About
Me
Wo'h, where do I start? ... My name is Steve
Kelly, I'm 30 yrs old and I live in
Cwmbran, South Wales. To pay the bills, I'm an IT and Support
Engineer for a local and very successful company dealing in Water
Management (cue free advertising) Palmer
Environmental. My
personal interests include: art and design (web, 2d, 3d), news.
technology, shoot-em-up-bang-bangs (computer games), having a
laugh, enjoying life, DIY, reading, music, film, history, mountain
biking to name a few things.
Oh
and I'm learning Spanish: Que hora es el despues burro a Madrid...
muy bien mi amigo, muchas gracias. See!! 
About
the Challenge
In short: to ride across Vietnam, raising as
much money for St Anne's Hospice and Cancer Research UK. The
trip is being organised through Across The Divide, a specialised
expedition company that offers some amazing challenges for charity
fundraisers. PS we're not talking a sunday bike ride in the park,
we're talking some serious mileage
In
long: read on...
Why
Do It?
Again, where do I start? ... Cancer has
affected so much of my life, not personally/physically (todavía
- siempre el pesimista) but from family and friends. My Dad
was diagnosed with cancer a few years back, but thanks to an early
diagnoses doctors were able to help and with the operation and
aftercare, he's back on the golf course and doing well. Unfortunately,
although my Grandad had already won his first battle with cancer
a few years back, it was within the "5 yr clear zone"
it reared it's ugly head again.
Seeing
someone die from any cause is a terrible experience, but to see
someone suffer and fight months of unbearable pain, both physically
and mentally, then wilt away to nothing is just, well.. too much
to even try and put into words.
When
I found out my Grandads second battle with cancer was terminal
and there was nothing they could do apart from "make him
comfortable", I didn't know what or how to feel. It's not
something you can really talk about and he wasn't really a man
who would show his emotions to people, you know... putting on
a brave face to impress. Never made a complaint or had a bad thing
to say, even towards the end...
I've
always dreamed of riding across a far off country and enjoy adventures,
and I've always had a fascination with Vietnam, the people, the
culture... After delaying the idea for years, and after some amazingly
inspiring talks about the world with my Grandad, I decided to
take the plunge. I'm giving up the fag's, getting fit and determined
to see the country, the people, the culture... and if I can raise
a few thousand pounds to some very worthy causes along the way,
all the better.
Besides
which, I made a promise to someone...
My
Grandad spent his last few months at St Anne's Hospice, Newport
and I really cannot begin to say thanks or give enough praise
for their care and attention. The Nurses and Sisters are second
to none, speaking with patients, family, friends and offering
support and kind words for all.
I'll
be raising the funds for St Anne's Hospice and Cancer Research
UK. I'm sure you'll all agree their both very worthy causes.
About
Cancer
"Cancer
is a common illness. More than one in three of us will develop
cancer at some point." Cancer
Research UK
We
all know what cancer is and how devastating it can be. Infact,
I'm more than sure you all know at least one person who has been
affected by it one way or another. I cannot give you scientific
details or biological reports on what it is, but what I can say
is, it's the most disgusting, life sapping, horrible, sickening
illness that needs more funding and research from all levels.
People
spend millions on the lottery and don't batter an eyelid. You
have more chance of developing a cancer than you do winning the
lottery. Which do you prefer to put you money on now? Dig deep,
the more money raised will help towards developing new medicine
and technology to help battle cancer and a hope one day to have
a cure and to stop cancer dead in it's tracks.
About
Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK is the world's leading
charity dedicated to research on the causes, treatment and prevention
of cancer. Their
vision is to conquer cancer through world-class research, aiming
to control the disease within two generations, supporting the
work of over 3,000 scientists, doctors and nurses working across
the UK. Their annual scientific spend is more than £213
million, which is raised almost entirely through public donations.
For
more information please visit: Cancer
Research UK
About
St Anne's Hospice
St.Anne's hospice opened in September 1994
in answer to a perceived need in the area - the provision of a
dedicated in-patient facility for patients who required hospice
care. It is owned and managed by the Sisters of St. Joseph of
Annecy and is situated in the grounds of St. Josephs private hospital,
Newport. The
current provision is for 8 specialist palliative care beds, where
patients can expect a high standard of care delivered by a multi-disciplinary
team.
St
Anne's Hospice is an independent charity. It costs approximately
£1.5 million/yr to operate. They currently negotiate around
20% of their funding from the government. This leaves £1.2
million - that's £23,000 per week - which must be raised
to enable them to continue.
For
more information please visit: St
Anne's Hospice
About
Across The Divide
Across
the Divide was established in 1996 by Mark and Karen Hannaford,
both of whom are Directors of the company. Marks background is
as project manager for Raleigh International, formerly Operation
Raleigh and as a mountain guide. Karens was formerly as an event
manager for the childrens charity ICAN, and they have a combined
experience of almost thirty years of working in the world of expeditions
and charity.
Across
the Divide Charity Treks, Charity Dogsledding, bike rides and
projects around the world helping to bring charity fundraisers
and worthy causes together. Whether you are a traveller wanting
to explore some of the worlds most interesting locations, and
benefit a charity at the same time, or a charity wanting to attract
more funds and build on peoples awareness of your cause then our
range of challenges might well provide you with the ideal fundraising
solution. Charity challenges, charity treks, charity walks, projects,
rafting, climbs, bike rides, multi activity challenges, expeditions
and charity dogsledding.
For
more information please visit: Across
The Divide
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