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Oxfam GB is a leading international NGO with a worldwide reputation for excellence in the delivery of aid and development work. Our purpose is to work with others to overcome poverty and suffering. Oxfam GB is a member of Oxfam International.
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Trailtrekker2010
Update
Well, despite my worst fears and moments of self-doubt, I managed to complete this year’s Oxfam Trailtrekker!
Martin Farran and I finished the 101.5km/63m route around the Yorkshire Dales in 23hrs and 23mins and amazingly ran across the line in 17th place out of the 136 teams competing (individually, I finished 61st out of 537 starters).
Unfortunately, two of our team colleagues were forced to drop out. Dougie Dunsmore-Dawson suffered heat exhaustion on the stretch up Cam Fell out of Horton in Ribblesdale and retired at the half way mark. Later on, David Townsend retired at Kettlewell, after struggling with very painful blisters under his forefeet.
The event was incredibly tough. Physically and mentally demanding. The heat on Saturday during the hardest climbs was intense, only making matters worse. But the organisation by Oxfam was first class, very impressive and the camaraderie and sense of fun was overwhelming. All the marshals and volunteers tried really hard to provide encouragement and support. I laughed on entering the checkpoint at Buckden, to a round of rousing applause and encouragement and to be told, “We have hot food, medics and if you want a massage, we have pretty Ladeees!” All good fun.
Trekking through the night was interesting. The last major section, up out of Conistone in the cold and dark, was the hardest leg for me. I could hardly stand up after the 15 minute refreshment break and my feet by then were well and truly shot. Yet more dressings, fresh socks and dosed up on painkillers, the next 11.7km seemed to go on and on and the ‘fun’ and conversation dried up for a while. We did manage a laugh when we realised what I had thought was a route marker on the skyline was probably Emley Moor mast, 30 mile or so away!
Hope returned when we finally got to the stop at Hetton and had a cuppa and realised, for definite, we were going to finish come what may. And finish we did, in fine style. After the final 11km and climb over Flasby Fell we marched into Aireville Park at Skipton and ran through the finish section and over the line at 06:21 on Sunday morning.
Thanks for all your support and encouragement.
We've some online pictures here.
The full results and more about the event can be found here.
Original Post
Rather foolishly, I will be attempting Oxfam's Trailtrekker challenge in the Yorkshire Dales with colleagues from Barnsley Council.
Oxfam hope the event will raise £600,000 for projects helping some of the world's poorest people.
The 100 km (63 mile) non-stop walk begins and ends in Skipton, taking in the heights of Malham Edge and 2,100 ft Pen-y-Ghent as well as the rolling hills of Langstrothdale and Wharfedale. We have up to 30 hours to complete the course but are quietly hoping to finish inside of 24.
Through Virgin Money Giving, you can sponsor me and donations will be quickly processed and passed to Oxfam.
Virgin Money Giving is a not for profit organisation and will claim gift aid on the charity's behalf where the donor is eligible for this.
I would be very grateful for your support and for all donations, large or small.
Many thanks.
Ken.
Photographs of some our training walks;
Three Peaks Horbury Hike North Yorkshire Moors
Recent donors
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Martin C £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 04.06.10 Mad fools |
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Tracey Johnson £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 29.05.10 Good luck! You had better be recovered in time for www.localgovcamp-yh.co.uk ... I'm not wheeling you around the NRM. |
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Emma Labedzki £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 27.05.10 62 miles inside 30 hours? Wow, that's no mean feat - mean on the feet yes, but then that's a different matter! Have every faith in you pulling this off and send best wishes for the 5th June - good luck! |
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Tony Downham £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 28.04.10 Make sure you wear a hat! Bon chance! |
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Graham Hebblethwaite £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 27.04.10 Wouldn't the London Marathon have been easier? |
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mark phillips £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 26.04.10 |
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Richard Guthrie £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 26.04.10 Good luck! Mad but worthwhile! |
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Liz Taylor £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 26.04.10 |
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John Bullivent £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 24.04.10 And don't forget to ask Gary Simpson !! |
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Richard New £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 23.04.10 All the best to you. |
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Rachel Shaw £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 21.04.10 Hope the foot gets sorted. Remember dip your feet in a stream, it really helps |
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Andrew Ainsworth £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 06.04.10 Ken, excellent idea and great cause to support - not an experience you will forget this one - best of luck! |
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Carl and Jacob £31.00 (+ £8.74 giftaid) 28.03.10 25p a mile from each of us boys. When you finish it, our parents will match it (we made them promise). Above all, enjoy it :-) |
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Dad £25.00 (+ £7.05 giftaid) 26.03.10 Best foot forward Ken. |
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Mum £25.00 (+ £7.05 giftaid) 26.03.10 Good luck Ken. |
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Melanie Reed £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 18.02.10 Hope your legs don't fall off! |
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PSF Nick £50.00 (+ £14.10 giftaid) 16.02.10 Good on you Ken. Let's see you consume those kilometres like you can consume the Vino Tinto. We'll race you !!!! |
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@ianibbo £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 08.02.10 Best of luck! |
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Anonymous £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 01.02.10 Impressed by your determination and willpower - good luck! |
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Kathy Clark £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 31.01.10 Good luck!! Makes my 5km seem a bit paltry lol! |
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Tim Hobbs £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 31.01.10 Good luck Ken! |
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Sarah Lay £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 31.01.10 Good luck! |
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Kevin Campbell-Wright £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 31.01.10 |
