My MP - Mr Stephen Bryers - Supports My Challenge

30th April

My MP supports my challenge


At this time when our MPs are getting a very bad press here is a good press for my MP. The pize folks is dinner for 4, which is broken down to 2 prize winners and me plus carer, at The House of Commonds and a tour aroung the House afterwards. Money cannot buy such a prize.
Thanks Mr Bryers

Now to see emails conferming this fantatic prize.


Dear Mary

Thank you for your email of 11.4.09.

I will be pleased to donate the same prize again and would be happy for funds raised to go to whatever would be most helpful to you – I am flexible.

Yours sincerely
Rt Hon Stephen Byers, MP


From: mary.laver [mailto:mary.laver@sky.com] Sent: 28 April 2009 18:26To: BYERS, StephenSubject: Re: Marine & Coastal Access Bill

Dear Stephen
Thank you very much for supporting this very important Bill.
Have you given any more thought to donating as a fundraiser, the lunch for two at the House of Commons. These tickets would be used as a joint prize to be held in 3 clubs in North Tynside.
Thank you.
Regards

Dear Mary
Thank you for your email of 18.4.09.
I will support this Bill and will also talk directly to DEFRA Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies about it.
Yours sincerely
Rt Hon Stephen Byers, MP

Information for you

30th April

Please feel free to copy and pass this informaion on.

British Record Attempt
Lands End to John O'Groats
1000 Mile Power Chair Challenge
18th July/18th August 2009
2 pm start
http://powerwheelchaire2e.blogspot.com/

The Challenge
Lands End 2 John O’Groats is the furthest distance you can travel in one direction, from one end of Great Britain to the other: being a distance of approximately 10000 miles, 1600 km.

Approximately 2000 people take on this epic journey each year mainly in the name of charity. E2E records show that the E2E challenge has been undertaken by various means, including a jet fighter, a three-tone truck been pulled all the way. The none famous and the famous have done it. The able and disable; the young and the old. On bikes, manual wheelchairs, walking, running, horseback. Even a couple tried to do it naked but got arrested half way. Wonder why! The list of the different ways of doing this epic journey is endless.

In July 09 another record is, we hope, is going to be added to the list, E2E in an ‘Alex’ power chair. None has done this epic journey in one power chair before. Step in Mary Laver to fly the flag for all power chair users and make her bid at the E2E and at the same time make the attempt a British Record.

The Challenger ‘Mary Laver’
Mary Laver is 62 years old and has been wheelchair dependant for 22 years due to advanced rheumatoid arthritis, not that she has ever let that get in the way. Mary is quite a character and has completed the Great North Run by been pushed in her manual chair, on no fewer than 12 occasions, raising many hundreds of pounds for various charities and plans to complete the 13 mile course again in September.

Mary has no end to her talents and is keen to spread the word for healthy eating. Mary only eats organic food and always promotes Fairtrade products where and when possible, as she will during the 1000 mile challenge. Mary, who even thou is in a wheelchair and human and wheelchair dependent due to RA, advocates very strongly about controlling arthritis pain by diet. Mary along with Margaret Smith, is also the co-author of a best selling cookery book 'Diet for Life' Pan Books, on this very subject and which sold over a quarter of a million copies, making it into the best sellers list and overshadowing authors like Jeffrey Archer at the time.

The Power Chair
If Mary is to achieve her mission, she needs the most up to date technology. She is extremely grateful to Handicare Ltd, who have donated their new Alex power chair to the project. UK Marketing Manager Eddie Peacock describes Mary as “inspirational”. “She is a remarkable lady and we wish her every success with her 1000 mile challenge”

The Charity
As Mary is an ex forces, the WRAF, she is keen to ensure the Royal British Legion and the Poppy Appeal as her chosen charity for the challenge, receives lots of sponsorship money and is asking people to make a donation by going to https://www.bmycharity.com/V2/e2epowerchairchallenge. and or sponsoring her along the route. She has been a proud fundraiser for many years raising hundreds of pounds for both the British Legion and the Poppy Appeal.

The Royal British Legion and Poppy Appeal say ‘We are proud that such a determined character as Mary has chosen our charity for this epic journey. We know she will give it 100% and no matter what obstacles are put in her way, she will complete this British Record attempt.’
Sponsors Required

Mary needs a large support team to do this challenge; she will have eight in the team with two minibus vehicles. It has been estimated, that to feed, accommodate the whole team and the cost of the petrol, will be in the region of £7000. Fundraising locally is now going on in earnest to meet this target, but more funds are desperately needed. If you would like to contribute by a donation or arranging an event, to Marys fundraising efforts, not matter how big or small, then please contact Mary at mary.laver.e2e@googlemail.com If you would like to be one of her sponsors, and or have your product tried by Mary on the challenge again please contact Mary as above. ‘Drinkup,’ http://www.drinkup.uk.com/ has already asked her to try their new hands free drinking bottle to use from her ‘Alex’ power wheelchair, while she is on the challenge.

The Route
Mary is using the Cycle Touring Club YHA route, which is….Lands End to Penzance. Penzance to Par, Par to Princetown; Princetown to Honiton; Honiton to Wells; Wells to Chepstow; Chepstow to Burley Gate; Burley Gate to Bridges; Bridges to Holt; Holt to Leigh, Leigh to Slaidburn; Slaidburn to Orton; Orton to Gretna; Gretna to Elvanfoot; Elvanfoot to Airdrie; Airdrie to Ardchullarie More; Ardchullarie More to Archallade; Archallader to Spean Bridge; Spean Bridge to Drumnadrochit; Drumnadrochit to Bonar Bridge; Bonar Bridge to Tongue; Tongue to Isauld; Isauld to John O'Groats.

The team are looking for camping sites, barns, B&B, YHA ect, to stay at. If you are near this route and would like to offer the team a place for the night, and they do not mind the team being split up if needs arise, then please email Mary at mary.laver.e2e@googlemail.com
On a personal note, Mary would like to say and sincere and very deep thank you to Handicare for providing ‘Alex’ and the BNA for looking after staffing, for making this challenge of a lifetime happen.

Contact details

Mary Laver 0191 266 5197
Mary.laver.e2e@googlemail.com
http://powerwheelchaire2e.blogspot.com/
Eddie Peacock (Handicare UK Marketing Manager) 07985-160675
eddie.peacock@handicare.co.uk
http://www.alexwheelchair.co.uk/
Jenny Robson (The Royal British Legion) 0191-2682310
http://www.poppy.org.uk/index.php/give-money.html

Master Jack Elliot

30th April 09

Message to Master Jack Elliots dad!

Hi Jacks Dad,

i can confirm on this blog that your son Jack, was doing his English homeowrk while he was on the train last night..I know, because i sat and watched him before asking him is he would like to apply to join our E2E team as the teams writer..He told me he wants to be a sports writer, what better way to start than reporting on an E2E challenge.

Was that okay Jack?

The Challenge Moves Up A Peg

27 April 2009

The challenge is moving up a peg

This week I have started training in earnest clocking up my first 15k despite some drizzle on my first real roadwork out. My aim is to get to 65k about 40 miles into one day.

For exercise I am pulling very strong rubber bands, not lifting weights, to exercise my left arm, I shall be driving Alex using my left hand. I have to be careful because I have no shoulder joint linings as you all have. I am also having arm and back masarges to get wrid of any nodules

Meeting up with my Faitrade rep. Tomorrow I am meeting up with Stella Carmichael at the Baltic Mill in Newcastle. Stella is the Fairtrade rep for Newcastle. I want to meet up with her to discuss how I can promote Fairtrade on the challenge

Wednesday is the big day. I am off to the Birmingham NIDEX show and the Handicare stand. This is when ‘Alex’ the actual Alex I am doing the E2E, meet up and he is altered to meet my needs perfectly. When the show is over, I hope that very soon, Alex and I will be getting to know each other much better and ‘burn some rubber together.’

From Next week I am going all out to find sponsors, I am just asking for small amounts, so if I coming knocking on your door please remember that I have to raise £7000 just to do the challenge; That is before we cover the cost of paying for my care. If you could donate just a few pounds then please email me and I will send you details on how to do this. mary.laver.e2e@googlemail.com Thank you.

Please also remember to click on the link to donate to my chosen charity.
https://www.bmycharity.com/V2/e2epowerchairchallenge

Now to catch up with Devils Kitchen. I am for the bloke to win.
Cheers

The Route

25th April 09

The Route.

Do you own a campsite, Youth Hostel or a suitable place we could set up camp for tjhe night. A school would be very useful and or a church or chappel. If you do, then please may we make use of the facility. There will be approx 8 in the team and 2 vehicles.

This is our route with dates.

Thank you.

The Route
First week
Starting line, sign in, do first 10 miles
Saturday 18th July
Lands End to Penzance
Day 1 Sunday 19th July
Penzance to Par
Day 2 Monday 20th July
Par to Princetown
Day 3 Tuesday 21st July
Princetown to Honiton
Day 4 Wednesday 22nd July
Honiton to Wells
Day 4 Wednesday 22nd July
Honiton to Wells
Day 5 Thursday 23rd July
Wells to Chepstow
Day 6 Friday 24th July
Chepstow to Burley Gate
Day 7 Saturday 25th July
Day Off

Second week
Day 1 Sunday 26th July
Burley Gate to Bridges
Day 2 Monday 27th July
Bridges to Holt
Day 3 Tuesday 28th July
Holt to Leigh







Day 4 Wednesday 29th July
Leigh to Slaidburn
Day 5 Thursday 30th July
Slaidburn to Orton
Day 6 Friday 31st July
Orton to Gretna
Day 7 Saturday 1st August
Day Off

Third week
Day 1 Sunday 2nd August
Gretna to Elvanfoot
Day 2 Monday 3rd August
Elvanfoot to Airdrie
Day 3 Tuesday 4th August
Airdrie to Ardchullarie More
Day 4 Wednesday 5th August
Ardchullarie More to Archallader
Day 5 Thursday 6th August
Archallader to Spean Bridge
Day 6 Friday 7th August
Spean Bridge to Drumnadrochit
Day 7 Saturday 8th August
Day Off

Fourth Week
Day 1 Sunday 9th August
Drumnadrochit to Bonar Bridge
Day 2 Monday 10th August
Bonar Bridge to Tongue
Day 3 Tuesday 11th August
Tongue to Isauld
Day 4 Wednesday 12th August
Isauld to John O'Groats
Finishing Line 1400 approx Yes!

Contact details
Mary Laver
Mobile 07975649162Tel No 0191 266 5197
Email mary.laver.e2e@googlemail.com
BNA 0191 284 2314
Email Alistair.Legg@bna.co.uk
Handicare 07985160675
Email eddie.peacock@handicare.co.uk

Feeding the Team

16 April 2009

Feeding the team

One, if not the most important component of this challenge, is feeding of the team. We intend to do this by feeding them with a good quality, well-prepared, nourishing and tasty diet.

The best way we can do this, even if it does cost a few pounds more, is the feed, where possible, with good Organic and Fairtrade produce.

At one of our organising meeting, because I wanted to prove that Organic and Fairtrade tast superior over the rest, I took a sample of organic foods for the team to try. I took along a mixture of and organic and none organic fruit and vegetables, organic and none organic milk. I got them to try organic Fairtrade coffee made with organic milk and organic sugar, I even got them to tast the difference between organic and none organic cheese. They were all surprised at the difference in the tast between the samples and agreed 100% we are going to be a Fairtrade/Organic feed team. I think I have also converted some of them to the organic way of eating.

Because of these finding, I wrote to Fairtrade telling them of the challenge, the fact we are going to be an Fairtrade/Organic challenge. That I have eaten Fairtrade food as far as possible over the years due to Fairtrade polices and organic foods. I asked them if they would they give me the honour of allowing us to use their logo on our promotion materials, tee-shits, vehicles ect. They, as you can see from the panel on the left, have granted us that right. Thank you Fairtrade, I will wear your logo with pride. You can find out more about the work of Fairtrade by visiting their web site http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/ if you wish to learn more about organic foods then please visit http://www.riverfordhomefarm.co.uk/

We will, if possible, be staying at YHAs and campsites that promote organic and Fairtrade produce. If you would like us to stay with you over night, there will be about seven of us in the team; we would gladly take you up on the offer. The route is on this blog or I can email it to you,

If you have any comments on this article then please do use the comments at the bottom of this page, I would love to hear from you.

Now to prepare for this afternoons meeting

HandiCare's 'Alex, BNA, BL and Some Team Members

11th April

Alex and part of the team.

Introducing 'Alex' My Chosen Power Chair

11th April 09

Part of my team

On the right hand side you will see a photograph of part of my team for this years challenge taken at 'The Angle of the North'.

In the photograph is Brian, the standard bearer with Jenny also of the RBL. Jeny from the BNA, John from Handicare, Margaret on of my personal care team members, Alastair manager of North Tyneside BNA, myself and Alex. This photograph was taken by a total stranger, Arron Maclean, whom we meet at the Angle. Thanks Arron.

You can find out more about Alex by visiting

http://www.handicare.com/handicare/pages/Product

BNA

http://www.bna.co.uk/

RBL

http://www.poppy.org.uk/index.php/give-money.html