Hi All

Well here I am again. Loraine and I did our second charity can shake today at the Fort Shopping Centre in Birmingham. What a lovely day we had again!!! And again the sun shone. We must be doing something right.

We raised a staggering £222.37 – How fantastic is that? A great big THANK YOU to everyone who gave today. You make it all so worthwhile.

It never fails to amaze me just how friendly people are and willing to support us. So many people stop to talk to us as well as give us money. There are people who know others who have the disease and then there are those who are just generally interested in the MS Trust and why we are supporting them. Even a doctor, who obviously knew about the disease, wanted to know more about my son Noel and why I support the MS Trust.

In case you are wondering, I support the MS Trust because, since Noel was first diagnosed with MS, I have utilised the service for information on the disease and research into various treatments. I believe they provide an invaluable service and I have always found their information to be relevant and educational.

The MS Trust says, ‘The MS Trust is a UK charity, providing information for anyone affected by multiple sclerosis, education programmes for health professionals, funding for practical research and campaigning for specialist multiple sclerosis services.’

Til next time folks ........................

p.s. Don't forget you can help me to achieve and hopefully exceed my fundraising target of £3000 by visiting and donating at http://www.justgiving.com/caroljones-trek

Hi all…..

We have been really busy on the fundraising front. Firstly I went along to Bosworth Wood School to collect the cheque for £147.00 which they raised by holding a non-uniform day. The Solihull Times covered the event and we made the front page!!! How fantastic was that?

Here I am with (from left to right) Noel, Harry and Charli my three wonderfull grandchildren at Bosworth Wood Primary School. Autographs are available - for a fee, ha ha.

Loraine and I did our first can shake on Sunday 18th May at Melbicks Nursery. The gods must have been smiling on us that day because the rain stopped and the sun shone for part of the day. We had real fun, but more importantly we raised £232.80. A huge thank you to everyone who gave us money. We really do appreciate your kindness and generosity. Quite a few people came over and talked to us about MS. It is amazing how many people have a relative, friend, etc with MS.

Loraine and I ready for our first can shake.

I hear the plumbers in Canterbury are donating to the fund too. Loraine’s Uncle Ben who lives in Canterbury is collecting money from them on our behalf.

My son Paul is running a half marathon soon and he is collecting sponsorship which will also go to the fund.

My son Karl is taking part in an open day at work and a proportion of the profit is being donated to the fund. He is also gathering sponsorship from his family, friends and work colleagues in Milton Keynes.

I am mugging everyone who enters the house. They have to empty their pockets / purses and all coins worth less than 20p go into a collection box. If you intend to visit – you have been warned.

I went for a drink with some girl friends recently and the money which was left over in the ‘kitty’at the end of the night was donated. Thanks Girls.

I am still working on sponsorship from suppliers at work. I have had an agreed donation from Leon at Mercol Office Furniture and sponsorship from all the staff at The Essex Group. If you are a supplier of CIS Office Furniture Ltd and would like to sponsor me, please don’t be shy – get in touch.

Til next time folks ........................

p.s. Don't forget you can help me to achieve and hopefully exceed my fundraising target of £3000 by visiting and donating at http://www.justgiving.com/caroljones-trek

Hi all

Someone said to me last night that my last entry here was on 8th April. Although I agreed it had been sometime since I sat down and wrote about recent events, I was shocked to discover that they were correct and in fact it had been that long ago. Where does the time go?

Ok - lots to report. Loraine has been busy with letters, but to date she has not had a single reply. She has been writing to local companies requesting items we can use as prizes in raffles as well as football clubs for signed items which we can auction at an event to be organised in July/August. She has also been trying to get the go ahead to hold charity can shakes/collections at local venues. Again no-one has got back to her. Still, no one said this was going to be easy and if something is important to you, you will work at it. So, we both keep working at it. Neither of us are professional fundraisers, so I imagine we are going through a huge learning curve at the moment.

Anyone with any ideas - please do contact us.

The fantastic news I have to tell you is that our local Primary School, Bosworth Wood, held a non-uniform day and raised £147 for us. Noel and his brothers attended the school and Noel’s nephews and niece now also attend the school. It was Loraine again who approached the school and organised it with one of the members of staff, Mr Cherrington, who remembers Noel. When I told Noel about it, he beamed from ear to ear and said he also remembers Mr Cherrington and asked me to say a big THANK YOU to him and everyone at the school.

I would also like to say a massive thank you to everyone involved for the kindness shown to myself and Noel and for the generous donations made. Noel has been rather unwell of late with a nasty chest infection and this news cheered him so much. I have been invited to the school to be presented with the cheque and the local press are going to cover the event. Famous at last !!!

I am still going to the gym although with Noel being poorly I have not been as often as I would have liked. Superwoman I may be, but even I can not stop time in order for me to fit everything in. I have to say though I have noticed a difference in the amount of time I can keep going on the treadmill and rowing machine before I collapse and need oxygen. So I must be getting fitter, which can not be bad.

Til next time folks ........................

p.s. Don't forget you can help me to achieve and hopefully exceed my fundraising target of £3000 by visiting and donating at http://www.justgiving.com/caroljones-trek

I am so very lucky, I now have my very own fundraising Campaigns Manager. Sounds very grand doesn't it? My daughter in law Loraine has taken on the role and has been busy sending emails to prospective donors. She has some very good ideas for raising funds, I can see I shall have my work cut out keeping up with her.

Talking of keeping up - I am still going to and enjoying working out at the gym. The morning after a wrokout leaves a little to be desired though as my muscles are sore. Getting out of bed is almost a work of art, as it takes a lot of effort along with many strange noises just to be able to stand upright. I am assured by many people that the sore stiff muscles will adapt and stop hurting in about 4 weeks. Great - can't wait.

Til next time folks ........................

p.s. Don't forget you can help me to achieve and hopefully exceed my fundraising target of £3000 by visiting and donating at http://wwww.justgiving.com/caroljones-trek

Hi

I have exciting news !!! Chris, my trekking partner and I held our first fundraising event last night (Saturday 5th April) at our local Ceroc freestyle event. It all happened rather quickly though, as we had only asked permission to do so on Wednesday evening, 2nd April. I contacted the MS Trust the next morning and they immediately sent us a supply of collecting boxes, t-shirts and posters. We placed the collecting boxes on the many tables at the venue along with a small information sheet, which explained why we were raising funds. We also managed to orgainse a raffle. I had already bought a couple of bottles of spirits in anticipation of doing such an event and we received a number of donated prizes. Kind thanks to Phil at CIS and my brother who each donated two bottles of wine, my father for bottles of whisky and Chris's employers for boxes of chocolates.

What a fantastic evening. Everyone was so supportive of what we intend to do and generously bought the raffle tickets and placed donations in the collection boxes. We raised £95.00 from the raffle and £22.92 from the collection boxes. So a great big THANK YOU to everyone.

Til next time folks ...........

p.s don't forget you can donate online to help me reach and hopfully exceed my £3000 fundraising target. http://www.justgiving.com/caroljones-trek

Hi

I have exciting news !!! Chris, my trekking partner and I held our first fundraising event last night (Saturday 5th April) at our local Ceroc freestyle event. It all happened rather quickly though, as we had only asked permission to do so on Wednesday evening, 2nd April. I contacted the MS Trust the next morning and they immediately sent us a supply of collecting boxes, t-shirts and posters. We placed the collecting boxes on the many tables at the venue along with a small information sheet, which explained why we were raising funds. We also managed to orgainse a raffle. I had already bought a couple of bottles of spirits in anticipation of doing such an event and we received a number of donated prizes. Kind thanks to Phil at CIS and my brother who each donated two bottles of wine, my father for bottles of whisky and Chris's employers for boxes of chocolates.

What a fantastic evening. Everyone was so supportive of what we intend to do and generously bought the raffle tickets and placed donations in the collection boxes. We raised £95.00 from the raffle and £22.92 from the collection boxes. So a great big THANK YOU to everyone.

Hi ya - here is an update on what I have been up to recently.

Did not get to speak to printer as was sent an email offering printing at low cost plus items printed for free. So I sent order for 250 business cards which would have my 'justgiving' web address on and cost only £2.50. I also got to order at no cost, a pen, 50 postcards, 25 fridge magnets, all printed with the same info as on the business cards. altogether I paid £16 which included postage and packing for all items. I thought it was a great deal. Can not wait for them to arrive which should be anytime soon. I can then start distributing them and hopefully I will get some sponsors from them.

Spoke to boss who said it would be ok for me to approach suppliers for sponsorship. Need to speak to Jess's brother first though, as I made reference to Jess on my 'justgiving' page and did not want to circulate my webpage address until he agreed it was ok. Last thing I want is to upset him in anyway. He has been through so much. I feel priviledged to have met and known both Jess and Suttu, two wonderful human beings. He has since given me the green light to go ahead and distribute my webpage address.

Joined a Gym!!! Thinking about the trek and the fact it is only seven months away, which I know will fly by, I started to feel a little panicky. Mainly because before I know it the time for the trek will be upon me and I will not be prepared as I will allow other events to take my time. My thought therefore was that by joining a gym I would be more focused and motivated.

So, on Sunday I went along to Virgin Active and was shown around by a guy who was very informative and I joined up straight away. I was given an appointment with a personal trainer who would go through what it was I wanted to achieve.

Went to my appointment tonight Tuesday 18.03.2008 feeling a little apprehensive as did not know what to expect. No need to have worried though as met with my personal trainer who was lovely and quickly put me at ease. He also has some knowledge of MS which delighted me. I know I am going on the trek to raise money but I am always ready to raise awareness of MS. He also suggested I may be able to put up some posters or something to raise awareness about the trek and/or MS. You never know some of the people who use the gym may decide to sponsor me, which would be fantastic.

Anyway, a programme of training has been devised for me and I am going to have another session with my personal trainer as he wants to have a look at the training schedule I received in the welcome pack after signing up to the trek. He wants to ensure my training schedule is correct and designed to ensure I have the best possible chance of reaching the summit. With individuals like him encouraging me on - how can I fail? He also made a suggestion that I name my blog after the new Indiana Jones film. People may then come across it by mistake. ‘Carol Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’ Hmmmmm, need to think about that one. I shall have to get an Indiana Jones outfit and have some pics taken – hey this suddenly sounds like good fun.

Tonight I attempted each exercise which it was felt would be of benefit to me and although I did think yeah this is going to be a peice of a cake, I got a bit of a shock after I got home. I drove home, ran upstairs, got changed then was about to run downstairs, yeah yeah I know I am always dashing, when I suddenly became aware of the fact that my legs were aching and a bit jelly like. I nearly fell down the flippin stairs. probably not as fit as I believed I was. Then again - could be lack of chocolate.

Til next time folks ....................

Well I have set up my blog space and hopefully with everything crossed it should work

The reason for this blog - I am going to trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world, in October 2008. I intend to raise at least £3000 in the process for The MS Trust. The MS Trust is an independent UK charity for people with multiple sclerosis, their families and friends, and for all health professionals. It aims to make a positive difference for people with MS and to work to the highest possible standards. Charity Registration No 1088353. I shall keep all my sponsors, friends, etc updated with my training (oh yeah can't wait for that bit) and eventual trek. I shall keep a diary of my trek and update this site on my return with pics.

Not a lot to report at the moment as I am working hard (living, eating and breathing) on fundraising ideas which do not require much physical exercise although it is putting some strain on me mentally. I have so many ideas just as I wake up. Why is that? I really must put a pen and paper next to my bed. By the time I have got to write my great ideas down I have forgotten most of them. I am going to approach a local printer and ask them to either print some free of charge mini cards for me. The cards will have my fundraising web page address on them www.justgiving.com/caroljones-trek which I can distribute or if not maybe they will sponsor me. Either way it must be worth asking the question. Watch this space!!!

I am going to ask my boss at work if I can approach suppliers for sponsorship and a local shopping centre if I can hold a can shake. So much to do - so little time to do it in.

Come back soon as I will update with news as and when it happens.

Til next time folks .........