Dear Friends, thank you for taking the time to visit the 'Salty Old Seadogs' JustGiving page. (Latest Update - 20 Jul 2010 below)

POST CHALLENGE NEWS-

Dear Family and Friends,

On Sunday after 23 hours and 42 minutes the Salty Old Seadogs crossed the finish line to complete the 24 Peaks challenge with 18 minutes to spare.  For nearly 22 hours of the challenge the team had hiked in atrocious weather conditions-torrential rain and during the second half of the challenge had to battle with winds gusting to gale force on some of the peaks.  Did we see any of the peaks we climbed?  Well about 20 feet in front of us for most of the time.  

A whole lot of grit, determination and teamwork was rewarded with the team finishing in 7th place overall out of 22 teams and we were one of only two teams to complete the event with all team members making it to the finish line. 

In true forces style, Si worried the event organisers as he crossed the finish line by announcing 'Damn it...left something at the start, so I'am just nipping back to get it' ....turned around and headed back up the mountain path....he didn't go too far!

Our sincere thanks to everyone who has supported us in reaching our target.  Also to Liana, Julie and Robina at Seafarers for your support and guidance and to Graham and the team at Global Challenge for keeping us safe on the hills.  A big thanks to Michelle and our 'rival' team, the 'Wight Link Anchors' and the Fast Cat Crews for your fund raising support, but most of all a very special thanks to our wives, loved ones and families for putting up with our time away from home whilst training and taking part in the challenge-It means a lot to know we had your support.  Thank you.

The 'Salty Old Seadogs' 

Just received some photos for you to see

 

We are an ageing group (combined age 304 years on challenge day) of crazy seafarers, with a total of 167 years service at sea between us, who stumbled across what is a highly important charity providing support to a vast range of people from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Merchant Navy, fishing fleets and their dependants.  Seafarers help families cope with homelessness, poverty, debt, bereavement and serious injury, providing support to all ages from young maritime trainees to veterans of past conflicts.  The call for the support they provide increases year on year and thus they need our assistance to raise funds to support those desperately in need of help.

In July this year, the 'Salty Old Seadogs' will be taking part in the '24 Peaks in 24 Hours' challenge in the .  This demanding mountain event, to climb 24 peaks all over 2,400 ft in height in 24 hours, will be physically demanding, definitely challenging, take the team over steep and difficult terrain and require both determination and commitment to ensure success.  It will push us way beyond our 'comfort zone' and will without question ...hurt.  If you can, please support us and help us to reach our target of £5000 in aid of this most worthwhile cause.

For those who can help, donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - the 'Salty Old Seadogs' will raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now, every penny will help.

Our sincere thanks,

Tony, Steve, Martin, Richard, David, Si and David...the 'Salty Old Seadogs' 

 

Update: Training Weekend 14-16 May 2010

Dear Friends,

We managed to get 4 members of the team together (Tony, Martin, Richard and Steve) for a training weekend in the Brecons over the weekend.  

On saturday we set off in brilliant sunshine and managed a 29km trek over 8 peaks in just over10 hours.  Heading out from Taly-y-Bont the trek took us over the summits of Twyn-Du and Craig y Fan, before ridging along Craig Cwareli to Fan y Big, Cribban, Pen y Fan and Corn Du.  From Corn Du we headed SE along Graig Fan Ddu before dropping down to Neuadd Reservoir (Just short of 19km from the start point).  After a quick break we climbed up to Craig y Fan Ddu before following the mornings route back to Taly y Bont, taking in Craig y Fan and Twyn Du on the way.  All in all a cracking walk that gave us an opportunity to check out equipment and make sure our old sea legs were up to the challenge in July.

Sunday saw the team head to Ystradfellte and a 3 hour trek along the beautiful '4 falls walk' and back again. We even managed a bit of caving on route, well we did get a little way in!  Spectacular views of the cave and waterfalls and a great way to walk off the aches from the previous days trek. 

For those who have supported us so far, thank you, it makes the aches worth it.  If you have logged on and are thinking of supporting us, please do, you will have our sincere appreciation and will be supporting a most worthwhile charity.

Our next training session is 9th of June on the South Downs at which we hope to get the whole team out on the hills.   

Once again, thank you for the support and helping us towards our target.

Yours Aye,

The Salty Old Seadogs    

Update: Fund Raising 05 Jun 2010

Dear Friends,

Five of the Salty Old Seadogs, plus family, friends and Liana and Robina from Seafarers, got together for the open day at HMS Collingwood on Saturday to raise funds in support of Seafarers UK.  Donations received will go towards our target of £5000.  So from all the team, thank you to everyone who visited the stall and gave so generously, your support is much appreciated.

This week will see the team out training again and going by the long range weather forecast, it looks like the gortex will be the order of the day.

Once again, thank you for all the support.

Kind Regards,

The Salty Old Seadogs    

 

Update: Training 09 Jun 2010

Dear Friends and Family,

We managed to get on to the South Downs for another training day and covered just over 15 miles, climbed 1864ft and burnt approx 1624 calories.  All team members have now been out on the hill, although not all at the same time, and have had a chance to check out kit and boots in preparation for the challenge.  Next gathering will be 23 Jun when we are looking to walk the South Downs again.  Once more thank you for all the support you have so kindly donated.

Kind Regards,

Tony, Martin, Steve, Richard, Si, David and David....

The Salty Old Seadogs    

 

Update: Training 23 Jun 2010

Dear Friends and Family,

Another sucessful training day on the South Downs-25km in a little over 5hours 30 mins.  We enjoyed absolutely wonderful weather, so we should be ready for sunny conditions on challenge day. Although the Downs are minor in comparison to the Lakes, they have provided a few 'cheeky' little climbs to get us thinking of the peaks to come.  

Our next gathering, over a pint, will be to help fine tune the final logistical aspects of food, transport and accommodation.  

Once again, a very big thanks to all who have supported us, it is much appreciated.

 Kind Regards,

Tony, Martin, Steve, Richard, Si, David and David....

The Salty Old Seadogs    

 

Update: Fund Raising 24 Jun 2010

A big thanks to Breezers Cafe at Hillhead near Fareham in Hants who kindly donated £20 following a recent Quiz evening. 

Many Thanks,

Tony, Martin, Steve, Richard, Si, David and David....

The Salty Old Seadogs    

 

Update: 11 July 2010

Si and Tony finished off their preparations for the challenge by participating in a bit of team building (walking coast to coast along Hadrian's Wall) with friends from work.  The walk took us from Bowness-on-Solway on the west coast near Carlisle to Wallsend near Newcastle in the east- a total of 84 miles. 

On the way we met some great folk who kindly supported our forthcoming effort to summit 24 peaks in 24 hours in aid of Seafarers UK.  From the whole team, thank you to the ex service personnel (para and sailor) and many others for your support.  In case you were wondering, we made it and seeing the look Si got as he marched through the centre of Newcastle on route to Wallsend was worth every blister! Once more our sincere thanks to each of you- it is much appreciated.

 

Yours Aye,

Tony, Martin, Steve, Richard, Si, David and David....

The Salty Old Seadogs    

 

Update: 14 July 2010

Tony, Richard and Si, spent the morning on a Wight Link ferry raising funds and through the genorous donations received, managed to raise £280.37 towards the teams target.  With just a few days to go we are 97% of the way to reaching £5000.  We would like to thank all the passangers who supported us and also acknowledge, the assistance of Michelle and the Crew and Captain of the ferry for thie kind offer and assistance they afforded us.  We look forward to meeting the rest of the Wight Link team at the start line in the very early hours of Sat morning and wish them our sincere best wishes for the challenge.

 

Kind Regards,

 

The Salty Old Seadogs