Mike Cow
Mike's 500 Miles for Gaza
Fundraising for Medical Aid for Palestinians
Story
Like many people i have been deeply touched and troubled by the images of dead and injured people in Palestine, Iwish to direct my thoughts towards action, and commit to a small contribution towards alleviating the suffering there through fundraising.
I know many people feel powerless to help and don't know what to do, myself included, my hope is that people will not only contribute financially to Medical Aid for Palestinians through this trek, but also be inspired to action themselves to fundraise in whatever way they can to help the people in Gaza.
I'd like to make clear that this is not political in any way, my motivation for this is purely humanitarian. My wish is that people in Israel and Palestine can find peace through reconciliation over the coming days, months and years.
About the trek:
I will be walking on an old pilgrimage trail, 'The Camino de Santiago', or 'Way of St James' starting in St Jean Pied a Port and finishing in Fisterra on the West Coast of Spain. During this time i will cross the Pyrennees mountain range as well as the Cantabrian mountains covering over 500 miles to my destination and travelling as light as possible. The trek may take up to a month or more depending on my body and how it reacts.
On a personal level, it's a considerable challenge for me, over the last couple of years i've had a few physical health problems which at times has left me barely able to walk. For me this is about taking control of my body again after a challenging time both mentally and physically. As it stands, i'm unsure what my bodywill do and how it will react, all i will say is i will put my heart and soul into it.
The options are:
Finish the 500 miles.
Push my body for as long and as hard as I can until a doctor tells me to stop.
There are no other options.
I've chosen to do this fundraising under the pseudonym 'Mike Cow', i do not want this to be 'about me', however, i feel the need to state clearly my personal reasons for doing this as i'm simply unsure whether my body will hold up and i'm bricking it a little bit if i'm honest! I'm a firm beleiver in giving things a go though, so thers only one way to find out ;)
Also, i'm happy to do media interviews should they present themselves, however, i'd appreciate it if my anonymity is preserved and my 'real name' is kept out of it. Any help with that is greatly appreciated.
If anybody knows of any business's who are willing to contribute kit and'or sponsorship i'm happy to wear their logos on my kit and pose for photographs for media (In a Cow mask of course) as long as said business's square with my personal ethics naturally.
I'd appreciate any help you good people can give, not only in contributing to the fund, but also in making people aware of the Justgiving page in an effort to reach the target. I'm going to be in some very rural places, without reliable internet, sometimes for days; your support will be so very important and appreciated.
I'd also like to acknowledge the help and support of my friend Sean, a former Commando, who will be joining me for the first week or so, to help pace me and ensure i don't knack myself and aal that.
Peace in the Middle East ;)
One love.
x
More info on the Camino de Santiago can be found here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Way_of_St._James
Paulo Coelho's http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pilgrimage
and Emilio Estevez's film 'The Way', http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Way_%28film%29
I know many people feel powerless to help and don't know what to do, myself included, my hope is that people will not only contribute financially to Medical Aid for Palestinians through this trek, but also be inspired to action themselves to fundraise in whatever way they can to help the people in Gaza.
I'd like to make clear that this is not political in any way, my motivation for this is purely humanitarian. My wish is that people in Israel and Palestine can find peace through reconciliation over the coming days, months and years.
About the trek:
I will be walking on an old pilgrimage trail, 'The Camino de Santiago', or 'Way of St James' starting in St Jean Pied a Port and finishing in Fisterra on the West Coast of Spain. During this time i will cross the Pyrennees mountain range as well as the Cantabrian mountains covering over 500 miles to my destination and travelling as light as possible. The trek may take up to a month or more depending on my body and how it reacts.
On a personal level, it's a considerable challenge for me, over the last couple of years i've had a few physical health problems which at times has left me barely able to walk. For me this is about taking control of my body again after a challenging time both mentally and physically. As it stands, i'm unsure what my bodywill do and how it will react, all i will say is i will put my heart and soul into it.
The options are:
Finish the 500 miles.
Push my body for as long and as hard as I can until a doctor tells me to stop.
There are no other options.
I've chosen to do this fundraising under the pseudonym 'Mike Cow', i do not want this to be 'about me', however, i feel the need to state clearly my personal reasons for doing this as i'm simply unsure whether my body will hold up and i'm bricking it a little bit if i'm honest! I'm a firm beleiver in giving things a go though, so thers only one way to find out ;)
Also, i'm happy to do media interviews should they present themselves, however, i'd appreciate it if my anonymity is preserved and my 'real name' is kept out of it. Any help with that is greatly appreciated.
If anybody knows of any business's who are willing to contribute kit and'or sponsorship i'm happy to wear their logos on my kit and pose for photographs for media (In a Cow mask of course) as long as said business's square with my personal ethics naturally.
I'd appreciate any help you good people can give, not only in contributing to the fund, but also in making people aware of the Justgiving page in an effort to reach the target. I'm going to be in some very rural places, without reliable internet, sometimes for days; your support will be so very important and appreciated.
I'd also like to acknowledge the help and support of my friend Sean, a former Commando, who will be joining me for the first week or so, to help pace me and ensure i don't knack myself and aal that.
Peace in the Middle East ;)
One love.
x
More info on the Camino de Santiago can be found here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Way_of_St._James
Paulo Coelho's http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pilgrimage
and Emilio Estevez's film 'The Way', http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Way_%28film%29