What have i been doing?

Hello Again,

Thought i better give you an update.

Last week i booked the accomodation for our Ben Nevis trip in Late October! I am very excited about the Ben Nevis challenge, although, given the time it took us to complete Scafell Pike, i am a little concerned about how much time it is going to take to do Ben Nevis. It is almost a 1/3rd higher than Scafell and with the days getting shorter, we are going to have to leave at first light and crossed fingers, we'll be back before it's dark, I am not llooking forward to the prospect of being stuck on Ben Nevis in the cold, wet and Dark!

Anyhow, my documentary friend Karl has been working the people at the local Cotswold outdoor store, so hoping to get a little help with kit, so that will be ideal.

Today, Karl and I joined an Oxon 20's and 30's walk. It was a pretty good walk all in all, Jo, a lovely lady offered to be my guide which meant that Karl could get on and film footage. Unfortunately, the weather was pretty bad, i was pretty happy that i had my waterproof gear with me, although, it has highlighted that the seams on my waterproof trousers are not up to the job, so will be investing in some new ones before Ben Nevis!

Karl had taken the decision to carry a little extra weight as part of his training, what with the Camera kit as well, this proved to be a little to much for Karl at this stage! I took a little of the weight half way round and by the end, we were both pretty tired, so a good workout for us both.

We will be doing some interview filming with friends and family in the next few weeks, so i will let you know how that goes.

Karl and i have agreed to get in a regular mid week walk which will mainly focus on short, intensive walks to help build leg muscles and stamina. We will be joining the Oxon 20's and 30's again next week for another 9 mile walk.

I'll keep you posted.

Paul

Scafell and what not...

Well, apologies, i thought i had updated following my visit to the Lake District, Unfortunately, my helper at RM for fundraising events and the idea of a fundraising day has fallen through, so i will need to do some other promotions off my own back. No problem, my donation pots have turned up, so i will get these out and about to collect some money.

I have booked in a trip to the Altitude Centre in October and we are planning to climb Ben Nevis late October, that will be our toughest challenge yet, with it taking an average of 8 hours, meaning that we need to plan to be on the mountain ourselves for 12 hours, this will mean that we are going to have to leave at first light to get back before the light disappears at the end of the day. Quite daungting, so plenty of training going on to ensure that we have the best chance of getting up and down again!
I will as always, keep you posted over the coming weeks, but no major plans, just training hard.
Speak soon
Paul

Scafell pike, here i come!

Hello Again,

Well, it has been a bit of a whirlwind couple of weeks. As per my last update, i have no featured in the Oxford Mail, Bicester Review and on BBC Radio Oxford. In addition to this, i know have a small production making a documentary about my climb! This is all really great news.

I must admit, i am a little disappointed with the rather limited donations to the website following the media coverage, i thought it would generate a reasonable number of donations, in actual fact, it has resulted in only 3 donations so far.

I joined another organised walk at the weekend, 8.5 miiles, a good walk and did make my legs ache a little, so definately doing the trick! I have been in my make shift gym as per usual and now have a rowing machine as well in an attempt to increase my cardio-vascular thresh hold.

This weekend, i am going to be climbing the ever daunting Scafell Pike, so expecting some hard work, achey legs etc.

Still plenty of time to go, but plenty still to organise. I am hoping to book my simulated altitude this week with a view to actually doing the sim in October.

I will be visiting Helen & Douglas House at the beginning of September with camera crew to do a little footage. So a few things on the go, i will keep you updated.

Thanks
Paul

What a day!

Well, what a day Friday 29th July was. A number of things happened, all pretty cool. At around 10 AM, i recieved a phone call from a lday at the Oxford Love to", carl said. Now at this stage, i had not agreed to a documentary, but hey, in for a penny.....

I entered into the studio, Carl was confirmed as allowed and in we went. A small studio that was nothing like i expected made for a nice relaxed environment. We chatted on and off air, before the last section, Jo (The Radio Host) asked about Carl and i told her that we had only just met "Excellent, we'll talk about that in a second".

All done and Emma, Bethany and i returned home with Carl in tow. Carl and i had a goood chat about him, what he wanted to do and how things would work. I am very hopeful that working with Carl will result in some  increased publicity and more importantly an increase in donations, if we achieve at least that, i am happy.

So, the training continues, 2 weeks until Scafell, so plenty of garage time and a 8.5 mile walk next weekend.


All the best

Paul

I'm Famous!

Well, not quite famous, but i have made it into a local newspaper! Here is the web link and i also made it into print on Friday's edition! http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/archive/2011/07/22/Bicester+news+%28om_bicesternews%29/9154152.Blind_man_plans_to_climb_Kilimanjaro_for_charity/

All being well i will be on the radio on Friday as planned and today i recieved a call from the local local newspaper Bicester Review, so hopefully i will be in that in the next week or 2. Very proud of myself!

I went for a 6 mile walk with the Oxon 20's-30's on Saturday and it looks like i am going to be allowed to join! So after a little persistance and persuasion, they have finally agreed to take me on board! This is ral positive news and will hopefully open the door to some regular walks for me!

My total fundraising is up to£720, so this is definately positive. Plenty to go, and really hoping that the promotional work results in some donations!

I'm off to the garage for some training.

All the best, keep you posted.

Paul

I'm gonna be on the radio!

Hello Again,

Well on Monday evening i sent my press release to various newspapers and media outlets. So far, i have spoken to the Oxford Mail who are writing an article, they sent a photographer to work today to take my picture. I was sure to be wearing my Helen and Douglas house T-Shirt! Today i recieved a call from the BBC Oxford Radio show "Jo in the afternoon", they have invited me in next Friday so, i'm gonna be on the radio! Cross your fingers for the paper article as this is no gurantee, depends on the editor.

This is great news, i'm really excited and i cross my fingers that it generates some interest in my blog and more importantly, i hope it generates some donations on my just giving page!

I'm off on another walk with Oxon 20-30's this weekend, so things are looking promising on that front, hope this will open up some regular walks, particularly as my current walking partner Chris has hurt his back!

Speak soon

Paul

Update

Hello Again,
A quick update on how things are going.
Things are moving along with fundraising at RM. We are hoping to have some fundraising days late in October with some fundraising tasters in between times.

I have submitted my Media text to Helen and Douglas House for their experienced input, hopefully I will be in a position to go to the press and media in the next week or so, i really hope they are interested in my story, it will give a massive boost to my fundraising!

On the training front, i have been using the brick built step in my garage and working myself to exhaustion since climbing Snowden! this weekend i was out on a walk with the Oxon 20 - 30's walking group and all went well, i am very much hoping that they will have me as a member so that i can start regular walks with them. Later this week i will be out on an evening walk with Chris Willson, so plenty of training going omnm, the name of the game is "Hill Climb".
Speak soon
Paul