Travellig as far from the UK as possible, relying on donated freebies..

helenstree

I am taking part in a sponsored event in aid of the charity Endometriosis UK.

The Challenge:
The aim of the event is that teams of 2-4 people are locked in cells in a Victorian prison before being released at Noon on the 7th March 2009. From this point, the teams have 36 hours in order to get as far away from the starting point as possible! The only catch is that the teams are not allowed to spend any money at all on transport and must rely on human kindness in order to reach their destination.

I will be taking part in this challenge with my partner, Matt. There are many teams registered to take part, however my sister Kate and her partner have also registered and therefore we are going head to head to beat each other! The challenge is not only to raise money for a brilliant cause, but to also win the biggest example of sibling rivalry you will ever see!


The Charity:
Endometriosis is the name given to the condition where cells like the ones in the lining of the womb are found elsewhere in the body.

Every month your body goes through hormonal changes. You naturally release hormones which cause the lining of the womb to increase in preparation for a fertilised egg. If pregnancy does not occur, this lining will break down and bleed. The blood is then released from your body as a period.

Endometriosis cells react in the same way – except that they are located outside your womb. During your monthly cycle your hormones stimulate the endometriosis, causing it to grow, then break down and bleed. This internal bleeding, unlike a period, has no way of leaving the body. This leads to inflammation, pain, and the formation of scar tissue (adhesions). Endometrial tissue can also be found in the ovary, where it can form cysts.

Endometriosis UK is a charity that is set up with the aim of improving the lives of people affected by endometriosis, to work towards a future where it has the least possible impact on those living with the condition.

My sister Kate has this painful condition and therefore we both know the great impact that this charity has in generating hope and support for sufferers of this as yet incurable condition.



I am currently writing/emailing/phoning major companies in order to try and gain some flights/car hire/train tickets etc for this challenge. I know its a cheeky request, and also quite a longshot, but does anyone know/work for/have ideas about a company that might be interested in donating tickets for this?

My partner and I are more than willing to undertake any advertising and promotion the company wants in return for their kind donations, and we will be generating as much media interest in our plight as physically possible!

We will be trying to get sponsors for our journey and we aim to raise a considerable sum for this very worthy cause.

If anyone has any ideas what so ever, please please PM me with them, I will forever be in your debt!

Thank you!

Helen x

kim_ley

Contact ANY company for ANYTHING you can get for free... that way you can swap donations for money or bikes roller skates bus ticket etc i have seen something like this on tv although i dont think its for charity but they blag anything and then swap for greater value and so on....

kim_ley

ALSO try to plan your route for example you don't want to jump on a bus that goes 40mins out the way before getting you somewhere that you could have got to by car in 5 mins! set up a donation site just giving.com its free and its also reccomended on the breast cancer care website.

full-time-mum

What about setting up some sort of blog? Maybe, once you have some tickets and a rough plan, you could blag lifts from people who are willing to support the cause.
If you can update your blog via mobiles whilst you're on the move, people can follow your progress and help out if you are anywhere near.

Are you allowed to blag airmiles etc before hand to buy your tickets? Maybe people would donate Tesco tokens/nectar points which could be exchanged before the date. The more airmiles you blag the greater the distance you would be able to travel.

Good Luck

ginvzt

I wish you all the luck!!! I hope you can get all the way to New Zealand - 36 hours should do for the flight...

ginvzt

Can people donate money for the flights, car hire, etc? An idea - can you contact local flying clubs or similar - maybe someone there would be willing to give you a lift (literally) to France or similar and then ask someone there if they would help you to get to the following country?... Just ideas...

helenstree

Thank you all for your ideas...I hadn't thought about airmiles/flying clubs or creating a blog.

All are great ideas, I'm going to start following these leads up and see what I can get.

I've contacted lots of different airlines and they all say they frequently donate to charity and so don't carry out these requests

Any more ideas?

mcspanna

what about the RAF? I've heard of them helping people before :-)

full-time-mum

helenstree wrote: »

I've contacted lots of different airlines and they all say they frequently donate to charity and so don't carry out these requests

What you need is a business man who has a private jet and is already flying out to US/Oz/Anatrctica or whereever already and would happily allow you to tag along.

Don't forget though that you are going to have to get back somehow so if you get to Oz is it going to cost a fortune to get back? Maybe you could hitch a lift back with said business man.

PS: where are you starting from?

ginvzt

How are getting on? Please, keep us updated!!!!

helenstree

I'm sorry about the lack of info, I'm in the middle of moving house and its all got a bit stressful!

I have contacted all the airlines that fly out of Birmingham Airport (as that is the closest to the challenge start point) but all that have replied have stated that they donate to their own charity each year and therefore can not help. Swiss Air did reply personally and although they couldn't help, they wished me luck on my challenge which I thought was lovely of them.

Once I'm settled in my new home I'm going to start writing to all those suggested above - private jet owners, flying clubs, the RAF etc. Its much harder work than I thought!

If any one has any more suggestions, please post, you guys are all really inventive!

Also, if anyone knows anyone that could help, I will be forever in your debt.

Thanks for all your wonderful ideas, hopefully they will be fruitful!

Helen