1 Year To Go!

The countdown has begun.

It is exactly 12 months until I set out on my challenge in the heart of East Africa. Until today October 2007 has seemed a long long way away. Now the hard work starts!

Fundraising begins this weekend, many people have already contributed and I am already well on the way to my minimum target, there is still much to do though.

Watch this space..

Andrew

Every Pound Counts

I thought I would post a few facts and figures from the ActionAid website about where all this money being pledges actually goes. I find it quite heartening to actually see in black and white how each and every pound has such an impact on peoples lives:

£7 could buy the books a child in Ethiopia needs to start school.
£10 could buy hoes, buckets and a seed pack for a family in Zimbabwe to grown their own food.
£15 could train two local people in basic healthcare in Mozambique.
£20 could send a child to school for two years in Rwanda.
£42 could provide six people with safe, clean water in Mozambique.

So there it is, not a lot really is it!?

Bye for now

Please add your name!

Having been accepted onto my chosen challenge - next October in Tanzania, I have now set up my very own sponsorhip page through Just Giving. This can be found at http://www.justgiving.com/Andrewmaasaitrek and provides an easy and secure way for people to help me towards my fundraising target of £3000.
I am extremely grateful to all those who have already committed sponsorship for my challenge.

I will be organising a number of innovative and entertaining events over the coming months in order to raise the funds required, in the meantime if anyone has any (relatively sensible) ideas, please pass them on!

Many thanks

Confirmation

Hurrah,

I am delighted to report that as of today I have been officially accepted onto the 'Footsteps of the Maasai' trek supporting ActionAid. This 10 day challenge will 'take me to remote and rarely visited areas of the stunning Rift Valley in Tanzania...' as well as the opportunity to visit some of ActionAid's work in neighbouring Kenya.
I have given myself plenty of time to raise the minimum £3000 sponsorship target, the trip takes place in October 2007! But rest assured you will be kept up to date with my progress thoughout the coming 14 months.
Further information on the trek can be found at http://www.actionaid.org.uk/index.asp?page_id=1214 and I will in due course be setting up an Internet Sponsor Page where you can donate easily should you wish.

Until then, let the funds begin!

Andrew

Birthday Wishes

Well, today I am officially 'old'
I have reached my 30th birthday without too many problems, here's where the aches and pains kick in no doubt. Last night I spent the final evening of my 20's drinking whisky and listening to 7" vinyl from my youth. I was able to lose myself (for a short period at least), in the sounds of The Cure, Senseless Things, Kingmaker, The Frank & Walters, Mambo Taxi, Carter USM and others. Now, it's time to grow up....

So, I am still waiting impatiently by the letterbox for my confirmation of a place on my chosen trip. Until then I am reluctant to release the details to the www. I can say however that I have applied for a trek in Africa some time next year.

More will (I promise) follow soon

Andrew H (now 30!)

Is there a place?

Today I have sent off my application for my place on an adventure challenge. I will keep details under wraps until I have confirmation of my place but I have applied to join a trek organised in support of ActionAid as mentioned previously. Fingers crossed, I will be accepted on the trip and sponsorship/fundraising can begin in earnest. Watch this space.

Andrew

A vision is launched

In 17 days time I will be 'celebrating' my 30th birthday. Rather than produce the usual 'wish list' of present ideas for friends and family I felt a need to do things a little differently this time.
After much thought and reflection on a suitable way to mark the occasion I settled on a way to enjoy my milestone whilst putting aside material desires and do something a little more worthwhile.

It is for this reason that I have decided to enroll on a fundraising sponsored expedition to support my chosen charity. Although I have yet to register (I am still investigating possible options), it is likely that I will apply for one of the trips run by Action Aid http://www.actionaid.org.uk

This is a charity that we have supported for many years through it's child sponsorship scheme and one of the causes that I feel very stongly about.

Over the coming weeks I hope to settle on a suitable trip and confirm my place, all of which shall be recorded in these pages. In addition, I will of course be looking for sponsorship for my trip, details of which will also be posted here.

If you would be interested in supporting me on this venture I would be grateful to receive your comments.

Please check back reguarly for updates.

Many thanks
Andrew