more very important piece in the jigsaw. I still need at lest two people per day, preferable three, to be part of my care team, plus bike riders, van drivers, cheer leaders, ect. So if any of you reading this blog can give up even 24 hrs to help, then please email me. No matter what else I do to make this challenge happen, no matter how good Alber and I train, no matter how much I can raise for Arthritis Care, without the help of a support team, it will not happen. I cannot go.
Now the hard slog starts. I have already started sending out letters to major companies and ordinary people to help raise funds for my charity. Funds are also needed to feed and water the team, approx £600, I also need petrol for 2 vehicles approx £400. If you feel you can help here, I am canvassing for supper market gift vouchers that I can exchange for groceries and petrol. You can send the vouchers to Vincent Moran, detail below.
Then there is fund raising for my £7000 target. There are two ways people can help, by going to the JustGiving web site www.justgiving.com/powerwheelchairchallenge
Or by sending a donation cheque to
Vincent Moran Fund Raiser & Events Team.
Arthritis Care,
18 Stephenson Way,
London
NW1 2HD
Tel 020 7380 6500
So there you have it. An update, and there are still more updates to come because there are still more thing that are ‘in the pipe line’. I will revel all as soon as I can.
Now where is that TV remote!
An update on progress.
I said at the very beginning of this blog that I would keep you informed of how I progress thought organising and I hope completing the E2E Challenge in a power wheelchair.
Over the past few months I have planned what I feel needs to be done to enable me to attempt the E2E challenge, writing this blog has born this out.
Three major factors, to me, were, are, as important as the other. My chosen charity. After making contact with Vincent Moran of Arthritis Care, and after exchanging a few emails, I soon realised that my chosen charity was going to be the one whom I could relate to. One that I also felt that I could speak with a lot of conviction about; a charity who help 9 million people, who live their every day lives, with one of the 200 or so arthritic conditions known about; a charity who, in the past, when I have asked for help, they willing gave it; that charity is, as you have read a number of times is Arthritis Care. I have also found that the members of Arthritis Care are also willing to help me in any way they can with the challenge I have set myself and I am doing it for. This has made me feel that I am not doing this alone, if that makes sense. For that factor along I say thank you to Arthritis Care.
The next factor, was, and still is, the power chair that I shall be using. You all know, if you are reading this blog, how I feel about the Alber Adventure, got the name right now. Gerald-Simonds wish me to have an assessment by them so I can discuss the modifications that I require above the standard chair, elevating back, different foot plates, ect. When this is all done, it will not be too long before I have Alber, I cannot keep calling him Alber Adventure, will be joined together and get out there and have some training. 40 miles in a car does not seem very far, but in a power wheelchair, at an average of 5 miles per hour, that is 6 hours of continuance travelling, is totally different. I spend more than 6 hours per day, in my Balder power wheelchair, but that is mainly in my home or the local area. I have devised a round the houses route locally, and when Alber and I get together, I shall be out there, slowly building the miles up so that by the time I set out on the challenge, Alber and I will have done 40 miles quite a few times.
The third factor is my team. You all know that I cannot do this without a team of people to help me. Well I am please to report that 3 of my own cares have volunteered their own time to join me each one taking a different stage. Also I am very please to report, a very close friend, who has looked after me in the past is also taking on one of the stages. This means that on all 4 stages, someone from my own care team will be with me with full knowledge of how to care for my needs. This means one more very important piece in the jigsaw. I still need at lest two people per day, preferable three, to be part of my care team, plus bike riders, van drivers, cheer leaders, ect. So if any of you reading this blog can give up even 24 hrs to help, then please email me. No matter what else I do to make this challenge happen, no matter how good Alber and I train, no matter how much I can raise for Arthritis Care, without the help of a support team, it will not happen. I cannot go.
Now the hard slog starts. I have already started sending out letters to major companies and ordinary people to help raise funds for my charity. Funds are also needed to feed and water the team, approx £600, I also need petrol for 2 vehicles approx £400. If you feel you can help here, I am canvassing for supper market gift vouchers that I can exchange for groceries and petrol. You can send the vouchers to Vincent Moran, detail below.
Then there is fund raising for my £7000 target. There are two ways people can help, by going to the JustGiving web site www.justgiving.com/powerwheelchairchallenge
Or by sending a donation cheque to
Vincent Moran Fund Raiser & Events Team.
Arthritis Care,
18 Stephenson Way,
London
NW1 2HD
Tel 020 7380 6500
So there you have it. An update, and there are still more updates to come because there are still more thing that are ‘in the pipe line’. I will revel all as soon as I can.
Now where is that TV remote!
