Children in the Wilderness

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Personal message

Many of you will remember that in 2007, I embarked with my eldest son, Teddy, on a cycle ride in Mozambique & South Africa for charity. We raised in the region of R200,000 for Children in the Wilderness and have over the past few years seen the wonderful work done by the charity in helping so many children get a positive focus to their lives. Children in the Wilderness is a charity set up by Wilderness safaris, a well known safari operator and client.

Well its now 2011, I haven't ridden a bike since! But I have been persuaded again to ride for the same charity, this time with my youngest son Patch. We will be riding 300km in 4 days through Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa. The last ride was dubbed by friends as "meals on wheels" - I am assured, we will see more game this time, so I will ensure Patch wears a suitable shirt to ride in - possibly a Zebra print!

"yes" that is me in the picture above, so it is with trepidation that Patch and I are embarking on the tour!

We will be riding for "Children in the Wilderness" again. The charity hosts rural children whom live alongside the Parks and Reserves in Africa and teaches them the importance of conservation. Children in the Wilderness exposes children to their wildlife heritage, builds and strengthens their capabilities to cope with life's challenges and educates them with the life skills necessary to reach their greatest potential.

Both Patch and I understand this is not a good time to be asking for money, but if we could ask you to support us in our fundraising initiatives, it would be greatly appreciated.

Please Note: The funding amounts pledged below are based in South African Rand. For ease of reference @ 15/3/2011 various exchange rates are shown below

US$/C$1 = Rand 7: £1 = Rand 11: A$1 = Rand 6.9

Children in the Wilderness is a South African registered charity

Donations

Name Comment Date Amount
anon Well done Andrew - a great cause and a great challenge Sep 19, 2011 R 200.00
Russ Alexander Bit late but well intended. Not entirely unlike your arrival at camp from what I can see. Aug 23, 2011 R 1 000.00
Neil Sheppard Great effort! Aug 22, 2011 R 200.00
B. Kinney Congrats on the EPIC ride. Inspiring! Aug 18, 2011 R 500.00
Lotte & Colin Congratulations-efforts like this help to improve the world. Aug 17, 2011 R 500.00
M Tibbitts Excellent work Aug 17, 2011 R 200.00
Michael Humber Well done!! Aug 16, 2011 R 300.00
Louise O'Shiel Congratulations to you both - amazing! Aug 16, 2011 R 220.00
MARK EDWARDS Well done great effort Aug 16, 2011 R 1 000.00
Neil Smith Good luck Andrew. Enjoy the sand. Oh, and the thorns. And elephants. And lions. And blisters. And 42 degree heat. Apart from all that it'll be easy ! Aug 04, 2011 R 200.00
Mike Jones All the best Andrew Aug 02, 2011 R 200.00
Louise Mallory Go get em Tiger! Hope it's not as bad as you think it's going to be:) Aug 02, 2011 R 200.00
Richard B Pedal to the metal! Aug 02, 2011 R 200.00
Toby Pollard Best wishes to you and your son Andrew. Enjoy it! Toby Aug 01, 2011 R 274.00
Catherine Smith Good on you both! Aug 01, 2011 R 220.00
cw Godson go for it - great experience Aug 01, 2011 R 750.00
Nats Cecil keep using the elephant repellent good luck xx Jul 30, 2011 R 1 000.00
Mossy Good luck! Jul 29, 2011 R 200.00
Sarah & Ryan Watch out for lions, rhinos and Brennans! Jul 29, 2011 R 550.00
Karen Ludwinski Good luck to both of you,I hope you don't get too saddle sore! Jul 28, 2011 R 250.00
Peter Watson Wishing you all a safe cycle Jul 27, 2011 R 200.00
Mick Morgan Have fun and make sure you you are not dinner Jul 27, 2011 R 500.00
the benders good luck Andrew.plenty of vas. Jul 26, 2011 R 1 000.00
Guy Bonwick No bridge swing or bungee jump this time then....just cycling through somewhere you could get eaten......again! Good Luck! Jul 26, 2011 R 200.00
Alexandra Blyth Good luck Andrew!! I hope taking the stairs has been good training...! Can't wait for the pictures :-) Jul 25, 2011 R 150.00
Annalisa Ludwinski Best of Luck Don't forget the puncture kit! Jul 22, 2011 R 250.00
Jennifer Milne Good luck Andrew & P! Sounds like an amazing trip - can't wait for the stories when you get back! Enjoy! xx Jul 17, 2011 R 250.00
Matt Marshall All the best - It must be easy as you are going for it again!!!!!! Jul 15, 2011 R 150.00
Danny Snowden Good luck! Andrew, I'd be more concerned about Wayne with Dave's Chilli sauce and the butt butter than being chased by wild animals! Hope all goes well, look forward to the stories on your return. Jul 15, 2011 R 500.00
Dom Miller best of luck Jul 14, 2011 R 250.00
Deb Wadsworth Good luck, Andrew & P, hope you don't get too saddle sore and watch out for those hyenas - they'll eat anything! lol Deb Jul 12, 2011 R 250.00
Graham Ilott Good Luck Jul 11, 2011 R 250.00
Peter Montanaro very best of luck Jul 04, 2011 R 250.00
Emma Lisi Good Luck Andrew! Jul 04, 2011 R 250.00
Mormor Lotte and Colin We will be thinking of you while you battle your way through the wilderness! Jul 02, 2011 R 500.00
David Lawrence Andrew, Good Luck Jun 28, 2011 R 500.00
David Burchett Good Luck, try and enjoy and don't become a picnic! Jun 28, 2011 R 250.00
Mark Fulcher Andrew, best of luck with the ride, very worthwhile cause Jun 23, 2011 R 200.00
Hurtwood House Good luck from all at Hurtwood. Perhaps you could rub Reggae Reggae sauce on dad's bike, then at least he will get eaten first! Jun 20, 2011 R 1 000.00
Gary Dawson Axis Underwriting Andrew, you are are brave man, 2 attempts at being lunch, have a great(!) time. Gary Dawson Jun 20, 2011 R 2 000.00
Trevor Clegg Andrew, look forward to the pictoral evidence! Jun 19, 2011 R 500.00
Craig Patterson Andrew & Patch don't end as lunch! All the very best for a great cause. Jun 18, 2011 R 1 000.00
Keith Stead Take it all in and ENJOY!!!! Jun 17, 2011 R 2 500.00
James Allen Good Luck to you both! Jun 16, 2011 R 1 000.00
Pagey Well done mate - hope you both enjoy Jun 16, 2011 R 1 000.00
Fitz Enjoy the ride Jun 16, 2011 R 500.00
Mark Lonneman Best of Luck Jun 15, 2011 R 200.00
Darren Hurrell Make sure you grease your nuts. Jun 14, 2011 R 500.00
David Haslam All the very best....you must be mad!! Jun 14, 2011 R 250.00
James Wylie Andrew good luck with the ride and keep safe! Jun 13, 2011 R 1 000.00
Ian West Good Luck, Andrew! Jun 12, 2011 R 500.00
Debbie Syme Good Luck Andrew! Enjoyx Jun 08, 2011 R 150.00
James Carroll Good luck Andrew, better get that padded saddle. Jun 07, 2011 R 150.00
Michael James It's the saddle I feel sorry for. Good luck! May 31, 2011 R 1 000.00
Simon Lotter Have fun! May 27, 2011 R 1 000.00
Stephen Barr Good luck - by the sounds of it you're going to need it! May 25, 2011 R 200.00
Andrew Park Well done Curly - all in a good cause. May 09, 2011 R 1 000.00
John Barclay - Simmlands Ride on! Apr 29, 2011 R 2 500.00
Bernard Chagnon - Univesta Best of luck to you both! Apr 22, 2011 R 3 500.00
Mike & Caroline Thoms Well done! Apr 14, 2011 R 1 100.00
Abelard Unberwriting Agency Don't let the lions get you Apr 13, 2011 R 5 000.00
Henry John Andrew - good luck - don't feed the crocs Apr 11, 2011 R 1 000.00
Amit Khilosia A very worthy cause, all the very best wishes and good luck! Apr 11, 2011 R 1 000.00
David Wadsworth Best of luck - dont come back too saddle sore Apr 10, 2011 R 2 500.00
Troy Moreira, Premier Marine Good Luck, Andrew. Be safe. Apr 08, 2011 R 10 000.00
Dave Jack, BnB Sure All the best of luck from BnB Sure Apr 07, 2011 R 2 000.00
Mike Pierce Best of luck for this great cause! Apr 06, 2011 R 1 000.00
Paul Steffens, Van Compare Good luck Andrew from all of us at Van Compare Apr 05, 2011 R 1 000.00
Allison Murray Good grief - isn't this taking the concept of "getting away from it all" a bit too far? Best of luck and happy trails! Apr 05, 2011 R 2 000.00
Doug Strong , SeaFirst Insurance Brokers Ltd. Good Luck Andrew and Patrick ! A great cause ! Apr 05, 2011 R 7 000.00
Robin Durrant Pedal hard for a great cause. Apr 02, 2011 R 3 500.00
Bob Maly Good luck with the event. Sonds like a gret cause. Apr 01, 2011 R 2 000.00
Geoff and Lesley Freeman Well done Curly. Its just that Lesley wants to see you in Licra again !!!! Apr 01, 2011 R 5 000.00
Wayne Hildebrand No doubt that you are totally mad. Hopefully Patch pulls you through yet another mid life crisis!! Apr 01, 2011 R 5 000.00
Kevin McIntyre & Guardian Risk Mgrs Good Luck Andrew & Patch! Really glad I am not joining you!!! Mar 31, 2011 R 5 000.00
BRADLEY'S INSURANCE Best of Luck from your friends at Bradley's Insurance Mar 31, 2011 R 2 000.00
Susannah Francis Charitable Fund From your friends in LA we wish shallow sands, wind in your back and comfortable saddles. It is an inspirational challenge you embark on for a wonderful cause. Mar 31, 2011 R 20 000.00
Dave Witzgall Good luck! Better start training soon! Mar 31, 2011 R 2 000.00
ASR Underwriting Agencies Good Luck from all at ASR Mar 31, 2011 R 2 000.00
Marketform Good Luck from all your friends and colleagues. Mar 31, 2011 R 5 000.00
Holly & Simon Presumably it's like childbirth....you've forgtoten the fear and pain, and now happy to do it again! Good luck and much love to you both! xxx Mar 31, 2011 R 2 500.00