March
2005. Pre-Expedition - Colin Javens
Days to departure: 221
The month started
with my first talk on the Driving Home project to the 'Retirement
Club' in Burghill, Hereford. A fully prepared PowerPoint presentation
with maps, facts and photos galore failed to work in front of sixty
members, tightly packed into the hall. Slightly embarrassed, the
show went on and ended with a promise to return after the expedition
with a fully functioning presentation. Many thanks to all the members
who kindly donated an overwhelming £200 to the project that
afternoon.
18th March,
Charity Dinners in Aid of our Beneficiaries
Two charity dinners on the same night, in London, in two different
locations, a challenge for any project manager! For me it meant
giving two speeches after some excellent training from a certain
Mr Tony Suckling a week earlier.
The first,
Cranfield University Sportsman Dinner, was organised by a committee
from the MBA rugby team. Charlie, Alex, Jono and Robin did a fantastic
job (good luck on rugby tour boys!) and with their great effort
and with some very, very generous donations of auction prizes
the night raised an excellent £18k.
The second,
a Dinner, Dance and Auction at the Radisson Marble Arch Hotel
organised by Caroline and Jo and a determined committee consisting
of Jonny, Will, Charlie, (togged up in Lion outfits) Lucinda and
Magda. Freya Mitton the auctioneer from Sothebys did a great job.
The night was a tribute to the whole team as well as Caroline's
family whose decorations ensured there was a distinctive African
theme to the night, and raised a staggering £17.5k.
I met some
great people on the night and I would like to thank everyone for
coming and being so generous and to thank all the individuals
and companies (http://www.drivinghome.co.uk/html/ballsponsors.shtml)
who donated a prize. The night wouldn't have been possible without
them.
Expedition
Planning
A trip to the Royal Geographic Society, a meeting with John Lloyd
from Land Rover and a presentation to the Hereford Lions Club
all took place this month. We are also still struggling to find
an automatic Discovery (300 tdi) that is suitable for the expedition.
Hereford
Fundraisers
Kiko, Anne and Val are in full swing organising a 'Ladies Night'
in Hereford for the 22nd of April. All ladies invited (Men Beware!)!
For information email info@drivinghome.co.uk
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