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/

Please Pass On. cont

Please pass on cont.

Appendix A.

This appendix gives you details of how you can help.

The main reason for doing this challenge is to raise awareness of the work that Arthritis Care do and as a fund raise for them. If you would like to make a donation to Arthritis Care there are two ways:

By going to the JustGiving web site www.justgiving.com/powerwheelchairchallenge

By sending a donation cheque to
Vincent Moran Fund Raiser & Events Team.
Arthritis Care,
18 Stephenson Way,
London
NW1 2HD
Tel 020 7380 6500

Other ways you can help

I need to feed and water a team of 6 people maximum, 4 meals per day for 30 days approximately £20 per day
That will equal approximately £600.

To help with feeding the team you could make a donation of supermarket vouchers for any supermarket. These vouchers will be exchanged for groceries. If you prefer, send me a cheque to me stating what you are donating towards, and that cheque will go straight into a Barclays Bank Account I have opened.

Any vouchers or monies left at the end of the challenge will be sent to Arthritis Care for their fundraising efforts.

I need petrol. for two vehicles.
Say 25 miles per gallon / 1000 = 40 galls x 2 vehicles
80 galls of petrol at say £5 per gallon equals £400 for petrol.

On my shopping list is also.
The hire of a van or car to follow me as a safety vehicle.

The challenge has to be covered by insurance.

I am also including a list of support team members I am looking for just incase you know of anyone.

Lastly the route I shall be travelling.

Thanks for your help.

Mary Laver

Please Pass On Cont.

Please pass on contu.

Besides looking for funds I am also looking for team members as follows

I am looking for team members

My personal support team.
2/3 people required.
There will be no lifting involved. I use an electric mobile hoist.

My personal support team will be working in 2's. I am totally human dependent so my personal support team will need to be able to assist my carer who will be with me, in feeding, watering, showing, clothing me and help my carer when needed, is assisting with my toileting. I also need someone to help me during the as I will need my wee bottle. I usually can call for this help 2 to 3 times on the shift, I also will require pastels during the night as I get a dry mouth. I have been known to sleep right through, but not very often. If I can find 3 people to work this part of the team, all the better, then one person is always on stand down.

Experience in care is not needed as one of my carers will be on hand at all time, so we both can talk people through what is needed. The one question I always get asked is do I mind male carers. The answer is I do not have a problem with that so long as the are a nurse or doctor..

Drivers/Cyclist
For safty reasons I need at least one cyclist to be with me and a driver in a car or van following me. I have a cycle and I am looking at trying to hire an electric van. If you have a car/van and are willing to use it then that would be a great help. Your petrol will be provided during the challenge. I am looking at getting a second van to go on ahead and set up the accommodation for the nights stop so will need a second driver for that.

People to help with fundraising along the route.
One of the reasons I am doing this challenge is to raise funds for Arthritis Care. We need as many people as possible to get involved with fund raising. Please contact your local group to see how you can help.To apply for any of the above post can you please either email me mary.lavere2e@googlemail.com. or you can write to me Mary Laver 6 Croft Avenue, Forest Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 9JX Tel 0191 266 5197 or you can email Vincent Moran vincentm@arthritiscare.org.uk for more details and an application form.

You are invited to join any of the teams for any of the days. If you are a cyclist and cycle the whole route with me, you can claim to be an E2E er in your own right. You could get your own sponsorship and add it to the overall fundraising pot.Please remember I cannot do this challenge without a support team, so please give some thought as to whether you can get involved and get the word out.All of your food and accommodation will be provided.

This whole challenge is going to be great fun and hard work for us all, but what an event to take part in. I am scared stiff but at the same time very excited and just want to get to the starting line at Lands End. Will you be there with me? I do hope so.

Please Pass On Cont.

Please print and pass on cont.

Please pass on cont.
If you would like to follow my progress and or come out and give me some support this is the planned route.

Mary Laver
The Route

Stage 1
Sunday 1 Lands End to St Just 05.0Sunday 1 St Just to Perranporth 35.5Monday 2 Perranporth to Tintagel 37.3Tuesday 3 Tintagel to Bideford 42.7Wednesday 4 Bideford to Minehead 45.8Thursday 5 Minehead to Cheddar 44.3Friday 6 Cheddar to Bristol 18.7

Stage 2
Saturday 7 Bristol to Cheltenham 43.8Sunday 8 Cheltenham to Kidderminster 39.4Monday 9 Kidderminster to Shrewsbury 34.6Tuesday 10 Shrewsbury to Chester 41.6Wednesday 11 Chester to Preston 47.9Thursday 12 Preston to Blackpool Day Off 61st BirthdayFriday 13 Preston to Kendal 44.8Saturday 14 Kendal to Carlisle 45.1

Stage 3
Sunday 15 Carlisle to Dumfries 34.1Monday 16 Dumfries to Cumnock 43.3Tuesday 17 Cumnock to Ayr 16.1 1/2 day breakWednesday 18 Ayr to Glasgow 36.1Thursday 19 All day in Glasgow 00.0 Day Off

Stage 4
Friday 20 Glasgow to Callander 37.0Saturday 21 Callander to Crianlarich 30.0Sunday 22 Crianlarich to Glencoe 36.0Monday 23 Glencoe to Gairlochy 27.0Tuesday 24 Gairlochy to Borlum 43.0Wednesday 25 Borlum to Dingwall 44.0Thursday 26 Dingwall to Lairge 37.0Friday 27 Lairge to Syre to Bettyhill 41.0 Saturday 28 Bettyhil to Thurso 30.0 Sunday 29 Thurso to John O’Groats 21.0

Finishing time 1400 hrs
World Record!!!

Poster. Please Pass On. Thanks

I Am Doing The
Lands End to John O’Groats Challenge
In Alber Adventure Power Wheelchair
In Aid Of
Arthritis Care
1st/29th June 2008

Would You Like To Be
Part of My Support Team?

Volunteers Required For:
Cyclists
Personal Assistance
Fund Raisers
Car/Van Drivers

You can be part of the team for
1 Day up to 30 days

All Food and Accommodation Included
For More Details Visit My Blog
www.powerwheelchaire2e.blogspot.com
or
email mary.laver.e2e@googlemail.com

Update From Jack Adams

28 January 08

Message from Jack Adams

Hi Mary

I made a mistake with one of the cycling world records.

The mens world record is now held by Gethin Butler, in September 2001 he he completed the journey in 1 day, 20hrs, 4 minutes and 19 seconds.The ladies record is held by Lynne Taylor who broke her own record in October 2002 in a time of 2 days, 4hrs, 45 minutes and 11 seconds.T

This was brought to my attention by one of our committee members who is a keen cyclist.

Regards

Jack

An Update

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!

Are You Doing the LE2JOG This Year?

27 January 08

Are you planning to do the LE2JOG this year?

If any of you are planning to take part, for what ever reason, in the Lands End 2 John O'Groats challenge, this year, then I will be only too please to include your details on my blog.

Just send me your detail, and if you wish, a small written piece about you challenge, to mary.laver.e2e.@googlemail.com and i shall include you in the blog.

I would be very interested to hear from anyone who will be taking on the challenge between 1/29 June, 08 and hopefully we can exchange our experiences.

Can You Please Hold a Fund Raising Event

25th January 08
Can you please hold a fund raising event

I have been thinking over the past few days, how I can get the many readers, from all over the world, that are reading my blog, involved with my fundraising effort. The answer came back, could you hold a fund raising event and send the proceeds to Vincent Moran at Arthritis Care.

The event need not be large, a coffee morning, a fancy dress day at work, anything you like. I just want to unite all of my readers in this challenge.

If you are going to join in, can you please send your donation to
Vincent Moran, Arthritis Care, 18 Stephenson Way, London NW1 2HD

I am now taking the day off and going to a very wet and windy coast.

Thanks.

A Few LEJOG Facts & Records

25 January 08

Few facts about E2E'ers From Jack Adams. Thanks Jack

A few LEJOG facts and records
--------------------------------------
The name John o’ Groats takes its name from Jan de Groot, a Dutchman who obtained a grant for the ferry from the Scottish mainland to Orkney, recently acquired from Norway, from James IV in 1496. Jan de Groot is buried at Carnisbay Kirk.

One of the first recorded end to end journeys was by a Cornishman Robert Carlyle in 1879, he pushed a wheel barrow from Lands End to John o’ Groats, the barrow was thought to be use to transport his suitcase.

Since these early days end to ending has escalated to almost a national sport, with many well known names such as Sir Jimmy Savill and Sir Ian Botham and the late Jane Tomlinson The trend was probably kick started by Dr Barbara Moore, this prompted Sir Billy Butlin to organise his ill fated end to end race in February 1960, 725 competitors started hoping to win the first prize of £1000, when the time limit expired only 113 people finished. The winner of the men’s race was Jim Musgrave, a 38 year old glass blower from Doncaster in a time of 15 days, 14 hours, 31 minutes. Second man home was 26 year old John Grundy 1hr 22 minutes behind the winner. The ladies winner was 18 year old Wendy Lewis from Liverpool, who along with Jim Musgrave also received £1000. The second lady home was Mrs Beryl Randle aged 31 from Walsall also received £1000 because of her bravery, she was leading with only 30 miles to go, but was forced to rest her swollen ankle at Camborne. Third lady home was 17 year old Carol Dodds, the youngest lady home was 16 year old Miss J Terry in 13th place, the oldest lady, Mrs A Nicholas aged 62 finished 24th.

It is estimated that over 200 people every year complete the ultimate UK journey, it is almost impossible to gauge the true number as many never register their journey. We at the Lands End John o’ Groats Association average over 50 new members every year, this fails to take into account present members who complete the journey for a second or third time.

The solo cycle record set by Andy Wilkinson in 1990 stands at 45hrs 2 minutes 18 seconds. Andy also holds the windcheater recumbent record of 41hrs 5 minutes set in 1996; he also shares the tandem record with Lynne Taylor of 51hrs 19 minutes 23 seconds in 2000.
These pale into insignificance with the fastest end to end, the record is 46 minutes 44 seconds set by a Phantom jet fighter plane.

One of the most remarkable modern day end to ends took place in 2006, Sharon Gayter completed the 834 miles in 12 days 16 Hours 23 Minutes thus setting a new ladies world record, all this after suffering a quad injury.

Charlie Hankins was a WW11 veteran who lost both legs in 1943 in North Africa. After being placed in the Royal Star and Garter home in Surrey, Charlie decided to raise funds for the home, after many local fund raising journeys in his Hand propelled tricycle wheelchair he took on the end to end challenge not once but twice. Charlie passed away in 2004 but his name lives on in the trophy that bears his name that is competed for every year at the Association.

We normally link cowboys to Americans (or dodgy builders) definitely not Bolton or Blackpool. In June July and August 2005, Texas Red aka Peter Darwent and Pony Bob Sanderson set out from JOG on their horses Josie Wailes and Miss Kitty, (I kid you not) and Belle Star the mule. The pair of them lived as cowboys of old, sleeping under the stars even in the rain, they were assisted by Red’s ex Wife Edna and a lady called Barbara and “Dicko” and Sarah the dog, she is a cross between a Husky and a wolf, however she had the most placid nature of any dog I have met. Together this intrepid band completed the journey in 69 days.

These are only a small number of memorable journeys; every one has a tale to tell, at the LEJOG Association, we are always on the lookout for new members and new stories, so get walking, cycling, driving or what ever means you choose, but do this fantastic journey, it is something you will remember as long as you live.

Don’t just say “I would love to do that, DO IT”

Please, I Need You To Help Me

As a disabled person because of Rheumatoid Arthritis, who is also totally wheelchair and human dependent, there are not many challenges that I can do that would be classed as a World Record, and at the same time help to raise awareness and funding for the charity that is there to help people who also have some form of arthritis, I am of course referring to Arthritis Care. I can only attempt this world record if I have a team of people to help me. Would you consider being part of that team?
You can join at any stage, for as many days as you wish. You will find more details on this blog.
Mary

Calling All Arthritis Care Groups

23 January 08

Calling all Arthritis Care Groups

I am trying to contact as many Arthritis Care Groups that are on the West side of the England and those in Scotland as I can.

Why am I trying to contact you? Well I need your help in a massive fund raiser for Arthritis Care. Will you please, in this first instance, email me on mary.laver.e2e@googlemail.com just leave me your contact details or email Vincent Moran vincentm@arthritiscare.org.uk and he will pass you details onto me I shall get back you with more information

Thank you..

Lands End to John O'Groats, E2E, LEJOG, LE2JOG

22nd January 08

Lands End to John O'Groats, E2E, LEJOG, LE2JOG.

No matter how you write down the journey that takes you from one end of Great Britain to the other, you will find web pages, blogs of people by various means, have done this incredible journey I am sure, they will all say it is a .... long way. It is my intention between the 1/29 June 08 to be one of those people.

I have read stories of a group of people who pulled a truck all the way.

I have read a story about a chap who did it on horseback.

The one that I personal admire is a guy who self pushed the whole route in a DHSS wheelchair. And yes I know of a guy who has done the E2E in a power wheelchair, well he used 3 powerwheelchairs in a day and if my memory serves me right, he took 6 weeks.

One guy did try to do the E2E the other way around in a power wheelchair, but he tipped the chair over and had to withdraw.

Then there are the thousands who have done it on a bike.

The ones i really admire, the ones who have run and walked the E2E.

The list also includes a jet fighter.

I could go on, but none has done the E2E in one power wheelchair, in 4 weeks, being an old age lady, totally wheelchair and human dependent and a women. That is where I come in. I am that old lady who is going to join the ranks of E2E'er.

Above you will see two pictures. One represents the charity I am going to do this for, Arthritis Care and the other is a picture of me, in the Alber Adventure, you could say the who I am doing it for- Arthritis Care, the what i am doing it in- The Alber Adventure, the where is the UK , the when 1/29 June 08.

All of the above is bringing me to one main point. I have the money arranged for the van I will be using, I now have a nice new hoist, arrangements are now in place to obtain the Alber Adventure complete with a full set of spar parts, I even know the route, but without a support team all of the above is pointless.

Mary, that's me, needs you, that's you. No experience necessary.

I need you as van/car drivers.

I need you as cyclists.

I need you as stage housekeeper, that means making sure that the stage you are housekeeping for runs smoothly, that we are all feed and watered, that the next sleeping stop is all set up, in other words be like a mother hen to her chicks.

I need you to be part of my personal support team - no experience needed just a willingness to look after me including my personal care, and that includes giving me to the shower, dressing me, toliting me including wiping my bottom. Even the queen has to wipe her own bottom. Sorry for that Mam. Feeding me. Putting me in my Alber using my nice new hoist. Training can and will be given if required.

I need you to fund raise along the route.

I need you to cheer my team along the route, even when it is raining.

I just need you.

What will you get in return.

Lets say I can give you 5 experiences.

1. The experience of helping fund raise for Arthritis Care in a way that has never happened before.

2. The experience of looking after a severely disabled lady, namely me.

3. The experience of taking part in part of or all of, the UK's biggest challenge, E2E. If anyone wants to join me for the whole journey that is just great. You will become E2E'er in your own right.

4 The experience of making new friends.

5 The experience of living in different types of accommodation, from a tent, a hut, a caravan to I hope, but cannot grantee, a hotel; being part of this epect, life changing, journey Now can you really give up the opportunity of all of this! No. I totally agree.

To join my my team, just email me at mary.laver.e2e@googlemail.com or email Vincent Moran <vincentm@arthritiscare.org.uk> and an application form will be sent.

Now to do a spell check!

Sponsoring Me Another Way

21 January 08

Sponsoring me another way

Sponsorship
For those of you, who for what ever reason, cannot or do not wish to use JustGiving web site to sponsor me on this challenge, then you can send a cheque or PO, made payable to Arthritis Care and send it to Vincent Moran, Arthritis Care, 18 Stephenson Way, London NW1 2HD

Being part of my team
Vincent is also the person whom to contact if you wish to support me by being on my team. His email address is vincentm@arthritiscare.org.uk or you can send me an email to masry.laver.e2e@googlemail.com

Please remember that without my support team this challenge and massive fundraising challenge for Arthritis Care just cannot happen.

Mary Needs You No caring experience required

What Have I Been Doing?

20 January 08

What have I been doing over the last few days?

Molift
I have obtained the much needed portable hoist that I needed; the one that I have chosen is the Molift. This hoist breaks down into two pieces and is light enough to carry or pull along. If you wish to visit the web site that has more detail please go to… www.molift.com/uk/index.

Making up a food box
I have now started to collect items for the grocery box. So far I have two large jars of coffee, one large box of tea bags, two bags of chocolate biscuits, one box of muesli. If any readers could start a grocery box for the challenge, then can you please let me know. I am looking at feeding 6 people 4 meals per day. Quite a tall order

Opened a bank account.
I now have a bank account for the donations to my fund rising. Details will appear in this blog when I have cleared it with Arthritis Care.

Alber Adventure Power Wheelchair
Gerald Simonds have offered to supply the Alber Adventure, customised to my needs, and a complete set of spares.

Buying a van
Wheels are in motion to buy a van that can carry me and all my gear. I am also asking if anyone who is joining me in this challenge can bring a car or van as the following the vehicle, then that would be a great help.
.

Arthritis Care & You Tub

16 January 08

Arthritis Care and You Tube

As you all will know, one of the main reasons I am doing this challenge is to raise awareness of the work of Arthritis Care and to help them with their fundraising. You can find out more details about the work that Arthritis Care do if you visit their web site http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/Home. There you will find many people to give you advice on all aspects of living with arthritis; you can chat to people who have, who know or who are looking after people with arthritis, and find a lot of help in one of the many forums. Then there are campaigns that Arthritis Care run and to which you are actively asked to join. You can catch up with the latest news effecting people, both young and old, with arthritis.

Fact....Did you know that there are well over 8 million people in the UK with one of the 80 or so different types of arthritis, one million of them have got what I have got, Rheumatoid Arthritis. They are all needing access to the help and advice that Arthritis Care can give. If you would like to meet some of them just click on You Tub at http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/Microsites/plu

There is a lot more that I, and many others, can write about the work of Arthritis Care, but I will save that for another blog entry.

Please if you can, make a donation to my target through JustGiving, http://www.justgiving.com/powerwheelchairchallenge or go to the JustGiving logo that you will left hand column and click to make your donation. I know that every penny will be well spent.

Thank you.

Mary

My Blog Reaches Tokyo

16 January 08

My blog reaches Tokyo

This is a photograph og AK57 driving his Alber Adventure.

Good. I am very glad that even Tokyo is checking your blog out . Very soon , I too will raise the Japanese public interest in the disabled plea here in Japan .

AA is what my wife and friends call a " Flying Carpet " for me and has given me the mobility I've longed for since I lost my limb. All the other chairs I've tried didn't give me even half of what the AA gives me .

I asked him the queation, What would you say to starting an Alber Adventure Owners Club? I am all for it !! Anything to stimulate both the pubic interest and the disabled fighting spirit .

Love

AK 57

Lets get more photgraphs like this one on the blog.

Calling All Alber Adventure Owners

16 January 08

Calling All Alber Adventure Owners

Do you own an Alber Adventure? Would you like to form an Alber Adventure Club?

If you would please leave your details in the comments section of this blog or email me at mary.lavere2e@googlemail.com

Let’s get out there in our Alber’s and have some fun together.

If anyone would like to join me along my E2E route, then I would love to meet up with you. For safety reason, I will need to know where you wish to join me and for how long. Will you need accommodation? We don’t want a fleet of Alber’s joining me along the road, but one or two would be just great. We could meet up in one of the towns I am passing through.

If you can make it to Lands End on the 1st June, say 12 noon for my send off or John O'Groats on the 29th June, say 12 noon, for my arrival, then again, I would love to see you.

If any Alber Adventure owners could fund raise for my chosen charity Arthritis Care, then please get fund raising and let me know so I can give you a mention in this blog. Go get to it!

Any of you got a photograph of you in your Alber and would be will to have it posted on this blog, please email it to me, with the permission to post it on my blog, and I shall see what I can do.

The Alber Adventure

15 January 08

The Alber Adventure

The Alber Adventure has been mentioned all the way through this blog, well I was calling it the Albert Adventure, my mistake, sorry. You have seen pictures of me in it and read what I think, a user of 20 years in a power wheelchair, so I thought I had better put a few useful web pages for you to click on and visit. I hope that you will find them of use and a good read.

http://www.adventure-news.de/en/history/

http://www.gerald-simonds.co.uk/acatalog/news.html

http://www.powerchair-review.fsnet.co.uk/alber-adventure-review-wheelchair.htm

http://www.usatechguide.org/itemreview.php?itemid=934

http://www.youreable.com/forums/thread.jspa?threadID=22189&start=15&tstart=

Question, Am I Too Disabled?

11 January 08

Question, Am I too disabled to do this challenge?


The question I have been asking myself over the past few days is, am I too disabled to do this challenge.

I have the drive within myself to meet this challenge, I have the fitness and I know that I have chosen the right power wheelchair, the Albert Adventure, but I need so much personal care. Added to this I need cyclists, car drivers, stage leaders, most, if not all, from complete strangers. I am asking them to give their services free. Am I asking too much of Joe public to help me?

It is alright for me to say I want to do something but it is a different kettle of fish to expect others to also want to do it and volunteer to join in with me to enable me to do it.

Here at home, I have 6 paid carers to look after me. I cannot do anything except use my computer or drive my power chair, without their help. I have switches to open doors. I have a machine that enables me to operate the TV, telephone, lights. Beyond that I need help. I cannot feed myself, wipe my noise, open a gate, make a drink, and even go to the loo without someone doing it for me. I cannot get dressed, go for a walk or go out to a friend’s house, without some ones help. Even walking my two dogs, I need someone to help me.

Knowing all of the above and more, have I the right to ask people to help me so that I can fulfil a dream, a challenge?

If a lot of people do not come forward and volunteer to help me, I have no family or friends that could fill in the place of helper, then I quite simply cannot drive 1000 miles in Alber. If I could afford to pay for 24 hr care then I would gladly pay people to go with me.

How much does 24 hr care cost?

Let's say £10 per hr for argument sack, for day and night shifts. That is £240 per day = £7200 for 30b days, give or take; then I have to provide for them all, food, water and accommodation, vehicles, petrol, insurance. In round figures, my world record attempt, if I was to pay for everything, would cost over £10,000.

This begs the question again, am I expecting too much of people to give their valuable time freely to help me, leading to the question am I too disabled to do the challenge

If anyone of you reading this blog has any thought on the subject I would be very pleased to read them.

Over 600 World Wide Visitors Since October 07

10 January 08

Over 650 visits, world wide since Oct 07

You are now starting to visit this blog from all over the world. That is great news for Arthritis Care. This is great news for the Alber Adventure Power Wheelchair. This is great news for all of my supporters; and fantastic news for me.

Thanks you to you all

Mary Laver

Visitors From All Over the World

9 January 08

Visitors from all over the world.

This world record attempt to drive an Alber Adventure Power Wheelchair from Lands End to John O'Groats is drawing people to view this blog not only from the UK, but also people from all over the world are showing interest. To you all, I say a very warm welcome.

You may wonder how I know this, well the meter that registers your visit show me where you have come from. I can assure you it does not tell me who you are, just where in the world you come from, and that includes people here in the UK.

Someone from the USA was interested in Jack Hankins, they have visited the blog. I hope you got a copy of his book from Jack Adams.

I an still in need of supports for my team. Without you i cannot do this challenge. Please think about giving up some of you time to help me. As you know, my dependency on others is total, so it is not just a matter of getting on a bike and off i go.

Now back to work. I have a lot of letters to compose.

Have a great day.

I Am Looking For Team Members

6th January 08

I am looking for team members

I am now at the stage where I can ask you, my readers, and anyone else that you feal might be interested, to apply to be part of my World Record Attempt team.

So who am I looking for and for how long?

My personal support team.
2/3 people required.
There will be no lifting involved. I use an electric mobile hoist.

My personal support team will be working in 2's. I am totally human dependent so my personal support team will need to be able to assist my carer who will be with me, in feeding, watering, showing, clothing me and help my carer when needed, and assisting with my toileting. I also need someone to help me during the night as I will need my wee bottle. I usually can call for this help 2 to 3 times on the shift, I also will require pastels during the night as I get a dry mouth. I have been known to sleep right through, but not very often. If I can find 3 people to work this part of the team, all the better, then one person is always on stand down.

Experience in care is not needed as one of my carers will be on hand at all time, so we both can talk people through what is needed. The one question I always get asked is do I mind male carers. The answer is I do not have a problem with that so long as the are a nurse or doctor.

Drivers/Cyclist
For safty reasons I need at least one cyclist to be with me and a driver in a car or van following me. I have a cycle and I am looking at trying to hire an electric van. If you have a car/van and are willing to use it then that would be a great help. Your petrol will be provided during the challenge. I am looking at getting a second van to go on ahead and set up the accommodation for the nights stop so will need a second driver for that.

People to help with fundraising along the route
One of the reasons I am doing this challenge is to raise funds for Arthritis Care. We need as many people as possible to get involved with fund raising. Please contact your local group to see how you can help.

To apply for any of the above post can you please either email me address on the left, or email Vincent Moran <vincentm@arthritiscare.org.uk> for more details and an application form.

You are invited to join any of the teams for any of the days. If you are a cyclist and cycle the whole route with me, you can claim to be an E2E er in your own right. You could get your own sponsorship and add it to the overall fundraising pot.

Please remember I cannot do this challenge without a support team, so please give some thought as to whether you can get involved and get the word out.

All of your food and accommodation will be provided.

This whole challenge is going to be great fun and hard work for us all, but what an event to take part in. I am scared stiff but at the same time very excited and just want to get to the starting line at Lands End. Will you be there with me? I do hope so.

The Revised Route

5 January 08

Revised Route

Jane has been working on the revised route, Scotland end. Thanks Jane.

It has been suggested that we break down the route into four sections. This is the first draft of that beakdown. Any comments will be grtfuly recieved.

The new route

The Route

Stage 1
Sunday 1 Lands End to St Just 05.0
Sunday 1 St Just to Perranporth 35.5
Monday 2 Perranporth to Tintagel 37.3
Tuesday 3 Tintagel to Bideford 42.7
Wednesday 4 Bideford to Minehead 45.8
Thursday 5 Minehead to Cheddar 44.3
Friday 6 Cheddar to Bristol 18.7

Stage 2
Saturday 7 Bristol to Cheltenham 43.8
Sunday 8 Cheltenham to Kidderminster 39.4
Monday 9 Kidderminster to Shrewsbury 34.6
Tuesday 10 Shrewsbury to Chester 41.6
Wednesday 11 Chester to Preston 47.9
Thrusday 12 Preston to Blackpool Day Off 61st Birthday
Friday 13 Preston to Kendal 44.8
Saturday 14 Kendal to Carlisle 45.1

Stage 3
Sunday 15 Carlisle to Dumfries 34.1
Monday 16 Dumfries to Cumnock 43.3
Tuesday 17 Cumnock to Ayr 16.1 1/2 day break
Wedneasday 18 Ayr to Glasgow 36.1
Thursday 19 All day in Glasgow 00.0 Day Off

Stage 4
Friday 20 Glasgow to Callander 37.0
Saturday 21 Callander to Crianlarich 30.0
Sunday 22 Crianlarich to Glencoe 36.0
Monday 23 Glencoe to Gairlochy 27.0
Tuesday 24 Gairlochy to Borlum 43.0
Wednesday 25 Borlum to Dingwall 44.0
Thrusday 26 Dingwall to Lairge 37.0
Friday 27 Lairge to Bettyhill via Syre 44.0
Saturday 28 Bettyhill to Thurso 31.0
Sunday 29 Thurso to John O’Groats 21.0

Finishing time 1400 hrs World Record!!!

Run the Country

1 January 08

Edward and Philip from "Run the Country" will be joining me

Edward and Philip from Run the Country, see web connection, have agreed to do some miles with me along the route. Dates to be decided.

I have know Edward since the 2006 Great North Run when I spoke to him at the Run the Country stall at the Great North Run show. I was to meet Philip some months later at Keilder when they took me on a training run pushing my wheelchair, see photograph in side panel.

Both Guys are long distant runners, notching up many marathons and more between them. With all the knowledge and experience they have gained over the years they decided to help other people in their running training and have set up Run the Country. http://www.runthecountry.co.uk/

Thanks guys for all the help and encouragement you have and are giving in the planning of my challenge

Changing My Routine

1st January 2008

Changing my routine

Firstly can I say to all my readers a Very Happy and Peaceful New Year.

So my first topic this 2008, and my New Years Resolution, is to get my fitness up for the challenge I have set myself, with the help of many other, to take an Alber Adventure Power Wheelchair from Lands End to John O’Groats, and in doing so create a LEJOG World Record.

To get myself up to a level of fitness that I require, is going to mean that I shall have to add some form of fitness training to my daily routine; not all that easy when a lot of my life is governed by time and routine. This is due the fact that I have to have carers visit me a set times of the day to do set task, that enable me to live my life.

One of the pieces of equipment I shall be using in my fitness program is the Power Breather. There are many web sites that sell the power breather but I got mine from a local weight lifting shop here in Newcastle upon Tyne. You might find it interesting to go to http://forum.220magazine.com/tm.asp?m=8427 and read more comments about the Power Breather

Other training aids I have is a weight strap that I can attach to my left arm to get my strength up in that arm, I have been given a number of exercises to do by a fitness trainer; and the best training of all, is getting out there, with Alber and a carer on a bike I have bought, and getting some miles under my belt. The miles might prove to be the hardiest part because if you take away the time I spend feeding, watering and looing, there is only three hours left on a day when I get a full days care, and in this time I have to fit in other commitments, i.e., being on the Users and Carers Committee at Northumbria University, The last time I had the Alber Adventure I did some training going around my local park and streets, see photographs. But I shall, and will have to, find time to fit some form of training in every day. If anyone wishes to help me with a training day out with Albert, and lives within striking distance of Newcastle upon Tyne then please email me. Your time will be gratefully received.

So there you have it, my first and very important for entry in the blog for 2008

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