3 April 08
Message from Arthritis Care
Dear Mary,
I am writing to you in the light of what I have learned about the plans for your trip, to express my deep concern about the health and safety issues involved.
In October, we responded to your request for support for your challenge with an offer of publicity and fundraising ideas, and we said we would inform branches about your itinerary. However, we were not asked to plan and manage the event. An event of this kind is a serious logistical challenge, which our fundraising team is not equipped to meet – that is why we do not initiate these kinds of challenges ourselves as a charity.
As time has gone on, it has become increasingly clear to us that you have not been able to put in place the kind of safety measures, volunteer support, personal care, insurance, permissions and organisation that will keep you, and any volunteers, safe on your journey.
In January, we wrote to you to highlight some of the issues and suggest you consider postponing. We believe that the situation has not changed enough since then for us to alter our view that to proceed would not be in your own best interests.
The health and safety of those involved in fundraising in aid of our charity is of paramount concern to us. And in particular, given the advice from the police, I am sure you will understand that I cannot associate Arthritis Care with a decision to go ahead.
I very much appreciate the fact that you had chosen to fundraise in aid of our organisation, and I am sorry that this decision comes relatively late in your planning. Had we understood the nature of the risks involved sooner, we would have had to withdraw earlier, but as soon as we did become aware of the problems, we acted in what we believe is the best interests of both yourself and our charity.
I know you will be disappointed by this decision, and will naturally feel let down,
but I am afraid I have no alternative but to confirm that Arthritis Care cannot support a decision to go ahead.
Yours sincerely
Jo O’Boyle
Director, Marketing & Fundraising
Arthritis Care
Monday, March 31, 2008
Message from Arthritis Care
Camp Sites Along The Route
Camping Sites.
1. Land’s end
Treveda Farm
Tel: 01736 871835
Ref: 24747 6 adults £33
Deposit of £25
Sat 31st May
2. Perranporth
Treamble Valley
Caravan Club Site
Rose
Tel: 01342 327490
Booking code: TRE
Sun 1st June
3. Headland Caravan Park
Tintagel
01840772039
Mon 2nd June
4. Bideford
Willigcott
Woolacombe
EX34 7HN
Tel: 01342 327490
Booking code: WIL
Tues 3rd June
5. Minehead
MineheadCaravan Club Site
Booking code: MNH
Wed 4th June
6. CheddarCaravan Club Site
Thurs 5th June
7. Bristol
No site yet
Frid 6th June
8. Cheltenham
Tewkesbury Abbey,
Gander Lane,
Tewkesbury okay
Tel: 01342 327490
Booking code: TEW
Sat 7th June
9. Kidderminster
Stanmore Hall Touring Park
Stourbridge Road.
Bridgnorth
Tel: 01746761761
Sun 8th June
10. Shrewbury
Lady Margaret's Park
Caravan Club Site
Tel: 01342 327490
Mon 9th June
11. Chester
Chester Fairoaks
Rake Lane
Tel: 01342 327490
Booking code: CFO
Tue 10th June
12. Blackpool
Blackpool South
Caravan Club Site
Cropper Rd,
Marton ,
Blackpool,
FY4 5LB
Tel: 01342 327490
Wed 11th/ Thurs 12th June day off
61st Birthday2 nights
Booking code: BLP
13. Kendal
Low Park Wood
Caravan Club Site
Booking code: MFS
Frid 13th June
14. Carlisle
Nor known
Sat 14th June
15. Dumfries
Not known
Sun 15th June
16. Cumnock
Craigie GardensCaravan Club Site
Tel: 01342 327490
Mon 16th June
17. Glasgow ?
Jack Adams Writes in Responce
Are Our Roads Becoming No Go Arears To Cyclist, Walkers Nd Wheelchair Users?
Should our roads be made safe so that all of us can use them, exception, Motorways?
I shall still attempt the E2E Challenge during 2008 along with a few other thousand people. I shall make sure that I am as safe as possible, flags, flashing lights, but I cannot have a safety following vehicle…How fair is that.? Cars firstmiddle last, and S.. the rest of us!
If we go by this statement there would be no more E2E’ers except off road…What do you think?
This is the question I am asking in the wake of receiving an email from
Road Safety Unit Police Headquarters Old Perth Road INVERNESS
E2E CHALLENGE IN A POWER WHEELCHAIR
I refer to your e-mail of 31/03/08, regarding the above event.
In recent years, there has been an enormous increase in sporting and sponsored events on public roads and on behalf of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, which represents all Scottish Chief Constables, I have to inform you that it is their policy, and indeed that of Chief Constables throughout the United Kingdom, to discourage the staging of such events on these roads.
The activities of sporting and fund-raising groups, particularly those raising money for charities, are most praiseworthy. However, most public roads are carrying increasing volumes of motor traffic and few are suitable for slow-moving groups or individuals. Invariably some form of hazard is created which may place participants and other road users at risk.
In the circumstances and in the interest of road safety, I urge you to carefully consider whether or not to go ahead with your proposed event. I must point out that the Police have no powers to prohibit the staging of your event but, should an accident occur, the advice to you regarding my concern for public safety will be made known to any subsequent enquiry or legal proceedings.
I note that your route passes through the Local Authority areas of Scotland Transerv/Highland Council and I must advise you that these authorities, by virtue of an order made under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, may prohibit the staging of such an event on roads in their area. Therefore, I suggest that you contact these authorities and inform them of this event.
There are many off-road venues available which may be suitable for your purposes. These include Forestry Commission and other private roads, public parks administered by Local Authorities, footpaths and beaches. Permission should, of course, be sought before use in each case but they do present a safer environment for participants and are worthy of your consideration.
Donation Recieved
Donation Received
I would like tosay a sincere thankyou to Wheelchairs Direct UK. com for their much needed donation towards my over all costs.
Their email reads.
Hi Mary,
I'm the webmaster for http://wheelchairsdirectuk.com/ We're very impressed by your upcoming attempt to travel the length of the UK, and we would like to donate fifty pounds towards the cost.
Alber Adventure Ready To Be Picked Up
Alber Adventure ready to be pick up
Today I had the news that I have been waiting for. Graham Jeffery, gerald-simonds, quote “We are now ready to make the hand over of the Adventure ” All that we now have to do is get a reprehensive from Arthritis Care, some of my care team and A& D, who are taking me to pick up the Alber, together on one day. Not as easy as it seems. I am aiming for Tuesday 8th April or Thursday 10th April.
As soon as I have the Alber I shall post a video of the handover on You Tub and my blog.
Today I also had the first of I hope, many radio interviews, with Radio Newcastle. If anyone knows of any other radio programs that maybe interested in covering the story, please let me no.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Contacting the Police
28th March 08
Contacting the police
We are now at the stage where we are contacting the local police stations along the route to inform them of my intened visit..This i am now sharing with you and i hope you find it of interest...
Dear Mary,
With reference to our telephone conversation this morning, can you please provide Avon & Somerset Police with the answers to the following questions:
1. The proposed route through our area with road numbers. 2. The dates and times each day that this will be taking place. 3. The location details of the proposed overnight stops. 4. The names and mobile phone contact details of the Support Crew. 5. What type of Advance Warning Signs or Lights will be in use on the Support Vehicles 6. The details of all the Support Vehicles with Reg Numbers type and colour 7. How many support pedestrians will be walking with this event at any one time.
Many Thanks,
28th March 08
Press Release
66 days to go and i still need more team members...If you feel you can help by sending on this press release, then please do so...
http://www.pressbox.co.uk/detailed/Sports/_End_to_End_Challenge_-_Lands_End_to_John_O_Groats_in_a_Powerchair_181593.html
It reads
PRESS RELEASE STARTS:
A disabled woman is preparing to travel from Lands End to John O Groats in a powered wheelchair to raise funds for Arthritis Care.
Mary Laver from Newcastle is hoping to begin the E2E Challenge on June 1st 2008 and complete on June 29th.
Mary 60, who is wheelchair dependent and partially sighted says:
'It's something I have always wanted to do and I don't believe the 'End to End Challenge' as it is commonly called has ever been done in one powerchair before. I am using an Alber Adventure wheelchair that is being shipped to me from Germany this week.
I have had a tremendous amount of help from Vincent Moran @ Arthritis Care, Graham Jeffery@ Gerald Simonds Healthcare Ltd and Jack Adams, from the Lands End to John O' Groats Association without whose support I do not know if I would be doing this challenge.
Mary who has competed in the Great North Run by being pushed in her wheelchair is determined to be ready for her start date of June 1st.
'There is a lot of work that needs to be done but slowly but we are getting there.
I am still looking for volunteers and support staff to help care for me along the way and for vehicle drivers for the van I have just bought.
I will have batteries for my wheelchair on charge throughout the journey.
That means I can complete the E2E in one wheelchair as opposed to using several. The Caravan Club have issued me with a Press Pass which means I get free camping, but if anyone can help in any way please
can they contact me? My details are on my blog.'
Mary is being supported in her attempt by her MP, Mr. Stephen Byers who has kindly donated a prize of dinner with him at the House of Commons for a raffle that is running.
Mary has an online diary detailing her attempt which is getting hits from all over the world, the address of which is www.powerwheelchaire2e.blogspot.com
Finally Mary said:
'As the date for departure is getting closer I am petrified but I'm gutsy and I really want to do this.
I am looking forward to celebrating my 61st birthday on the challenge, on June 12th in Blackpool.'
Mary can be contacted via her diary, by email at mary.laver.e2e@googlemail.com
or on telephone number: 0191 266 5197.
Submitted by Maverick Film & PR Services
PRESS RELEASE ENDS:
Saturday, March 22, 2008
'Run the Country' Join Me For A Day
I have Sunday 8th June in my diary to ride with you on my bike, Cheltenham to Kidderminster, or at least a good part of the way, if that is OK? Passes really close to where I live so and is at a weekend, so the most easily managed for me? Will that be a help? Presume we can get timings a bit nearer the day?
Good luck with the continued preparation and look forward to keeping in touch. I know both Edward and I still have the Augrabies in mind for 2009; once you have completed E2E we can then talk seriously about next year I suggest?
Love and best wishes
Phillip
I have a potential runner for the last day – a girl I am working with has expressed interest. She is not committing herself just yet as things may change, but she is pretty keen.
Harley and I are doing fine – he is as fit as a fiddle. I have a stinking cold at the moment!
Cheers,
Jane
No Team, No Dream
No team, no dream.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Dinner At The House of Parliament
20th March 08
Dinner at the Houses of Parliament
Today I recieved a letter, as prommised, from Rt.Hon Stephen Byres MP. See below. This offer is to help me with my fund raising for Arthritis Care. Watch this space for further details
20 March 2008
Dear Mary
Dinner for Two and Tour of the Houses of Parliament
It was good to meet you the other week and to learn about your exciting plans.
As I said I would like to offer a prize to support your fund – raising activities. I have given this some thought and would like to offer a conducted tour of the Houses of Parliament with an official guide and dinner for two (hosted by me!) in one of the Victorian dining rooms in the House of Commons.
I hope this works for you and that you get a price for it!
Best wishes
Rt. Hon. STEPHEN BYERS, MP
2 Heads Better Than 1
2 Heads are better than 1
Yesterday I had a great day in as far as the E2E Challenge goes.
One of the problems we might have to face is that on some days, not all, I may not have enough team members. If such a day(S) happens, we may have to call the challenge off. This would be a great tragedy. I had to put my thinking cap on…me thinking..
The answer I have come up with, if such an event happens, it to use a care company. I have approached one, who will remain nameless for the time being. They are very interested in helping if they can. As soon as I have details I will put them on my blog.
The other problem is drivers. To cover this eventuality, I have friends who know people in the TA and are going to approach them on my behalf. Well I used to be a driver in the Royal Air Force.
One question I often get asked is where I will be on a particular day. Well last night, after 4 hours trying how to put a Google map on the blog, we worked it out. We almost fell at the final hurdle, John O’Groats. Google did not accept John O’Groats, so we put the town before. So you now have all the routes, subject to change at our discursion, thought I had better put that one in, on the blog. I have noticed that my friend from Scotland has already checked out 21 or 22 June. Maybe we shall meet on the road. Who knows?
Lastly, late last night, I received the Press release from Planet24Pictures. What a great way to finish a gruelling evening. I discovered this morning a mistake in the telephone number, one of the digits was wrong. I have contacted the person concerned; they were more interested in the challenge than in the telephone number. Thanks for that.
Well that is all for now. My tum is rumbling, I tried missing breakfast this morning, I have to have it at 0630 due to all the time it takes to get me up, wish I hadn't now. Never mind.
Have a great Easter all of you….
Press Release
PRESS RELEASE STARTS:
A disabled woman is preparing to travel from Lands End to John O Groats in a powered wheelchair to raise funds for Arthritis Care.
Mary Laver from Newcastle is hoping to begin the E2E Challenge on June 1st 2008 and complete on June 29th.
Mary 60, who is wheelchair dependent and partially sighted says:
'It's something I have always wanted to do and I don't believe the 'End to End Challenge' as it is commonly called has ever been done in one powerchair before. I am using an Alber Adventure wheelchair that is being shipped to me from Germany this week.
I have had a tremendous amount of help from Vincent Moran @ Arthritis Care, Graham Jeffery@ Gerald Simonds Healthcare Ltd and Jack Adams, from the Lands End to John O' Groats Association without whose support I do not know if I would be doing this challenge.
Mary who has competed in the Great North Run by being pushed in her wheelchair is determined to be ready for her start date of June 1st.
'There is a lot of work that needs to be done but slowly but we are getting there.
I am still looking for volunteers and support staff to help care for me along the way and for vehicle drivers for the van I have just bought. I will have batteries for my wheelchair on charge throughout the journey. That means I can complete the E2E in one wheelchair as opposed to using several. The Caravan Club have issued me with a Press Pass which means I get free camping, but if anyone can help in any way please can they contact me? My details are on my blog.'
Mary is being supported in her attempt by her MP, Mr. Stephen Byers who has kindly donated a prize of dinner with him at the House of Commons for a raffle that is running.
Mary has an online diary detailing her attempt which is getting hits from all over the world, the address of which is www.powerwheelchaire2e.blogspot.com
Finally Mary said:
'As the date for departure is getting closer I am petrified but I'm gutsy and I really want to do this. I am looking forward to celebrating my 61st birthday on the challenge, on June 12th in Blackpool.'
Mary can be contacted via her diary, by email at mary.laver.e2e@googlemail.com
or on telephone number: 0191 266 5197.
Submitted by Maverick Film & PR Services
PRESS RELEASE ENDS:
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Map Directions
19 March 08
To get map directions
To know where i am on any given day, go to left column and maps and the date you are interested in
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
11th May -08 Midnight
11th May 08, midnight.
One of the many problems that I, and thousands of other disable people face every day is, we need help to do the things in life we wish to do. Some, like me, need more help than others.
It is with this help requirement in mind that it has been decided between Vincent Moran-Arthritis Care, Graham Jeffery-Gerald-Simonds, and myself, that there should be a cut off dater that says, if, we do not have in place, all the team that is needed to complete this E2E challenge, then we shall postpone the challenge until such times we have a complete team. That date is midnight on the 11th May 08.
So this all means, that if we do not have in place a minim of I driver and I extra carer to help my staff, for each of the 29 days, then the E2E Challenge will be put on hold until we can find such a team.
If you run or work for a care company, and can help with carers for my team,for any of the dates, can you please email me mary.lavere2e@googlemail.com and leave me a contact tel number and we can have a chat. I will do all that I can to promote your company in exchange for your support.
If you run a driving school, Taxi Company, if you are in the TA, and feel you can help with driving any part of, or the whole route, then please, once again, email at the above email address.
Please all of you, remember, you can do the E2E without me, I cannot do it without you!
Thanks.
Mary
Some Costings
Food x 5 people x £7 per person per day = £35 per day x 30 days = £1050
Geo Tracker £350
Insurance £
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Technical Buffs
15 March 2008
Technical Buffs
There will be some technical buffs reading this blog, who will be wondering what up to date technical equipment I will be using on the challenge, this may even interest my bored reader in Scotland.
The first piece of technical equities I sorted out was a tracking device so that anyone will be able to follow me in the Alber Adventure, by going to my blog, by visiting a web site or by telephoning a given number, as I make my way from Lands End to John O’Groats. The device, as regular readers of my blog will recall, and there are quite a few of you, is called a Geboa Tracker, you can find more information about this device by visiting http://www.geboa.com/
I approached Planet24Pictures about my other ideas. Would it be possible to have a camera on my crash helmet? This does not seem to be a problem, if they have one in store and so long as I have my laptop, complete with internet radio transmitter with me.
Also along the route, I shall be sending, at regular intervals, photographs to my blog and videos to my blog via ‘You Tub’.
Last at this moment in time, you will be able to speak to me, at any time between 0900 and 2100, thanks to the wonders of the mobile phone. You will be given this telephone number at a latter date. I am hoping that also I can do interviews for the local and national radio that way, assuming I can get them interested!
On each of the four Sundays I am out on the road, it is planned, thanks to the wonder of the mobile phone, that I will link up with my church in their, we hope, new building, at St Andrews Benton, Newcastle upon Tyne, for the morning church service. So if on a Sunday morning between 1030 and 11300, you hear me singing hymns, saying prays or listening to my Minister Peter Rand giving a sermon, as I go along the road, then be assure that on the other end of my mobile are about 150 other people doing the same, they are my church
So there you have it. My technology so far, up to date. Not bad for a 60 year old!
My First AC Meeting
14 March 2008
My first Arthritis Care meeting
Last night I attuned my first AC meeting to give a talk on my E2E challenge. The getting there was the hardest part of the whole evening as I found the whole group very warm and welcoming. As a user of Bioflow, I also asked Alison Pride from Bioflow, after asking Brian Risbridger, if she would like to come, which Alison readily accepted
Due to the fact I could only get a return taxi at 2015 and that my carer had to be back home for 2130, I was given my turn before the their fish and chip supper, which I will add, both Pauline and myself, were asked to join.
I knew before I went that I could not use my power point presentation, but never mind, I took my notes. Just one small problem, after my arrival, we discovered that the mike did not work something to do with a connection. Not a problem said I, I can speak with a loud voice, and I dually drove my DHSS wheelchair onto the floor and without my notes, gave my talk, not completely to the script.
I talked about when I decide to look into doing the E2E. Contacting Jack Adams at the LE2JOG Association for a few facts and then contacting Vincent Moran at AC and how AC became my chosen charity.
Then I went on to talk about the Alber Adventure and why I had chosen this particular power wheelchair above others; this I quickly followed with details of the chosen route, accommodation, help I required and some idea of the expenses that I will have to stage the challenge, i.e. feeding and watering my team, petrol, that sort of stuff.
I then finished off with an appeal for funds to do the challenge and for people to come on the challenge at any stage. A few questions were asked and answered.
Before I left, the group had donated their raffle money to the challenge and also had a whip round. I will know how much this all comes to when I put it in the bank. Thanks to the South Shield Arthritis Care Group for the invitation, the fish and chips, their support and that all important, donation. Without such donations the fact is, I could not afford to do the challenge
One decision I have made, is I will not make public the amounts I have received from branches until after the event. Names of the branches will not be printed unless they have given me permission. I will of course keep a full and open record of all donations and how it is used, if anyone wants to see them. I hope that you all agree with this policy.
I have joist checked the blog and there is only 79 days to go, or if I am right, in 10 weeks today, I will be putting Jack and Molly into kennels, and leaving home for Lands End and my challenge of a life time…….
Have a great day…
The Reason I Know I Can Meet The Challenge
12 March 2008
The reason I know I can meet this challenge.
As nothing much has happened to-day I decided to write about the reason I feel I can get the Alber Adventure from Lands End to John O’Groats.
To answer this question I have 5 points to make and they are in no particular order!
· That I have to have the conviction and faith, within myself, that what I am doing I can achieve
· That I have the right people with me and behind me to achieve the goal I have set myself
· That I have the right power chair, reliable, easy to battery change, fast and comfortable.
· That I have the hardware in form of vehicles, tents camping gear.
· That even though I have rheumatoid arthritis, I am fit enough to meet the challenge.
I have all of the above and more, and I will now tell you how.
Some of you may, and some of you may not, will have gathered that I hold my Christian Faith highly in my life. Without it, at times, I do not think I could have pulled through some of the situations I have faced over the past few years, and especially now, when I was faced with my back against the wall as regards my care package. It is that faith, strength of character and taking with me, all the faces of people I have seen through the wonders of television, who have achived, through all adversity, the impossible. I was a great watcher of Extreme Challenge to name a recent program. If those people could face what they did to reach their goal, I can reach mine.
The right people behind me and in front of me.
I am on Direct Payments to pay for my care. To me it is the best way to control who looks after me and when. I could talk about the merits of Direct Payments all night, so I will stop right now, on that one. The support I have been getting from my friends and personal support team, here in my home, as I plot the journey from E2E is beyond doubt. Some my carers are joining me at each stage, and I hope, also an old friend and a few new ones, along the route. Jane with her horse Hadley, on the last three days, being just one of them.
Along side all of the above is a chap called Vincent Moran from Arthritis Care, who read an email saying that a lady of 60, totally wheelchair and human dependent, want to drive a power wheelchair, from Lands End to John O’Groats as a fund raiser for Arthritis Care and would he like Arthritis Care to be my chosen charity and support me. In about 2 days after receiving the said email, he said that Arthritis Care would be glad to have me as a, hang on, I will check his email, I have just found the email 30 October 08, rather long, but said yes they would love to have my E2E challenge as a fund raiser, and they would help me in what ever way they could.
If you add to Vincent his team of Arthritis Care groups, some 300 in all, all supporting me and backing me up in what ever way they can, then I have really chosen the right people to do the challenge for.
You know something; I have forgotten the one person whom I contacted right at the begging of the mad thoughts I had to do the E2E challenge, a guy called Jack Adams from the Lands End to John O’Groats Association.
Jack endured all the emails I sent him; I will count them one day. He answer all my questions, the big one being, has one person, in one power wheelchair, done the E2E He did find out that one person had done it but did not know the details. I traced the person down we spoke at great lengths, and told me that he took three power wheelchairs per day and took, I think, 6 weeks to compleat the E2E. I also found, and spoke to, through the wonders of the internet, that another guy attempted the E2E in 2000, but he tipped his wheelchair over and could not complete the journey; then along comes me, one wheelchair in 4 weeks. So Jack, here is a big thank you and X just for you, and I hope to see you in Wakefield very soon.
At the fear of boarding you, I have to talk about the power wheelchair I am using. As the heading to this log says, it is an Alber Adventure Power Wheelchair, that I am doing the E2E in, I would also like to add that it is being supplied by Gerald-simonds. Thanks to Alton Aids, who by the way recommended the Alber Adventure to me at a NIDEX show, here in Newcastle, and let me have one for a few days, hence the photographs of me in an Alber Adventure.
I can remember the first time I drove Alber; it was like sitting in a Formulary One Racing Power Wheelchair. I was very careful at first, then after a day or two, I opened him up and it was just magic. It was love at first sight…ar! Then I discover the extras I could have, including a wing mirror, yes a wing mirror. Why can not all power wheelchairs have a wing mirror is beyond me. There will be a lot written about Alber over the next few months and you will all be able to follow me along my E2E route thanks to the Geo Tracker that will be fitted, so I shall say no more at the moment.
I will talk about my fitness and how I keep fit on another page. Now it is time for neighbours on chanell 5. For my boring reader from Scotland, it is Susan who has MS!
.
Camping Sites Booked
The last few days.
My life, as you will already have read, has been mainly taken up with trying to get my care package sorted, but I am please to report that a few more steps along the E2E challenge have been made.
To day I met up with Allison Williams who will be Charing, on Saturday, the AGM of the North East branches of AC. I cannot make this meeting, so we had a working lunch instead, and Allison will speak about the challenge and the help I need, on my behalf. Thanks for that Allison. I got an added bonus out of the meeting, because she will also write a piece for her church magazine and get it included in the next one. I still need all the publicity and help I can get.
On Thursday, I am giving my first talk on the E2E to the South Shields AC group. I am told they are a very lively bunch. I am really looking forward to the evening. I just hope it does not rain like it is at the moment as I am using public transport.
Well that is all for now folks...
Monday, March 10, 2008
The 'Alber Adventure' Leaves Germany For The UK
The 'Alber Adventure' leaves Germany for the UK
The news that any person attempting any challenge which involves a piece of hardware such as a yacht, a car or a power wheelchair, want to hear is that it is on it's way. This morning, in my emails, was such new from Graham Jeffery of gerald-simonds, the "Alber Adventure" had left Germany and would soon be arriving in the UK. I will admit, i shead a few tears...
Also on its way is the "Geo Tracker" with full instructions on how to operate it. I will send the Geo Tracker onto Graham, who in turn will attach, fix it to Alber.
When these two vital pieces of equipment are in place, arrangements will then be made for all those concerned, to meet up at Wakefielf, head office of Arthritis Care North East, for the hand over. I am planning to have all four of my care team at this hand over along with A&D who will be driving me over.
From then on it is a matter of promoting the challenge and giving as many talks as possible, to where ever possible. To get some training in, i want to be doing 40 miles a day before i leave Newcastle, and to make sure that my team know how the equipment works, ie putting up the tent. How to drive secure me in the van, that i shall leave to A&D.
While all this is going on, in the background, I am dealing with my care package under" Fair Access to Care Services". I will not go there, but if any of you reading this blog are using your social care services to obtain your care, you will know where I am coming from.
Will keep you updated when I have more news.
