Great South Run and more money...

Hi,

Over the last three weeks, quite a lot has happened concerning both money and miles on the journey to Honduras.

About two weeks ago, I was lucky enough to receive a £300 donation from a charitable trust, so thank you very much (if you're reading this)! There was also a family party in Coventry and a few family members have already donated money, which is great, and a big thank you if you are reading! I also had a donation from a family friend on Virgin Giving, so if you feel like it you could do the same here! http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SamNeill1

We've also done a lot of miles over the past three weeks. A lot has been done on the turbo trainer (indoor bike) because of the weather and not having much time to go out together. All five of us did go on a 15 mile ride a few weeks back which was great, and 75 miles to add on to the total.

Last Saturday, Jack and Luke did the Junior Great South Run (1.6 miles), and then on Sunday, Mum and I ran the ten mile Great South Run, and despite the wind (Ewan Thomas said it was the hardest one he's ever done!), we did in only six minutes slower than last year! It was a great day, but unfortunately I won't be able to do it next year as I'll be in Honduras...it's over to you Jack! :)

Today, we covered 100 miles! Dad, Jack and I rode 31.5 miles on our bikes, which was a great ride because it was a route we've never done before. Mum also went for a five mile run whilst we were at the cricket nets, which totalled to 99.5 miles. So, after tea, Mum did the last 0.5 miles on the turbo trainer (thanks!)

We now have a total of over 1400 miles, which is almost 27% of the total of 5265 miles.

This week, I got a letter from Castlepoint saying that I would be able to hold the event that I wanted to do there. At the end of May, we're going to cover the final 500 miles of the distance to Honduras on static bikes/turbo trainers at Castlepoint, so thanks very much to Castlepoint for letting me do this!

We spent Monday to Wednesday up in London, which was good fun. We stayed near Tower Bridge, and did loads of exciting things. We went on the London Eye, saw the Lion King Musical and watched the street performers in Covent Garden. It was a great few days and a shame to come home, but when we got home, I found out that I'd got my first university offer! Aston, which is going to be my back-up choice, have offered me a place (now just for the other four!)

If you're reading this and have got a bit of money lying around, please go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SamNeill1 and donate what ever you can, it would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks for reading,

Sam :) 

New Forest Sportive

Hi,

At the weekend, 270 miles were covered by Dad, Mum, Jack and myself! On Saturday, Dad and Mum did the 40 mile sportive, covering a total of 80 miles, so well done to both of you! Then, on Sunday, Dad did the 40 mile route again, and me and Jack did the 70 mile route, so 180 miles overall. The route was quite hard but it was a good day and we all really enjoyed ourselves! I also rode to school and back on Saturday for the admissions testing for new year 7's, which gave another 10 miles. After more miles covered on Monday, Tuesday and today on the turbo trainer and by running, we have done a total of 1082 miles, which is over 20% of our total of 5265 miles.

On Tuesday, I posted all the letters to the charitable trusts, after a lot of envelope writing on Monday night! Hopefully I'll get some positive responses soon to really kick off my fundraising! I've also booked a local hall for a quiz night in March of next year, which I know is a long way off but if you're reading this and want to come, then get in touch! My school also gave me some information about gap year scholarships, so I've started writing a letter to them and hopefully some money will be on its way!

Thanks for reading my blog!!

Sam

One month in...

Hi,

So I'm already one month into my fundraising year, and everything seems to be going pretty well. This month, overall, in the bike ride/run to Tegucigalpa, 735 miles have been completed, so thanks to Jack, Luke, Mum and Dad for all your miles over the last month...only 4530 to go now!! Me and Mum did a 9.8 mile run on Sunday, the furthest since the Great South Run last year, which was pretty hard but worth it for the miles, and training for the run itself!

This weekend, Mum and Dad are doing the 44 mile Wiggle New Forest cycle ride, and then on Sunday Jack, Dad and Me are doing the 70 mile version (I don't know how Dad will cope!!!). This will total to just under 300 miles, which will be amazing for just one weekend!

I have finished my letters to charitable trusts and they are being printed out today, as well as those that I have written to as many other people I can think of (family, friends etc.). I have also received a letter from my school's headmaster saying that I should be able to get some money from the school's travel bursary, which is great news!

I guess I'll be writing a lot of envelopes this week/weekend, which will mean (hopefully) that some charitable trusts respond positively and give me some of their money! I'm also going to book a local village hall, where I intend to hold a quiz night in the new year, and I'm going to write to local supermarkets to try to organise a bag packing event.

I've also just sent of my university UCAS application, so now that's out of the way, I can concentrate a bit more on fundraising and other events!

Thanks for reading,

Sam