Gobi 2024

Although I’m just back from volunteering with RTP in Namibia there isn’t any real time to rest or relax. Part of me still lives on in Namibia with the ongoing building project in the DRC for the Education Centre/Soup kitchen. So much has been achieved in the past 2/3 weeks yet so much is still to do. I want to thank everyone who has been part of this journey as we support Clifton, his family and the team of Helping Hands.

In 4 weeks time I return to Mongolia for the RacingThePlanet Gobi March - 5 years on from where "my journey” began as volunteer. Having just retired and trying to navigate the way forward I “stumbled across”, (the best way to describe it), the world of Multi Stage races - a world within a world, a community within a community and a world full of inspirational competitors and athletes! I certainly don’t put myself anywhere within the terms of competitor or athlete but rather someone who just caught the breeze of being in the outdoors, in remote and beautiful places and with people of like mind. This journey has taken me to the Atacama Desert in Chile, Mongolia’s Gobi desert, The Khymer Path in Cambodia, on three Camino’s and the Namib Desert. In Swakopmund I met the Helping Hands team and caught the vision - those of you who have followed me on FB will know how my heart connected with the children of the DRC and the voluntary work there.

In 2021 I was also made aware of Ruach Elohim, the baby in the box, a charity also supported solely by voluntary contributions to rescue and look after unwanted babies following Namibia’s decriminalisation of “baby dumping” in 2019. This year I had the privilege of meeting Ronél, the team and many of the children.

This time I go to Gobi, not as a volunteer, but to “walk” the 250 kms across the grasslands and desert, through the battlefields of Ghenghis Khan, the Orkhon Valley before finishing in the ancient city of Karakorum - a course with just under 4.500 metres of elevation.

I have 2 causes for any donations or sponsorship raised. Two weeks ago, and 2 years on from the initial planning stage, I committed to the build in DRC Swakopmund which has been going well after such a short time. Initially I am seeking to raise circa £2,250 (50% of the total build) to complete the funding for this project. Anything over this will go to Ruach Elohim to support Ronél, her husband Dick and the team as they care for the children, unwanted or abandoned, until they can find permanent homes. I urge you to check the FB pages for both these organisations and the incredible work they do.

I have set the bar high and I know this is a big target - I thank you all for taking the time to read this and for your continued support.

Some of you will have reasons to provide support for specific “causes”. If you wish your donation to go to one or other specifically just message me and I will ensure it goes where you wish.

You will be able to follow my quest, or journey, from the 23 June 2024 on the Racing the Planet / Gobi March website or with regular updates on their FB page.