Posts tagged ‘Charity’

Mongolia: TeamGotMilk

Craig Philbrick and Matthew Scarfe are taking part in the famous 2010 Mongol Rally, in a team named “Got Milk“.

“The world is just a little bit too safe. Gone are the days where the edge of the map called you forth to discover what lay beyond – satellite maps and GPS have it laid out before you leave the armchair. What if you want things to go wrong? What if you want a bit of unknown in a world full health and safety measures? What if the words “adventure travel” conjure images of old ladies on a guided tour to Everest base camp with all the danger and real adventure neatly removed? What you need is the Mongol Rally.

Imagine yourself in the middle of the gargantuan Kazakh desert, your car slowly being shredded by the dirt track your map says is a motorway, completely lost hundreds of miles from civilisation with no back up crew to rescue you. Just you, your wits, your increasingly brown pants, a car that the laws of physics say shouldn’t have got you past Peckham Rye and a slightly angry looking man with a gun.

If this all conspires to make you think, “my goodness that’s a terribly silly idea” the Mongol Rally is probably not your cup of salted Mongolian tea. If, on the other hand, you think “hang on by gad, that’s exactly what I need”, you’ve found your calling, so read on to find out what you’ll be doing next summer.”

The event is not just for adventure, but Team Got Milk are taking part in aid of Mercy Corps… and they’re still seeking sponsorship.

“A third of the way around the earth, from Europe to Mongolia via a plethora of countries most people haven’t heard of in a car that has an engine with no bigger than 1 litre. Starting from England, Spain and Italy, the rally finishes in the Mongolian capital Ulaan Baatar around four weeks and a whole heap of adventure later. It’s between about 8 and 10,000 miles depending on the route you choose to throw your trusty steed at. We don’t believe in telling you what to do or where to go as this is supposed to be an adventure not a cosy guided driving tour, so the world is pretty much your oyster.”

Team Got Milk on Facebook, and whilst you’re at it, check out SFDO’s Facebook page.

3 Peaks Challenge: July 2010

3 Peaks Challenge: Gavin Williams Group

This is the challenge of a lifetime and will require you to climb the 3 highest peaks in the home nations: Scotland, England and Wales. Tackling Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon and doing it all in the space of 24 hrs…now that is going to be challenging! Climbing a total of approximately 3000 vertical meters makes this a special kind of challenge, and not one to be taken lightly.

Why not give yourself a goal to train for whilst providing yourself with an opportunity to gain friends for life? Put yourself to the test and join the Sparks 3 Peaks Challenge 2010. You will spend a brilliant weekend with like-minded adventurous individuals in this exhilarating and tough adventure.

Itinerary:

All timings are approximate:

Friday
1pm – Meeting in Chester/Early evening collection from Glasgow   International    Airport.    Transfer to Ben Nevis area for included overnight accomadation.

Saturday
7am – breakfast
9am – Morning ascent of Ben Nevis
2pm – Return to vehicle. Transfer to Scafell Pike.
Night – Scafell Pike climb (finish approx. 1am)

Sunday
1am – Return to vehicle and transfer to snowdon (arrive at approx. 5am).
Early Morning ascent of Snowdon.
Return to vehicle by 9am
Celebratory breakfast in Llanberis!
12pm – Transfer to Chester.

*** Challenge Complete! ***

“The experience was unforgettable and was all I had hoped for:, sun, rain, wind, cold, broken bodies, fantastic views, self doubt, car sickness, rallying, encouragement, and a sprint finish… FANTASTIC”
Bayo Marinho

Want More Information?
For more information, or if you would like to take part in this challenge, please contact Claire on 020 7799 2111 or email claire@sparks.org.uk

Who are Sparks?
Sparks is the children’s medical research charity. Our sole remit is to fund research across the whole spectrum of paediatric medicine.  Our goal is for all babies to be born healthy and stay healthy.

Every day 70 babies are born in the UK with a life-threatening condition or an illness that will affect them and their families for life.  Sparks aims to reduce this statistic so all children have the chance of a healthy future.

Unicef: Sport in a Box

Unicef: Sport in a BoxCan’t decide what to get someone for Christmas?

“The UNICEF Sport-in-a-Box kit has proved to be a popular item during emergency situations, allowing up to 90 children to engage in team sports activities and interact with other children and have fun!

The Sport-in-a-Box kit is a recent introduction, created as a result of experience gained during several emergencies. It is now more widely appreciated that sport is an effective trauma therapy for children displaced by war and natural disasters.

The kit contains items for teachers and students and is supplied in a lockable metal box. The kit can cater for up to 90 children playing simultaneously.

The kit includes balls for several types of games, coloured tunics for different teams, chalk and a measuring tape for marking play areas and a whistle and scoring slate. The composition of this kit has been a challenge, not only because of regional and cultural differences in children’s sports activities and games. For example, following a gender analysis of the kit, and in light of UNICEF’s priority of girls’ education, additional items aimed at encouraging physical activity and sport amongst girls were added.”

Check out the Unicef “Inspired Gifts” site, including smaller gifts.

WorldWide Challenge: Kilimanjaro

Scaling Kilimanjaro

At 5,895m, Mt. Kilimanjaro is one of the largest volcanoes ever to break through the Earth’s crust. Your challenge is to reach its summit.

Your trek starts in the rainforests of Lemosho Glades and heads upwards as you acclimatise on Shira Plateau. From here you will catch a glimpse of your goal Kibo, Kilimanjaro’s main ice-capped peak. You continue via the beautiful Southern Flank, Barranco Wall and Barafu Route.

Temperatures drop at night, allowing you to enjoy the crisp cool air under the star-studded African skies. During the days you’ll rise higher; often looking down on a sea of clouds.

There are excellent success rates (96%) for trekkers reaching the summit, but don’t underestimate the challenge ahead. Most trekkers will never have experienced a day as tough as this, with 1,000m of ascent and over 2,000m of descent. It is however victory day!

Costs and Dates:
There are a range of 2010 dates available for this trip, with corresponding minimum fundraising targets. For more information, or if you would like to take part in this challenge, please contact Claire on 020 7799 2111 or email claire@sparks.org.uk

Who are Sparks?
Sparks is the children’s medical research charity. Our sole remit is to fund research across the whole spectrum of paediatric medicine.  Our goal is for all babies to be born healthy and stay healthy.

Every day 70 babies are born in the UK with a life-threatening condition or an illness that will affect them and their families for life.  Sparks aims to reduce this statistic so all children have the chance of a healthy future.