TrailWalker – Walk 100km for Charity

Donate for charity 🙂

Especially for my English friends or dwellers of the English kingdom – I don’t know how much publicity this event gets there, but do chip in whatever you can for Weyn, who will be walking 100km (hah! you like this? Internet publicity?) Here’s his original invitation:

—– Original Message —–

From: Khai Weyn Ong

To: friends@everywhere.com

Sent: Monday, June 25, 2007 9:49 PM

Subject: Trailwalker

Hi everyone,

In just 19 days from now, on July 14-15, I will be in the south of England walking 100km (62.5 miles) in under 30 hours.

WHAT?!

Yeah. It’s a long way to walk, isn’t it?To put it in perspective, if you’re barreling down the highway in your favourite car at 100km/62.5miles per hour, it will take you a whole hour to cover the distance I’ll be walking. That’s almost 2 1/2 marathons. Granted, I will be walking, not running, but still – it’s a long way.

I will be in a team of 8 people (two teams of four, really), all of whom are somewhat underprepared but very excited about taking part in this challenge. The event is called Trailwalker and it is organized by Oxfam, one of the major charity organizations in the world, together with the Queen’s Gurkha Signals (a particular bunch of soldiers in the British army – I’m a little hazy on the details).

BUT… WHY??

Ostensibly, the main aim is to raise money for two very worthy causes – Oxfam and the Gurkha Welfare Trust.But really, we’re doing it mostly because we think it’ll be a good challenge and lots of fun. I mean, walking up and down rolling hills for 30 straight hours, without any sleep… what’s not to like about that?

You’re crazy.

It will be tough, not in a superhuman way like those Ironman athletes (Hi Rhae!), but in a “My body is aching everywhere; I’m not an athlete; I want to stop; why am I doing this again?!” way. We went on a practice walk last weekend and covered about 47km of the Trailwalker route in two days (7 1/2 hours on Sat, 4 hours on Sun), and it was difficult. It’s hard to imagine what doing 100km straight will be like – painful, for sure!The route itself is beautiful with some stunning views, but is also very exposed. Last weekend, there were times when there were heavy downpours and strong winds, but bad as that sounds, it probably isn’t as bad as a clear day when the hot July sun is beating down on us.

So why are you telling me?

Remember how I said it was a fundraising event?

Okay. How much do you need?

Each team of 4 people needs to raise at least £1,500 (US$3,000). That’s £375 (US$750) a person. More is better, of course.

Why should I help you?

It’s not me you’re helping, actually. Funds raised from Trailwalker are used to support the work of Oxfam and the Gurkha Welfare Trust. Both organisations share a vision – to overcome poverty and suffering. The Gurkha Welfare Trust works in Nepal with ex-Gurkha soldiers and their wider communities. Oxfam also works in Nepal, and in more than 70 other countries worldwide, helping poor communities to build a better future.

Some examples of the real difference your donation can make:

• £23 could pay for 10 Oxfam buckets. These save lives. Specially designed to be hygienic, secure and comfortable to carry by hand or by head, they play a vital role in any emergency and beyond.
• £24 could pay for a goat. Goats are great.
• £30 could pay for school dinners for 50 hungry children.
• £50 could pay to help someone start their own business. The start they need to work their way out of poverty. Baking…weaving…fishing…most importantly, a much-needed regular income.
• £72 could pay for a day’s supply of safe water for 100 people. Every day, more than 25,000 people die from disease caused by contaminated water. Water filters help to keep people alive.
• £160 could pay for 500 trees. Planting fruit trees helps poor communities become more self-sufficient.The trees also provide shelter, and help to prevent soil erosion.
• £460 can repair the roof of a school in Nepal.

Here’s a website that gives you more ideas on what your money can buy (it’s quite funny – worth a visit!).

Okay.How do I give you my money?

http://www.bmycharity.com/weyn

Most major credit cards accepted.

 

Please visit the Trailwalker site, check out the video and have a browse to find out more about the event.Any amount you can contribute, no matter how small, is most appreciated. Think of the people you’ll be helping, and think of poor me trudging around the English countryside all through the night…

Thanks for your support!! And let me know if you have any ideas on how we can stay motivated enough to complete the course…

Weyn

Here’s a map showing the route taken, and here’s the team’s fundraising page.

And finally, here’s where you go to donate.