I'm Back!

I have returned!
I am happy to report that our group of 25 successfully completed the trek covering a distance of some 90km and so far raising an amazing £92,000 for ActionAid projects around the world.
Over the coming days I shall be posting photos and reports on an amazing experience, in the meantime, the fundraising continues in order to add to the growing total.

Andrew

In Nairobi

Greetings from Kenya.

I am housed inside the business centre of the Safari Club hotel in Nairobi after a short stop on our way to Tanzania.
We have spent the last 2 days visiting ActionAid sponsored projects such as schools and community water projects around the town of Narok - actually seeing the money you have donated in action. It has proved a very rewarding part of the trip giving a real insight into the work of ActionAid on the ground and the reception we have received everywhere has been warm and welcoming.

Today we leave for the bus ride to the border then on into Tanzania and our first camp stop - this afternoon we have a short trek to acclimitise then begin our journeying in earnest tomorrow from the town of Longido.

Best wishes
Andrew

2 Days To Go!

This will be the final post before I leave for Africa in only 2 days time!

A massive thankyou to everyone that has sponsored me to help me reach my target already.

After all the build up and anticipation, the fundraising and emails, I am now all set to make the trip on Saturday afternoon to the queues of Heathrow Airport Terminal 3.
After that is taken care of I will be off and away on my flight to Nairobi. We arrive early Sunday morning. From there we travel to the village of Narok to visit an ActionAid project at work, then into Tanzania to prepare for our trek. We spend about 6 days in the Rift Valley trekking with the Maasai people before finishing at the Ngorongoro Crater with a half day of safari. We then head to Kilimanjaro airport for our flight home via Nairobi.
See you when I get back!

Andrew

Target up!

Ding, ding, ding, ding

The bell sounds as my fundraising crashes through my £3000 sponsorship target. A big big thankyou to everyone who has helped me raise the funds for my trip - please continue to sponsor me though - the more money I can donate to ActionAid the better.
A special mention goes to Mark, Kate and Ellis who pushed me through the target barrier.

In other news, it is now only 18 days until I leave for Africa and last night I suffered a small scare when I was knocked off my bike by a car which chose not to stop at a junction - no major damage just a few cuts and bruises but a buckled front wheel has curtailed my training for the time being.

Apart from that - all is good and preparations are almost complete.

Thanks again
Andrew

1 month and counting...yikes!

It is now exactly 30 days until I set off for Africa...now it seems close!

This week I subjected myself to the trauma of vaccination - Typhoid and Yellow Fever (£45 a pop) plus perscriptions for the anti-malarial favourites - hallucination-inducing larium (£25).

This is all proving to be quite expensive!

Anyway - the training is going well, now just need to push along with the last few hundred pounds to my target (click above) and I'll be ready...maybe.

Update next week

Andrew

5 weeks to go

And so the date draws nearer.

It is now only 5 weeks on Saturday until I leave these shores, hop on a plane and go trekking across a desert.
I am now on the final push for my fundraising, if you haven't sponsored me so far, please please do add your name to the page by following the link above.

So, logistics wise - I now have my Tanzanian Visa safely implanted into my passport and today realised the need to check up on my immunisation status before I leave.
Training has been stepped up with the purchase of a new road bike enabling me to get some miles under my belt along with regular treks around the park at lunchtime of course!

It now looks increasingly likely that the Charity Auction will take place after my return from Africa as dates and times are running out fast - please watch this space for details.

Again, thanks to all for your support
Bye for now
Andrew

A year on!

One year ago I announced my intention to take part in a Charity Challenge to 'celebrate' the passing of my 30th Birthday. Tomorrow is my 31st birthday and I am happy to report that I am now in the final stages of my fundraising for my trip to Kenya and Tanzania leaving in 50 days time!

My current total stands at a fantastic £2693.15 after some much appreciated hard work and effort from friends and family. Thankyou all.

I am now on the final push to my £3000 target (and beyond if possible) so please, if you are still contemplating sponsoring me then follow the link at the top of the page and add your name, quite literally, every pound counts.

I still have plans for the Charity Auction that was postponed from July and I am looking into alternative venues and dates for this to take place in the Autumn. Please watch this space.

In the meantime, thanks again

Kind Regards
Andrew

Money & Visas

Today (Friday 27th July) is a significant date in the build up for my trek.

It is now only 71 days (10 weeks) until I leave for Africa and today saw my first commitment of 80% of my funding (£2400) due to be paid to ActionAid. This has now been completed.
The second was my payment of £38 for my Tanzanian Tourist Visa which I completed today.
Soon, will be vaccination time!

Andrew

Coffee!

A big belated thankyou to Dennis & Eileen White who (with the help of others) ran a very successful Coffee Morning last Saturday at the Baptist Church in Saffron Walden. They raised a magnificent £146 for my fund....thankyou very much indeed.

Yummy!

Hello
A big thankyou to everyone that baked and prepared cakes for my stall on Saturday - the event was a great success. All items sold and contributed towards a healthy £110 to boost my fund.
Next up is a coffee morning being held this coming Saturday from 10am - 12pm at the Baptist Church in Saffron Walden. There will be more information about my trek for you to view as well - see you there.

Many thanks

Andrew

Cakes Tomorrow!

Just a reminder that tomorrow (Saturday) I will be holding a cake stall in Saffron Walden Market Square to raise more funds for the cause. I have had several offers of donations for homemade goodies (more welcome) so please do pop along and sample some of the delights on offer.
We shall be open from 10am just outside Boots the Chemist, click here for a map.

In the meantime, I can now report my current total stands at a splendid £2190. Thanks to all.

Andrew

Up Next

Hi everyone,

After the success of the art exhibition and in particular the homemade cakes and biscuits I am now organising my next fundraising event.

I have booked a space for a stall on Saturday 14th July in Saffron Walden Market Square where I will be selling cakes, sweets and other delicious goodies. In addition, I hope to be preparing some special African favourites for sale as well.

If you are able to help out by either providing some cakes or biscuits or sparing an hour to man the stall with me then please do get in touch.

In the meantime I am very happy to announce that recent donations have boosted my current total close to the £2000 mark meaning I am very nearly two-thirds of the way to my target - thankyou to all.

Bye for now
Andrew

A Great Success

Well,
Thanks to everyone who exhibited, helped and visited us at the Art Exhibtion over Friday and Saturday. Also those that provided some delicious home-made cakes for sale. The total raised on entry fees, refreshments and commissions on sales was approximately £340 along with a number of other separate donations as well.

I hope everyone enjoyed what was a very successful event - look out for the next fundraising activity coming soon!

Andrew

Countdown to the Exhibition

Find Us Here

It's only 1 day till the Art Exhibition so here's a little taster of what you can expect:

Artist List (Updated):

Lizzie Mullin: Lizzie’s photographs were taken in various locations around East Anglia. Last year she decided to share her pictures and produced a 2007 calendar of North Norfolk Sunsets – an instant hit. She now produces greeting cards, and is looking to widen her portfolio with jigsaws, place mats etc as well as a coffee table book of local sights
Rachel Glibbery: Rachel grew up in Essex and studied fine art at college. Her collection was inspired by a painting for her daughter who is deeply into magical fairies and princesses. From that came more princesses, fairies and wizards set in magical fairy tale lands!
She uses acrylic on box canvas with glitter and sequins – and some magic fairy dust!
Rachel lives in Saffron Walden with her husband and three children
Clarissa Cochran: Clarissa has taught painting and drawing for many years in Community Education programmes including at Highpoint Prison. Although now mainly a textile artist she also likes to work in pastels and other media.
She lives in Radwinter and is Secretary of the Essex Craft Society
Veronica Shaw: Veronica paints figurative, abstract and portraits in oil on both canvas and board. Her work is sold through a number provincial galleries as well as in London. She currently teaches art on a one to one basis from her studio on a farm in Hertfordshire
Jane Buch: Jane has had an affinity with drawing for as long as she can remember, having always been drawn to compositions full of vibrant colour. She uses a mixture of pastel watercolour and acrylic to create simplistic yet imposing pieces. Her work is displayed in a number of local galleries. Jane lives in Manuden.
Anne Cardwell: Anne produces mosaics of one off contemporary designs for architectural, community and home settings. She also runs a Mosaic Workshop at her home in Saffron Walden with Gill Howe where participants can produce their own pieces of art.
Gill Howe: Gill has been working with Mosaics since 2002, being formerly a painter. She was drawn to mosaics whilst working on a mural in the Ukraine. Gill is a member of BAMM and along with Anne Cardwell runs Mosaic Workshops in Saffron Walden
Denise SelfDenise studied Art at St Martin’s in London before completing a 3 year foundation course in Textiles at the Hammersmith School of Art. After spending many years abroad she now paints watercolours, her preference being for Portraiture. She lives in Great Chesterford
Tony WhiteTony’s work is informed by natural forms and characteristically comprises spatial arrangements of colour and shape. He has held a number of successful solo exhibitions in the region and in 2006 was the featured artist for the summer exhibition at the Darryl Nantais gallery in Linton. Tony’s work has been commissioned for private collections, books and magazine covers and can be found throughout the world. He will be participating in the Cambridge Open Studios in July and is based in Newport.
Margaret Hammond Margaret produces framed and unframed paintings and cards of flowers, landscapes and still life in a variety of media, attempting to capture some impression of light. She lives in Saffron Walden and is Chairman of the Saffron Walden Art Society
Katy Ellis Katy graduated with an honours degree in Fine Art Painting from Glasgow School of Art in 1996. She then explored and studied during 2 extensive years of travel. Since then Katy has used her source work to create a series of evocative, richly painted, many layered watercolours of a range of subjects. She has shown her work widely throughout England, Ireland, France and America and now lives in Saffron Walden
Elenor PeckEllie studied fashion at Winchester School of Art and worked as a textile designer in London. She has been painting with acrylic on canvas for a few years and likes working with natural forms having been influenced by the time she spent teaching in the Caribbean. This has given her a particular interest in light and shade and the use of tropical subject matter. Ellie now works in Special Needs in a local school
Julie Weston Julie’s work is inspired by nature. She graduated from University having studied a course in illustration. Her interests in textiles and trying out new skills have led to her specialism of collage whilst her strengths are based on textures and colours. Julie has been inspired to exhibit at the Baptist Church as she feels the money raised is going to a good cause…Amen!
Kay Dumps Kay has been painting for a number of years and is self taught through having attended a number of adult education art classes in Dorset. Her work is oil on canvas and she lives both in Saffron Walden and Dorchester
Elizabeth Simmons Liz currently lives in Dorset and is self taught. Her ‘suncatchers’ are designed to reflect light and form and are made from leaded glass that can hang inside or out

In addition, there will be an ActionAid Information Stand displaying details and photos about the charity and the trek I am funding.
We will also be serving teas, coffees and soft drinks as well as homemade cakes and biscuits - all for a small donation.

Finally, a big thankyou to Yvonne and Trevor at Etymon Print & Packaging who are sponsoring the exhibition, you can check out their website here

I look forward to seeing you there.
Andrew

Postponed! :o(

Unfortunately - due to a number of circumstances I have had to make the difficult decision to postpone the Wine Tour, Dinner and Charity Auction at Chilford Hall. I was unable to guarantee numbers in order to pay for the event in advance.

However, as I have already received a large number of generous donations for auction I will be rearranging this in some form later in the summer/early autumn to round of my fundraising.

In the meantime, I am concentrating my efforts on the forthcoming Art Exhibition which promises to be a successful and enjoyable event. Further details to follow soon.

Thanks
Andrew H

Prizes Galore

Just to update you all on current activities.

Art Exhibition
We now have approximately 12 local artists confirmed for the art exhibition at the Baptist Church on 8th and 9th June. They will be exhibiting and selling a variety of work including Paintings, Photographs, Mosaics and Textiles. Entry is only £1 on both days.

Charity Auction
I am now able to offer Company Table sponsorship deals for the Wine Tour, Dinner and Auction on Saturday 14th July at Chilford Hall in Linton. For a total package of £350 your company can entertain up to 10 guests and be included on promotional material for the event. A £100 deposit will secure your individual table, please contact me directly for more details.

In addition, I can confirm some of the prize donations already received for the auction as follows:

Prize (Guide Value)
Admission for 5 adults to Duxford War Museum (£75)
Family Ticket for Mole Hall Wildlife Park (£20)
Courtesy 2-ball Round at SW Golf Club (£50)
1 Hour Family Lesson with Mike's Tennis Academy (£40)
2 Days on Tennis Holiday Camp with Mike's Tennis Academy (£60)
3-Course Sunday Lunch at Duxford Lodge Hotel (£40)
Manicure & Varnish at Lizzie's Health & Beauty (£45)
Night in Bridal Suite at Crown House Hotel (£300)

Many thanks to our donors already confirmed. Many more lots to follow soon.

Andrew

Du Vin?

The second of my exciting fundraising 'double-header' is the forthcoming Wine Tour, Dinner and Charity Auction taking place on Saturday 14th July at Chilford Hall, Linton.
We already have a superb collection of lots for the auction including meals at local restaraunts, entry to local attractions, round of gold, cookery lessons and even a night in the bridal suite of a local hotel.
Tickets are limited so please get yours now!
More details below:

All things Arty

More details below of the Art Exhibition I am holding in June to raise more funds.

Dates are Friday 8th/Saturday 9th June, 10-5 each day. Entry to the public is only £1.

Viewing and sales throughout the 2-days.

If you are an artist interested in exhibiting some work, please get in touch as I have just a few spaces left.

The Results and More Events

Apologies first of all for the slight delay in updating the blog. Last week was rather hectic.

Anyway, first off, the quiz night was a great success thanks to everyone who came along and congratulations once again to the winning team. The final amount is still to be confirmed but it looks like I managed to raise approximately £60 from the evening which is great, thanks again.

Next, those of you at the quiz will have heard me mention 2 very special events coming up in the summer - I can now confirm more details.

The first of these will be a 2-day Art Exhibition at Saffron Walden Baptist Church on Friday 8th and Saturday 9th June. Entry to the public will only be £1 and there will be a mixture of work to view and buy (I will be taking a commission on sales) over the 2 days. More information will be released in due course (opening times etc). But in the meantime if anymore artists would be interested in exhbiting work then please get in touch via my contact details.

Finally for now, I can announce a very special Wine Tour/Tasting, Dinner and Charity Auction evening at Chilford Hall Estate on Saturday 14th July. Prices are to be confirmed and more details will be available very soon but in general terms the evening will involve small group tours of the vineyard and wine tasting sessions followed by a 2-course meal and culminating in a charity auction for which I already have some superb lots. Again, please spread the word and contact me for more details.

Bye for now
Andrew

As a little PS, for those of you concerned about my recent lack of footwear, fear not (hopefully). I am currently testing out at home the Valles eVent Walking Boot by Technicals - so far so good.

Quiz Night Reminder

Hi All

Just a quick reminder about the Quiz Night I am hosting on Saturday 31st March at Great Chesterford Community Centre to raise funds for my charity trek in October

We need a few more teams to make the evening a success so if you are able to come along (even if you don't have enough for a team of 4-6) please let me know.
Also, if you know anyone that might be interested in joining us please persuade them as well!

Cost of entry is a mere £2 per person, and we start at 7:30pm.

Please also bring any drinks/snacks for your teams with you as well.

Click on the link below for a map to the venue
Location

Thanks in advance

Andrew