Topic: Raising money for Abaana on the TGO Challenge (Read 9718 times)

suspectmonkey · « **on:** May 03, 2011 »

Hi folks,

Well it's now less than 10 days until I set sail for Scotland and begin my 200 mile coast-to-coast trek as part of the 2011 TGO Challenge. As part of the event I am trying to raise as much money as I can for Abaana, an African children's charity. Abaana is based locally in Bangor and my brother spent some time volunteering for them, so I know the money is put to really good use and truly changes lives.

I have setup a JustGiving page and would really appreciate it if you would take the time to visit the page and donate. I also have a sponsorship form if you would prefer to see me in person. I know it can be hard to raise money these days, but whilst we all think we are struggling in a recession we need to remember that we are all extremely privileged and that the majority of the world live in complete poverty in comparison. I have fully funded this trip myself, so every penny raised will go to Abaana.

www.justgiving.com/jonpatterson

Many thanks, Jon

suspectmonkey · « **Reply #1 on:** May 11, 2011 »

Hi guys! Sorry I've barely had a chance to check in over the last week or two, been absolutely up to my eyes. Today was a complete last minute rush to pack for the TGO Challenge and finalise all the details, but I think I've just about finished now. Time to get some much needed shut eye before the long journey to Mallaig tomorrow.

I've added a "Follow Me" section to the blog, which is a map that should get updated periodically with my location. It's all a bit of an experiment, so may not even work, but it's worth a try! It's also highly dependent on phone signal etc. so don't be too surprised if it either a) doesnt work or b) doesnt get updated very often!

Will try and check in one way or another at some stage, hopefully Kat will be able to update you on my progress. Looking forward to catching up with you all in a couple of weeks time

Spud · « **Reply #2 on:** May 12, 2011 »

good luck jon, enjoy!

MG1 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 12, 2011 »

Good luck mate.

Hope you get good weather

MG1 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 17, 2011 »

Any updates on Suspect i don't think the follow him link on his website is working?

suspectmonkey · « **Reply #5 on:** May 17, 2011 »

Thought better pop in for a quick update! Basically it all went a bit "Pete Tong" to say the least. Had a great first day walking through Knoydart to Sourlies bothy. A lot of people spend the first night here, but I pressed on with a couple of other Challengers heading for Glendessarry. The weather turned as we set off and was absolutely miserable, but by 9.30pm we were approaching the bothy. Literally about 10 metres from the front door of the bothy was an old rusty piece of wire deer fence running through the long grass, which of course I tripped on and ended up going head first into a boggy ditch. When I finally got back to my feet I knew I had bust up my left arm and couldn't do anything with it at all. Unfortunately, being in the middle of nowhere, I just had to try and get some rest in the bothy before walking out the following day to get it checked over. Long story short I set off the following day for Glenfinnan, which took about 7 hours, before hitching a lift back to A&E in Fort William. They diagnosed me with torn ligaments in my left forearm and said it needed rest for the next few days. Knew I couldn't go any further on the Challenge as I couldn't tie my shoe laces, couldn't get the rucksack on and off my back, couldn't pitch tent etc. Would have just been too dangerous to carry on solo, so had to withdraw

I'm back home now, absolutely gutted and more than a little embarrassed about the whole thing. I've to return to the Fracture Clinic in the Ulster hospital this week as I've since had a specialist look at the xray and they feel there is a break in the arm as well as the ligament damage. More xrays required, but either way I'm going to be out of action for a few weeks

MG1 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 17, 2011 »

Thats shit mate. There's always next time.

simon · « **Reply #7 on:** May 17, 2011 »

I'm really gutted for you. I know how disappointing it is to be looking forward to a big walk and then having to pull out ... although I've never done it with such style

Seems to be quite a few people have had arguments with fences and walls this year (Sloman's hand and Rye's head to name but two!). Hope your arm recovers quickly and you put the whole thing behind you and get back in the saddle.

LennyJ1 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 17, 2011 »

Thats really bad. There is always next year. Have a speedy recovery

RedLeader · « **Reply #9 on:** May 17, 2011 »

Sorry to hear it went so dramatically south! Nothing you can do though, carrying on with an injury like that would have been really dangerous and there's always next year!!

whoRya · « **Reply #10 on:** May 17, 2011 »

That's terrible news. Your experience in the outdoors seems to have helped you be rational about getting yourself to safety. I can't imagine who gutted you are after all the preparation.

LandyLiam · « **Reply #11 on:** May 17, 2011 »

Sorry to hear it went so bad, but at least you now have a great campfire story, reminds me of when I broke my collarbone on the first day of a donegal holiday and had a 2hr drive to hospital on those potholed roads!

suspectmonkey · « **Reply #12 on:** May 17, 2011 »

Cheers guys! On a plus side my route planning for next year will be a lot easier

I do have some photos etc. from Day 1, so will try and get a trip report put together for the two days that I was walking at least!

LennyJ1 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 17, 2011 »

You did tell TGO you had left Scotland and there not looking for you right now

twentyclicks · « **Reply #14 on:** May 17, 2011 »

No way man - PITA!

Gutted for you after all the prep and time taken off

As you say, good excuse to try again and all the prep wont go to waste.
Here's to a speedy recovery for the TMB.

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Author Topic: Raising money for Abaana on the TGO Challenge (Read 9718 times)

suspectmonkey

Raising money for Abaana on the TGO Challenge

suspectmonkey

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Spud

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MG1

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MG1

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suspectmonkey

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MG1

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simon

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RedLeader

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whoRya

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suspectmonkey

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