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Ali
was happy that from a professional point of view all the criteria
in the job description would meet the requirements for the role
of medic/PA on the expedition. Jo was content to get the job description
in the Nursing Times for Thursday the 27th of January and Ali
was happy to let us use Stoke Mandeville to hold the interviews
and to carry out some additional medical training with the successful
applicant. I am really keen to get somebody on board as soon as
possible so that they can get involved with the team activities
and all the preparations.
Expedition
Team meeting. 'The years plan'
The expedition team met the following Sunday. Ben, Kiko and Woody
in my front room (fire going) filling in a Gant chart prepared
by Ben and myself a few days before. This would help everybody
get a visual image of what their roles are and what needs to be
done through out the next 10 months and by when. A lot to do and
sourcing the vehicles was very heavy on the agenda.
The Winston
Churchill Memorial Trust Interview for Expedition Grant.
The Driving Home expedition had been short listed after applying
for a grant from the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust and then
got through to the interview stage on the 12th of January. Being
11am in the morning meant getting down to the 'Village' (London
village) the night before ready for the next day. The 15 minute
interview was in front of Sir Terrance English, Mr Nick Danziger,
Mrs Boyd and Air Vice Marshal Nigel Sudborough CB OBE. The nerves
rose as I wheeled through the door. It was very difficult to read
into their reaction towards the expedition, but 25 minutes later
it was all over. I hope it went well! The grant could be vital
to helping us on our way to fulfilling our aims, so please cross
your fingers for us and find out on the 11th of February.
The Adventure
Show, Olympia London.
For anyone planning a trip The Adventure Show is really worthwhile.
The following Friday was a return trip to the 'Village' accompanied
by Ben and Kiko. The aim was to meet up with Caroline and Jo to
gain as much info and contacts as possible with regards to doing
a trans African expedition. There where 3 floors of stalls at
the show, it was a great success and the team left on a real high.
'The Best,
Worst Joke Award' of the month has to go lift attendant. When
I ask him how his day was going, he replied 'Oh, Up and Down!
(I thought he was funny, especially after surviving a whole day
in his lift!).
Prior to the
trustees meeting I met with Caroline and her good friend Lucy
Rivers-Bulkeley who gave the both of us some great advice and
ideas with regards to fundraising. She also performed one of the
best wheel spins in the mud I have ever seen. Thank you.
Project
selection at the Trustees meeting, 27th January.
All the trustees
for the new charity, 'The Colin Javens Spinal Injury Trust' (CJSIT)
where present at the meeting. Dr Tom Meagher was there representing
Stoke Mandeville Hospital and Jonathan Miall represented Spinal
Research. Both gave very good presentations on the projects they
would like the CJSIT to help fund. I also updated everybody on
the projects in Tanzania and Zambia we would like to fundraise
for (details will be on the website in due course).
We have got
a huge challenge ahead of the whole team, but I am really happy
in the direction the Driving Home project is taking. We have had
some truly great support in terms of encouragement and fundraising
from friends and family ( past fundraisers)
so I would like to thank everybody for their support.
Hopefully
February will see the arrival of the expedition vehicles and we
may get lucky with the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust. Keep
logging on to see how we get on.
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