Coast to Coast Eco Challenge for BucksVision

Hi, I did it ! After a year off with withdrawal symptoms I came back with a Charity Fund Raising Challenge for June 2010.

This year I raised funds for BucksVision, bucksblind.co.uk . In the company of four friends I completed the COAST TO COAST ECO CHALLENGE. Over three days, walking 8 to 9 hours per day covering 55km and climbing to over 2,500ft, I travelled from the East to the West Coast of Scotland (more details at the foot of this page).

You can watch my VIDEO DIARY at youtube.co.uk and search under tfmgtv . All the Parts are entitled Coast to Coast Eco Challenge Part 1, 2, 3 etc.

youtube.com/watch?v=YAuDD4-B_dM

So far including off line donations I have raised nearly £3,000.

You can still donate. HOW CAN YOU DONATE ?

Donating is easy through this site. Click on 'Get involved' and then 'Give Money' to donate by either credit or debit card. Don't forget to pass on Gift Aid. You can send me a cheque, made payable to BucksVision, or just give me cash when you see me.

I know that financially times are tough for many at the moment but there is always someone who needs our help. Please donate what you can. Every penny helps. Thank you very much.

WHY BUCKSVISION ?

My Father, who is now 75 years old, volunteers his time for free to the Charity and I wish to support him in the best way that I can.

BucksVision is a local registered charity. Staff and volunteers provide a wide range of services for blind and partially sighted people throughout Buckinghamshire.

As well as providing home visits and an information service in the local hospitals, volunteers arrange regular outings and entertainment for blind and partially sighted people who would not otherwise have much, if any, opportunity to get out and about.

The Charity's services are available free of charge to anyone who needs them in the Buckinghamshire County Council area and some in the Milton Keynes area.

BucksVision's dedicated team of staff and volunteers is key to the success of it's service provision. Staff work from the Resource Centre in Aylesbury and provide invaluable support to 3500 members. BucksVision also has over 600 volunteers.

The Charity receives little financial support from Government and relies heavily on donations and fund raising from it's supporters.

THE CHALLENGE

This amazing trek winds through remote areas of the Scottish Highlands. The spectacular landscape of glens and hill lochs provide a dramatic backdrop to this wilderness challenge. A strong emphasis on the preservation of the environment through camping and trekking means we take part in a really responsible challenge.

Our challenge begins at Bonar Bridge on the East Coast of Scotland. Called just Bonar until the completion of the first bridge across the Kyle of Sutherland in November 1812. We then trek into the Alladale Wilderness Reserve, located one hour North of Inverness in the heart of the Scottish Highlands. The breathtaking landscape provides ample opportunity to recharge our spirits and souls during this adventure.

Day 2 sees our challenge head to the remote Glenbeg Bothy 25kms from the nearest road ! This really becomes a wilderness challenge now. Bothies are found in remote, mountainous areas of Scotland and are particularly common in the Scottish Highlands. We will camp here overnight next to the bothy and stream.

From Glenbeg Bothy our final day trekking will take us to Loch Broom, a sea loch where the small town of Ullapool lies on the eastern shore. Here we will complete our challenge before heading off for a celebratory evening !

Thank you very much for your support. It is very much appreciated.

P.S. You can join us if you wish and trek for your own designated Charity. Please contact me if you would like more details.

In the video below, I am the one at the back with the great pair of legs, completing 100kms, non-stop, in less than 24 hours in 2008 !