Fundraisers

Dragon Boat Race, Willen Lake, July 2009

In July 2009, Julia Harris and Yvonne Eskenzi, both Aims2Cure committee members took part in the Milton Keynes Dragon Boat Festival held on Willen Lake, Milton Keynes. Here is Julia’s account of the day:

Fifty seven teams took part with over nine hundred competitors. The organisers expected well over ten thousand visitors on the day and the weather was gorgeous.

The Aims2Cure team were the only team with children, at least 5 or 6 in each race. Yvonne's sister, cousin, best friend and their families turned up to participate and brought with picnics and chairs in tow.

When we heard that most teams had been training and had taken part in the previous years we realised we were going to have such fun. We did the Mexican wave half way through our first race and finished a gallant 5th (out of 5). We laughed and rowed all the way.

In the next race we were 12 seconds quicker. We were very chuffed. Our final race
involved us not trying to get too wet and not getting told off by the steward who insisted we calm down or the boat will capsize!

Our first race was about 11am and our last race about 3.30pm and we realised that we were probably the slowest team or thereabouts on the day.

Finally - the moment we never thought would happen. Yvonne and myself with
our families waited until the awards were given out. Apart from the Winning
Crew, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th placed, Best Dressed crew, Top Mixed crew and
the crew raising the most money for World Vision .....wait for it ...... A special award, in memory of Pat McManus and presented by his wife, to the Most Enthusiastic Crew ...................... AIMS2CURE - yippee yippee yippee!!!

We were presented with a bouquet of flowers and a 'dragon boat' trophy and we raised £2500. What an amazing day!

Sponsored Silence

In 2009, Candi Altman (the 16 year old daughter of one of our committee members) raised £420 doing a 5 hour sponsored silence at her school.

The Ameris Ben Nevis Climb July 2008

In July 2008, Jason Conway and his team at Ameris Limited undertook the massive challenge of climbing Ben Nevis in Scotland in treacherous conditions.

They wanted to raise money for Michael Sank. Michael is an MS sufferer who is paralysed from the shoulders down. He can’t use his hands and therefore using a mouse is beyond his capabilities. The Ameris boys wanted to purchase a piece of specialised kit which is added to Michael’s PC. This kit follows the movement of his eyes and thus allows him to control a mouse in this way. There are only 5 pieces of this type of equipment in the UK and it has ensured that the vital lifeline of communication continues for Michael in the face of adversity.

The Ameris team travelled to Scotland in July and at 7.15am on a Saturday morning began the 4500ft climb of Ben Nevis. Facing dreadful and dangerous conditions including sheet rain, gale force winds, freezing temperatures they eventually reached the top. Due to thick cloud, visibility was poor meaning a short stay at the summit for fear of literally falling off the side. They made it down in 2 ½ hours only to be greeted by a wonderful oasis – the pub at the bottom!

After all the incredible hard work, determination and motivation, Jason and the team from Ameris raised an amazing £13,000. Jason then sourced the equipment for Michael and arranged shipping and installation. Michael is once again able to use his PC and we know he is, as we all are, so grateful and overwhelmed by Jason Conway and his team.

Click a photo to enlarge:

The adidas Women’s 5k Challenge

At the start of September 2008, Ilana Epstein and Linda Epstein ran the adidas Women’s 5k Challenge in Hyde Park and together raised over an amazing £3900 for Aims2Cure. The 2008 adidas Women’s 5K Challenge is a fun run for women of all ages taking place in Hyde Park, London; the City Centre, Birmingham; and Sefton Park, Liverpool. Every year thousands of women running in the adidas Women’s 5k Challenge raise huge sums for a vast number of charities, both national and local.

We hope that these individuals who go the extra mile for the benefit of others, will give inspiration to many to do the same. With this said, Aims2Cure extend our thanks and congratulations to them on their fantastic achievements.