50 days to go

Into the unknown…..which is really a metaphor for my trip to Africa in August.  Cool conditions again and lots of people on this long weekend. Four laps on this occasion and during what is now my regular training hike up the 1000 steps at Mt Dandenong in preparation for Kilimanjaro, I was crossing a road when the cloud rolled in making an eerie scene as the cloud silently engulfed the trees.   

64 days to go

Only 64 days to go until depature to Mount Kilimanjaro!

Went out yesterday to complete 3 circuits of the 1000 steps trail in the Dandenong Ranges National Park.   Good conditions for training, low cloud and about 10 degrees and I was surprised to see soooo many people out on a grey old day.

The track was very busy with walkers of all shapes, sizes and fitness levels but most pleasing of all was that everyone was out and about getting plenty of fresh air into their lungs.

I must have been slowing down on the 3rd leg, because I spied log covered in moss and fungus which was bridging the banks of a small creek that runs parallel to the walking track.   I clambered down and set up my camera and small tripod to capture the image only to be photo bombed by a beautiful small wren (sitting in the background).   

Dear friends,

Unfortunately I have make an early call and cancel the proposed Rock & Roll fundraiser night (scheduled for this Sat 19/5/12) I sincerely hope this does not cause you too much inconvenience and thank you to everyone who offered their support.  

 However, I am extremely humbled and pleased to say that so far with the support of generous friends, colleagues, donations/sponsorships and online donations I have been able to raise $9000.00

 I have just under 6 weeks left to reach my minimum goal of an overall target of $10,000 supporting Amnesty’s important mission to disclose human rights abuses.  

 With only 76 days before I depart Australia to commence the daunting challenge of ascending 5,895m/19,341 ft up Mount Kilimanjaro I am thrilled to say I am now more than ever motivated by Amnesty’s important work and buoyed by the support of many friends to tackle the mountain trek.  I must confess I did check the summit weather station temperature a few nights ago and saw it was mild minus 10 degrees!!!! ……..now where did I put those thermals!!!   

 I am less thrilled to say I recently endured 5…yes 5 at one time……. precautionary inoculations (Yellow fever, cholera etc etc), but, better be safe than sorry!!

 If you would still like to make a donation in lieu of the Rock & Roll night please visit my fundraising website to make a contribution http://amnestykilimanjaro2012.gofundraise.com.au/page/HardyM   (NB fundraising cut off date is 27 June 2012)

For more information on Amnesty’s important work view the Amnesty 50th anniversary video link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kX-WnlOCvXw    

Many thanks

The Mt Kilimanjaro Challenge Raffle was drawn at midday today and congratulations to:

1^st Prize   iPad 3                      M. Waring of Box Hill.

2^nd Prize Kindle touch              M. Clark of Box Hill North.

3^rd Prize iPod shuffle               C. Rowland of Kew.   

A Big Big thank you to all my friends and colleagues who purchased tickets in support of my challenge.

I am extremely pleased to say that so far with the support of generous friends, colleagues and ‘’new’’ friends via raffle ticket sales, donations/sponsorships and online donations I have been able to raise $8705.00 which is now ever so close to my overall target of $10,000 supporting Amnesty’s important mission to disclose human rights abuses.   

Marty

94 days to go!!

94 days to go....this means that training must now be disciplined and that I am now into the last 3 months of fundraising!!!!  I am so grateful for everyone's support and how many many people have got behind me for such an important cause.

My Mt Kilimanjaro challenge fundraiser raffle for Amnesty International in now in its last week ….to be drawn this Friday (4/5/2012) and I have only 10 tickets left and are desperate sell the remaining tickets to reach my raffle target of $5000 which then greatly assists me reaching my overall target of $10,000.     

A few weeks ago I was able in some small way show my appreciation to GE Australia and New Zealand for their support (GE have generously sponsored my for the sum of $2000) when I spoke to about 60 GE staff  about Amnesty's important work, my fundraising challenge and my career - I know I had a great time and hopefully provided an interesting topic for the group to contemplate. 

I continue to walking and carrying my backpack around the suburbs and soon will be spending a few weeks ends camping -testing out the equipment and my outdoor skills!!!!

Marty

Raffle update -

IPad 2 Raffle last weeks –now you have a chance to win the latest Apple IPad 3
I have been able to secure the latest Apple IPad 3 for the raffle’s 1^st prize –excellent news indeed.
 It is very tempting to take the brand new  IPad 3 out of its box for a fiddle!!!!! (of course I will not do that!)

The Mt Kilimanjaro challenge fundraiser raffle for Amnesty International in now in its last weeks and there are only 15 tickets left.  Don’t miss your chance to win and support me in aid of Amnesty’s important mission to disclose human rights abuses accurately, quickly and persistently; to mobilise supporters to apply pressure on local governments and ultimately stop the abuse.

I have included photographs of the prizes to be drawn on Friday 4 May 2012

1^st Prize –IPad 3 64 GB

2^nd Prize –E Kindle Touch

 

 

 

 

 

3^rd Prize –Ipod shuffle

 

114 days to go

Music night planned for 19 May 2012 :

I am in the preliminary stages of organising a ‘Rock Kili for Amnesty’ music night to be held locally at the St. Francis Xavier church hall on 19 May 2012.   I have been fortunate to have a music band ‘The Degenerates’ to offer their services for a night of music from 60,70 and 80’s – more information will become available shortly.

Raffle Tickets:

The raffle is still going well and with just under a month left to the draw date I only have just less than 30 tickets left to sell.

Training:

My regime of walking and cycling continues and will be tested now the cold weather is upon us!!

Only 114 days to go….!!!