Hi Everyone,
Firstly Happy New Year and apologies for the lack of blogs. You're probably reading this thinking shouldn't you be in the Atlantic Ocean now! So here is an update on things to come.
2012 was a good year for me. I was very fortunate to be asked to participate in a speaking tour in India which was a magical experience, visiting all the different schools and meeting some wonderful people. My cycle across America also went well with a crossing time of 22 days from West to East so there have been some good times.
Unfortunately my quest to fund my Global Triathlon project has not faired so well. I'm not sure if it is the financial climate we are in now or it's just not meant to be but I really have tried everything in my power, chasing every single opportunity but sadly I just haven't been able to raise enough funds to start this January.
I'm often asked how do you go about finding sponsorship etc and for me there is no magic answer. The only thing I've noticed over the last few years from trying to raise funds for expeditions is proactivity generally equals results. I could write an entire blog about obtaining funding and what has and hasn't worked for me but perhaps that's for another day.
I have actually come extremely close to obtaining the funding on two occasions but sadly with each case when its time to write the cheque there is always something else or someone else that gets invloved and the process grinds to a halt. I've learnt that this is just the way it is with funding. It's very important to remind yourself that if this was easy everyone would be doing it!
Now there is some good news in that I have raised almost enough funds to complete my cycle around the world which is starting on 30th June from the Royal Observatory at Greenwich Park, London. I will be setting off at 12pm and am very much encouraging people to join me for the first day down to Dover. If I am able to find the funding to continue on with the Atlantic row and Everest after the cycle I will do so. At this moment in time I'm just focusing on my round the world cycle! It is in itself quite a big task! So suffice to say I will be putting a lot of time in on the bike over the coming months. I will also be looking at how I can develop the cycle as an opportunity to meet and connect with more schools along the route and also at engaging young people in the planning and progression of the cycle itself. Watch this space!
I'm pleased to announce I will be speaking about my Everest ascent and row across the Atlantic on the 18th of January at the Outdoor Show at London's Excel arena. www.theoutdoorshow.co.uk I'm speaking on the main Adventure stage at 3.30pm so if you can slip away from work a few hours eartly come and say hello or simply heckle me from the back row, either is fine!
Out for now
Captain Ketch
