Still there??

Massive change  of plans then. And a slight break from the fundraising frenzy. I just got some more money from my very good friends the Brazilians and the Spaniards. I have had to put the expedition on hold for another three months, since it wasn't very realistic for me to leave in June. I am still very short of money, although my flight is booked and things are looking good again. I don't know what else to do regarding fundraising, will think about it once I'm settled into my new house...and that includes getting a cooker.

Cambio de planes, he tenido que posponer la expedicion hasta Septiembre, porque no era muy realista por mi parte el viajar en Junio...no tengo el dinero que necesito. Mis amigos Brasilenos y Murcianos me han apoyado con donaciones, asi que ya estoy mas cerca del total, aunque aun me quedan vacunas, materiales...etc. Pero soy optimista y se que lo voy a lograr. Tambien he tomado un descanso en cuanto a la recaudacion de fondos, porque he tenido un par de meses de locura. Esto de no tener casa espanta la rutina de un plumazo!  Me estoy asentando en mi nuevo hogar, y me pondre manos a la obra en cuanto consiga un frigorifico...stay put.

Cambio de planes/ Change of plans

He tenido que dejar de lado los esfuerzos de la recaudacion por circunstancias personales. Y tambien he cambiado mis planes. En lugar de irme de expedicion en Junio, he postpuesto la fecha hasta Septiembre. El dinero es la principal razon, y acabo de encontrar un trabajo que me permitira al menos ahorrar para cubrir todos los gastos que aun tengo pendientes. Si, he de cambiar mi vuelo...grrrr, mas gastos! Pero estoy contenta con mi ultimo verano en Londres. Todo el calor que el sol no proporcione me lo daran los amigos. Mas noticias pronto.

I had to put aside my fundraising efforts due to personal circumstances. I have also changed my plans slightly. Instead of going on expedition in June, I will leave in September. Money is the main reason, and I just found a job that will allow me to cover all the costs I have yet to face. I'll have to change my flight, and that means even more money...oh well, I am very happy with the idea of a last summer in London. The warmth I can't get from this squalid sun, I'll get it from my friends. Keep posted, we may have news soon.

Lo prometido es deuda/ Keeping my promise

Por peticion popular (como si alguno lo leyerais ;) comenzare a escribir en los dos idiomas.

Nos vamos acercando a la fecha limite, y los ultimos acontecimientos han sido favorables. Para empezar, he comprado mi billete!!! Ya no hay vuelta atras, me voy o me empujan. Todo gracias al padre de mi amiga Chloe, que pago casi la mitad. GRACIAS DAVE!! 

Un primer acercamiento al mundo del guitarreo acustico tambien fue existoso. En la foto podeis ver el gig que mis amigos Chris y Mark, Musicborn.com, organizaron el Miercoles en Barfly. Alli me fui yo con mi Raleigh-Hucha, y no veas el entusiasmo que desperte! La idea es ir siempre que pueda a sus noches. Organizan dos noches de conciertos con diferentes bandas todas las semanas. Si no trabajo, alli estare!

El reto de la bicicleta fue un poco chasco...porque la mitad del equipo no aparecio! Pero se agradece muchisimo la intencion de los chicos, que recaudaron £52...

Y manana me voy a Derbyshire, al curso de Primeros Auxilios. Estoy de los nervios, y me he quedado sin casa de repente. No en la calle, pero sin direccion propia. Asi que no me mandeis cheques ;) que no llegan...

Si estas ahi, y no eres mi hermana, comenta hombre, comenta!!!

As for popular petition (from my Spanish friends) I'll use both languages from now on. It is double the effort, and me being so lazy .... ;) But I'll try my best.

I was saying that the last events have been favorable. The cycling challenge wasn't THAT successful, we got £52. But I am very grateful to the Growing Life Team for all their efforts. And I'll miss them...now that I'm moving out! 

Better still, I have booked my flight! Oh-yeah, there is no looking back now. It's done deal. June. I'm out of here. Thanks to wonderful Dave Framptom, yes Sir. Still struggling though, although today I only allow myself positive thinking. Last Wednesday Musicborn.com, my friends Mark and Chris  (in the photo above) treated me to a really cool night of music, and supported the fundaisign through the mic! People's response was awesome, very sweet indeed. So I'll try and bring my Raleigh piggy bank to every event they do! For a first approach to the crowds, it wasn't bad at all. £27!! And they were all students :)
I'm going to Derbyshire tomorrow, for my First Aid course. I can't wait to tick it off the list!

Well, if you are actually reading this, and are not one of my sisters, be so kind as to leave a  little comment. I promise it helps!

And whatever you do, don't forget to DONATE TO THE RALEIGH CAUSE!!

With a little help from my friends...

Here they are. My Growing Life Heroes. John, Chris and Lui. This guys are being as kind as to be fundraising money towards my target at John's shop, Growing Life, in Newington Green. They will be cycling 40 miles around Clissold Park on March 14th, if the authorities allow! And it seems that they are doing well ('we are getting money for your holidays Pam')...so BRAVO GUYS!! And thank you soo much! Now I need to get to the street again to ask for sponsorship and in kind donations. Get ready, East London shops! Here I come again!

In other orther of things, I feel a bit nervous about the whole  fundraising process right now. Although an angel gave us a hand...by putting money towards my flight! David Frampton, a wonderful man from Whitby, dad of my friend Chloe, has sponsored me with a very generous cash donation to pay for my flight. And I have a friend in Spain who is looking into cheap flights...so we are not doing so badly. Still far removed from the intented money, and in need to pay for jabs, kit, and the first aid weekend course in Derbyshire. I really need to organise things a bit.
So keep posted, more news to come!

Donate to the Raleigh cause!

Unos vienen, otros se van

The path to fundraising is long and difficult. In conjunction with my inability to organize things that involve more than three thinking heads, it is also frustrating. The cycling challenge developed into a 'Costa Rican Day', only for the Council to ask me for endless forms and insurances. No, I will not do a risk assessment of my local park for such a small thing, thank you very much. So no music, no empanaditas, just the guys cycling, and I guess just ME cheering them up! It is a bit sad, isn't it? I can't conform to formalities...as Woody Allen hilariously says to the policeman in Annie Hall, after showing and then tearing apart his own driving licence: 'I have problems with authority'.

Passing Clouds is off the list too, they wanted me to pay for security people, bar staff, sound engineer... I'm trying to make money here people!! What part of FUNDRAISING do you not get? Thankfully, Musicborn are on board now and we'll look for another venue to organize a night to remember. Chins up!!

First Step Over and Out

It has taken me ages and learning some new skills, but at least the photos from the Quiz Night, my first fundraising event, are ready for you to see in the form of a presentation, courtesy of Picasa.
Now I'm focusing on the 40 miles cycling challenge my friends are doing the 14 of March. That's right. THEY are cycling. I am going to organise a marketing campaign around it. We are working on the poster, and I am researching companies that could be interested in sponsoring us. Another idea is having a music night at Passing Clouds, with a little help from my friends. As usual. Who would I be without them? Not someone going to Costa Rica, that's for sure. Let's go for the second round.

QUIZ NIGHT

Oh, what a pain. I've tried many times to upload the photos from the Quiz Night, but for some reason I'm unable to do so....This is our host, Lewis Allett, who did an amazing job.

Focusing now on other events, keep posted to see more photos. Donate to the Raleigh cause!!!!