Post Expedition Dinner at the RAC Club in Pall Mall. 1st November 2006
The expedition vehicle will be on display in the foyer of the RAC Club for all to see.

Fundraising Dinner Dance, Jersey 23rd September
Lesley Garret will be performing at this prestigious event.

'A Quadriplegic’s Journey through Africa’ 13th September 2006

Talk by Colin Javens & Frank Gardner OBE in aid of The Colin Javens Spinal Injury Trust and kindly sponsored by Land Rover Experience. Royal Geographical Society, 1 Kensington Gore, London

Regents Park 10km Run June 3rd 2006  

A hot day in Regents Park saw about 15 runners join the Mornington Chasers 10km run, in aid of the Trust.  Everyone successfully finished raising approximately £3,000, all of which will be donated towards research into spinal cord repair.

The Annual Cranfield Sportsman’s Dinner took place at the RAC Club on May 19th.

In support of the Trust. 120 people came along to hear Colin speak about the expedition, followed by dinner, and a hilarious talk by former England cricketer Geoff Miller. The auction was a huge success, with amazing lots including a holiday on a private island in Fiji, tickets to Wimbledon men’s semi finals, and a safari in Tanzania. The evening raised a total of £30,000, so a massive thank you to the MBA boys at Cranfield for supporting us with this great event again, and to Vodafone for sponsoring the evening. 

Charity Week at St. Mary’s School, Calne - Jan 2006

The school adopted The Colin Javens Spinal Injury Trust as their chosen charity for their annual charity week.  Activities included disability awareness talks and exercises run by Jo, and culminated in a weekend of fundraising activities run by each year group.  They raised over £1,200 for the Trust.

Jersey Half Marathon - Nov 2005

Congratulations to everyone running in the Ashburton CJSIT team at the Jersey half marathon on Nov 20th.  Over £40,000 was raised in this event.   It was a beautiful course through Jersey countryside although with perhaps one too many hill for the team’s liking! Craig Farley from Ashburton recorded the fastest time of the team of 1.28 followed by Ed Launders over from the UK in 1.35.  The girls were led by Caroline in 1.55 hotly pursued by the rest of the team which awarded them the 1st Open  Ladies Team prize.  Derek Breed—our Chairman and Pauline his PA also participated, finishing the course strongly. The event raised around £40,000 which is a fantastic effort—Thank you Ashburton for their support and to everyone who ran, supported and fundraised.

Expedition departure event - Nov 2005

About 100 people were at Stoke Mandeville on Nov 7th 2005 to see Colin and his team off on their amazing expedition. Amongst these people were personal supporters, sponsors, charitable beneficiaries of the Trust, and huge interest from the Press. In between speeches and last minute logistics, everyone was interviewed by local papers and radio, as well as BBC and ITV news, and on the same day an article appeared in the Times. After a final speech from Sir Jimmy Savile the team finally cut the ribbon and set off for Portsmouth, the first leg of the journey. It was an amazing day for all involved, the culmination of a lot of work that has gone into getting Colin and the team this far. We wish them the very best on their epic journey.

Land Rover Enthusiast Show, Billings Aquadrome – July 2005

The first opportunity to see both vehicles side by side and to have most of the team together. Billings, the largest Land Rover Show of the year in the UK was a great opportunity to increase awareness of Driving Home, spinal injuries and of the technology that will enable Colin drive a 4x4 through Africa amongst the die hard Land Rover Enthusiasts. The stand was in a prime position alongside Land Rover Experience who had the Judge Dread vehicle on show to attract lots of interest. The team sold Driving Home T-shirts, designed by Nikki Barlow in Kenya which were well received and also held a raffle with first prize of a weekend stay in the Isle of Wight. Over four days this made £600. The show was also an excellent venue to barter for expedition kit, and we received extremely generous sponsorship from Discoparts and superb discounts from many others who were keen to support the work of the Trust. We were able to further develop our relationships with Trek Overland and Land Rover who kindly donated us 50% of their off-road driving proceeds, a further £1,500

A Walk Along Offa's Dyke -By Pauline Beaton and Val Javens

Extract from Pauline's diary :- "Bit depressed! So nervous about this walk this time - there seems to be so much more hype about walking now. I am so worried we will not be up to it and also that we will have bad weather which will make it miserable." click here to read the rest >>

Gowrings Mobility Show

Several members of the team put up a stand at Gowrings Mobility Show at Newbury Showground. The aim was to increase awareness of Driving Home, spinal injuries and of the technology that will enable Colin drive a 4x4 through Africa. The stand, although positioned in a very windy corridor outside attracted good attention with many people keen to follow our progress over the coming months. The raffle made £300. It also enabled us to make contact with Chartwells Insurance who have very generously insured Colin’s Discovery Expedition vehicle for free. Many thanks for their sponsorship. Dame Tanni Grey Thompson attended the show and took time to speak with Colin offering her support and encouragement.

“I am pleased to offer my support to Colin …(he) has shown enormous determination …. and great mental strength following his accident 4 years ago. ..I know that his attitude and the support of his team will be invaluable in the coming months.’  Dame Tanni Grey Thompson OBE

Ladies Night, Hereford: April 22nd 2005

Raised £2000, thanks to Kiko Mathews

Cranfield University Sportsman's Dinner, London: March 18th 2005

The Inaugural Cranfield Alumnus Sportsman's Dinner took place at the Institute of Chartered Accountants on March 18th 2005. 150 people attended, to listen to Squadron Leader John Peters ( co-author of Tornado Down and of Iraq fame) and ex England hooker Brian Moore speak, as well as to take part in a charity Auction. The auction, which included a holiday in the Seychelles, Wimbledon debenture tickets, and a Breitling watch, raised over £18,000

Dinner / Dance Dinner Dance Radisson Marble Arch Hotel: March 18th 2005

We had a fantastic evening on the 18th March. At the Radisson Hotel, greeted by lions and African costumes the guests enjoyed a champagne reception and a delicious three course meal and dancing. The raffle tickets sold well, and the auction flew with the kind help of Freya Mitton from Sothebys and raised £5,500 out of the £17,500 total profit made.

Pauline Beaton's Jewellery Parties: 24th and 26th October, 2004

An old family friend from Kenya whose home nestles in the hills of the Masai Mara Conservation Area, Pauline decided to donate the proceeds from her Kenyan Jewellery parties to Driving Home. Pauline inveigled various people to host parties for her here in the UK and her beautiful African jewellery sold like hot cakes. Guests were amazed by the variety and diversity of Pauline's gems; some very successful early Christmas shopping was done. Christine Barnes in Cheshire and Margaret Fone in Sussex acted as hostesses and Pauline was able to donate £313.00 towards Colin's Driving Home Project. Colin's sincere thanks go out to Pauline as well as the ladies who hosted the parties. 

Wye Valley Sponsored Event: Sunday 26th of September

Organised by Anne Griffiths. The Driving Home team met Anne during the sponsored abseil down M&S in Hereford. Anne's enthusiasm for the project has been absolutely amazing. Anne organised 2 groups of people. The first carried out a sponsored canoe down the river Wye from Kerne Bridge to Monmouth [14.5 miles] and the second group walked/cycled from Monmouth to Symonds Yat and back [14 miles] or walked from The Biblins back to Monmouth. It sounded like a great day out and an amazing £1500 was raised. Colin would like to thank Anne and everybody who took part in the event and he is very glad to have forged new friendships.

Sandie Pelling's Ascent of Kilimanjaro: 5th - 11th July, 2004

Sandie Pelling, Val Javens's school chum, decided to take on what, for her, was the ultimate challenge. Fearful of heights, and now aged 50, Sandie's determination to help Colin in his bid for raising money and awareness for people with Spinal Injuries, saw her attempt to climb Africa's highest Mountain, Kilimanjaro. It was physically the most challenging thing she had ever done, but then standing at 19,340 foot above sea level it would be! She raised an amazing £1,170.00 which is an absolutely fantastic contribution to Driving Home, for which Colin is hugely grateful and his thanks go not only to Sandie for actually taking on Kilimanjaro but to all the people who sponsored her and particularly to Geoff, her husband, for his unstinting support.

Lynn Stokes' Quiz Night: 9th July, 2004

Aided and abetted by her good friends Toni Pitt and Di Jones, Lynn Stokes, wife of "Brummie", ex-SAS and Everest Summiteer, spearheaded the organisation and management of a very successful quiz night held at the Railway Club in Hereford. A great evening was had by all, although one or two people found out how stupid they really were, particularly Colin and his mother! Together with various raffles £856.00 was raised. Colin's gratitude to Lynn, Toni and Di for all the work they put into making the night such a success is immense!

Disco and supper at the Kenchester Water Gardens: Saturday June 26th, 2004

organised by Sue and Tim Green and Keith Benjamin Moreton on Lugg, Hereford
Another really good evening with many from Moreton on Lugg attending as well as a group from a carpet company from Hereford. Everyone was welcomed with Buck's Fizz or alternative and the buffet supper consisted of homemade sausage brochettes, wonderful crispy salads and an array of inviting and definitely not calorie-free puddings. Amount raised: £250.

Abseil off Marks and Spencer's in High Town, Hereford: Saturday June 5th, 2004

organisers Colin Javens, Ben Matthews and Kiko Matthews.
Organised by the three of the expedition team, Colin, Ben Matthews and Kiko Matthews, 45 people hurled themselves off the top of M&S. The day was an outstanding success not only with the participants themselves raising well over £2,500 but the collection made on the day amounting to £300. People were incredibly generous and two young lads who were determined to take part raised enough money on the day to be included in the fun!
Amount raised: £2,800.

Safari Supper: 22nd May 2004
courtesy of the Moreton on Lugg Ladies and their Husbands.
An evening of indulgent hilarity started at the Normans in Moreton on Lugg where Rob had prepared the most delicious hors d'oeuvres. People were encouraged to dress a la safari; there were leopards, zebras, Zulus, hunters, Landrover drivers, people sporting look-alike rifles, safari suits, and spears! On to the Benjamin's, winding through the village, where the most delicious curry and stroganoff was served in the garden. By midnight, only the walk to the Greens, enabled a little space for the marvellous array of puddings: banoffee pie, trifle - countless others. Finally on to the Reynolds where the liquors and chocolates put the pure decadent cap on the whole evening. An evening to remember!
Amount raised £250

Cabaret Night at the Richmond club, Hereford: 30th March 2004
organised by Dave Jackson
Spearheaded by 'Jacko' Jackson, an owner/driver for Hereford Taxis, local entertainers enthralled the gathering at the Richmond club with their Neil Diamond/Robbie Williams impressions as well as their renditions of well-known sixties and seventies songs. Together with the raffle as well as a special 'three bottle' special raffle, the evening netted £480.

Evening Soiree: 27th March, 2004
courtesy of Dr and Mrs Matthews and family
Jonny Depp provided the beautiful, haunting guitar music, the lyrics focussing on the counties Gloucestershire and Herefordshire, whilst the Matthews family and friends provided a wonderful dinner for 34 people.
Casually formal, whilst cosily homely, the evening was thoroughly enjoyable and the gathered throng gave generously towards Driving Home. Approximately £2,000 was raised that night.

Dinner and Dance/Auction at the Race Course in Hereford: Saturday 13th March 2004

organisers Colin Javens, Ben Matthews, Del Jones, and Kiko Matthews.A black tie Dinner and Dance, with the band 'Big Top' providing the dynamic music, was held at Hereford Racecourse on Saturday 13th March. The meal reflected the African theme; echoed in the wild animal décor. Balloons, courtesy of Looney Ballooney of Hereford, representing the Spinal Research logo; four silver balloons with a red one in the middle! During the meal guest had the opportunity to take part in a silent auction where they could place bids for auction items on lot papers, which where later collected, sorted and the prizes where presented to the highest bidder. As coffee was served the esteemed auctioneer, Mr B Javens used all of his skills to sell 5 other kindly donated items, ranging from a river boat cruise up the Avon to two premier day passes to Hereford Racecourse.
The evening was a great success, netting £3,000 with the accompanying auction raising £2,000.