Seven weeks to go and the excitement continues to build, especially as we get in contact with more of our fellow travellers, the latest of whom is David Hobson, whose comment is attached. Marc & Sue Napoli already have their own website which people should visit as well www.marcnapoli.com.au/charitychallenge/ (see also URL in Links below).
Today was very much one of a catching up, getting organised, and resting day after the last three days. I was thinking about going for a short ride this afternoon to keep the muscles loose, but with all the action on the blog, I ran out of time (see the comments and photos from Lee and Jamie). More donations came in today - more than halfway there now!
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4 comments:
Hi everyone,
Great photo Don. I was actually roped into this trip by Don which I am now very glad about. I also managed to pull along a few extras, Craig (better known as Wal) and John who is a good friend from Melbourne. Don enjoys alcohol more than most.
Really looking forward to the trip having travelled Vietnam about 7 years ago it will be a new experience on a bike. I have recently found out that a school colleague owns a brewery at Nha Trang which is a nice coastal town that we stay the night in.
Very quick run down on myself. I am married with 3 kids. Girl 5, boy 2 ½ and girl 9 months so keep busy enough. Grew up in northern NSW on a farm north of Moree and then went to secondary school and uni in Sydney. Worked in Sydney for about 8 years before moving to Albury to work. I enjoy bike riding though am starting to gather that probably Wal and myself need to get cycling.
I think it is a great thing what we are all doing by helping someone who is less fortunate than ourselves. Having travelled a great deal of Asia with my wife we have had our eyes opened to people who conditions to live in that many would not comprehend. The beautiful thing about much of Asia they are happy just to have their families and some sort of shelter. My wife has suggested that I (and I will try and get my friends on board) should carry an extra bag of unwanted childrens’ clothes, blankets etc to give to some people in Vietnam. She has come across an orphanage in Ho Chi mong City and sent an email over the weekend to some people involved in the orphanage. We visited an orphanage in Ho Chi and were saddened by the fact that many have no family but also happy that a place exists where these children could go. I can guarantee that there are very few people that would not be touched by seeing the look on the childrens faces when they were given clothing, toys etc. So I will definitely be doing this and will hopefully pull, Wal, Don and john in and anyone else who thinks it is a good idea is welcome to contact me. We can give anyone details of the orphanage also. Don, Wal, John and myself are flying over one day early to spend a little more time in Ho Chi Ming and it is a great city.
So there you have it from me. I can use a computer but not up to speed of some of the terminology in previous emails, but I can attach a photo so will do so.
Also I think it would be a great idea to have dinner where don is on the 23rd and maybe he can bring the bagpipes to this.
Regards David
Hi Everyone,
I think Don should bring the pipes (at least to the meal) They would go down a storm in the villages of Vietnam!
Great idea to have your sister come and speak (Don)
Regarding David's wonderful idea of taking clothes/toys to an orphanage, our schedule will not allow us time in HCMC to visit the orphanage, therefore if people are happy to have David, Craig, John and Don present the donations then great.
Alternatively, I can try and arrange for you all to visit a different orphanage and
include it in our itinerary.
I have also requested that we visit the school next to the My Lai massacre memorial
so there is also an opportunity to "give back" there..see photo from last trip (I am the one with the busted knee at the front).
Plenty to ponder on there, if anyone has a preference or specific request I'll need to move on it pretty quick so speak up.
Good luck with the training and all power to your fundraising.
Cheers,
Jamie
Hi David here is a pic for your blog!
Katie "The Boss" has been visiting me this weekend and took the pic this morning - the little bike - well that was a 'tongue in cheek' chrissy pres from one of my teenage sons... the real bike is in the shed!
Hope they give me a better bike in Vietnam :-)
Lee
Hi Everyone!
We are the two late registrations and looking forward to joining you all on this great experience. Nice to meet you all. It’s been a full time obsession fundraising, training and learning Vietnamese language.
Over the weekend we’ve managed to pull together the details for our raffle. We are experimenting with an online raffle. Check it out:
www.marcnapoli.com.au/charitychallenge/index_files/page0005.htm
We need help selling the tickets so if you know people who would be interested in a chance to win these prizes (first prize is worth around $800!)
This Saturday I’ve managed to secure a venue for a girl’s luncheon – Waverton Bowls is going to loan us their beautiful venue. I’m just working out some entertainment for the girls and we should have a fundraiser event secured (I’m thinking lingerie sales with a fashion show, if that fails we’ll auction off some good looking men =). Marc’s doing a couple of poker nights to raise funds. Its hard work this fundraising business, but so rewarding. Our personal goal is to raise more than $10,000 because Vodafone will match everything above that (on top of what they’ve already donated!)
Marc and I have been very lucky as the companies we work for have both supported us giving us the motivation to tackle this challenge in 8 weeks….without that vote of confidence I’m sure we would have waited until next year.
As for training, this Friday we tackled a ride to Balmoral. Its hilly and I am determined to be able to climb out of the bay by March 18.
We’ll confirm our availability for dinner on the 23rd Feb. I’ve currently got a work dinner scheduled and will see if that can be moved.
We are looking forward to meeting you all.
Regards
Sue Napoli (nee Tran)
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