Rob's ready to raise a glass (and the rest) ...

Remember Rob, the Cider King from a few posts ago?

Well, he's only gone and got himself some press coverage down there in the Hereford Times ... read more of his story here.

He's got a great challenge starting on April 1st (no, it's for real, honest), so best of luck with all your efforts Rob, and readers, do please feel free to support him - you can leave comments here or visit his website.

He's looking good in the 365challenge t-shirt too, if I do say so myself ...

twittering on ...

In case you haven't noticed, I'm keen on promoting this 365challenge thing, so using the old t'internet / interweb gubbins to best effect is a part of that ... hence this blog, the 365challenge website, the facebook group (365challenge for cancer research uk - go along and sign up as a supporter anytime you fancy it) and now ... twitter.com

Good old twitter is that highly addictive "what are you doing now in 140 characters" site ... you can find and follow me there as 365er, and keep tabs not only on what I'm up to day to day for the 365challenge but see how the web can promote this and other wonderful charity efforts ... as well as reading what Stephen Frys been doing on a boat in the Sea of Cortez ... no, sorry, you have to join to know, it's more than my life's worth to spill those beans!!!

C'mon, get twit it and follow me there ... I'll look out for your tweets ...!

other amazing efforts ...

Since I started into this 365challenge year, I've been blown away by the support of those folk who have taken on their own 365challenges and become 365'ers too ... I'm not going to list them all here, but you can read about their efforts on my website on the "Meet the 365'ers" page. And expect more to be added soon.

And while these guys have been doing me proud as 365'ers, I've also come to learn of other wonderful efforts that other innovative fund-raisers have been developing, and I thought I'd share their details here too ...

Paul and Andrew are working on organising "Press Up for Cancer", a two day event in May, which is now gaining international interest, it seems, where they want to get as many individuals and teams together to perform 1000 press-ups each or per team to raise money for Cancer Research UK and MacMillan Cancer Support ... brilliant idea, but not one I could attempt, I fear!

And also in May, firefighters Lee Peyton and Garry Mackay will head to the Outer Hebrides to complete a 300 mile self-supported journey from the south of the island chain to the most northerly tip, the Butt of Lewis, cycling across the islands, running to the highest point on each and kayaking between the islands in a superhuman effort to complete the challenge in under 60 hours.

Their website is really good and they are a great example of how to use t'internet to promote their 300mile challenge ... they are raising money for CLIC Sargent, the charity that supports children with cancer, and are trying to raise a staggering £25000 ... go for it guys, I'll be right behind you ... em ... in Chester ... em ... on my virtual kayak ...

... well, I'll do what I can to promote your efforts, at least, and, and stick a link on my website at some point too. As Garry has offered to join me on one of my mountain endeavours, if he can walk after his own efforts, hopefully you'll hear more of the 300mile challenge on these pages as they progress their training and take on this truly heavyweight challenge.

As I hear of other similarly wonderful ideas, I'll share them with you, and maybe you'll be inspired to have a go too! Who knows, eh?

more press coming up for 365 ...

Remember Debbie's press coverage recently (see January 12th blog entry)?

Well, her "Doing it daily for Duncan" local press story got picked up by a magazine called Full House (think Take a Break-style), and the artice is to appear in Issue 7, due on the newstands on February 5th ... so grab your copy and see what she's been up to ... and then, 365'ers, why not get out there and make your own news headlines!

C'mon, let's get the 365challenge more publicity and draw more people in to take their own challenges for Cancer Research UK. What could YOU do to get in the papers - within the law, please :-) - suggestions welcome via the "comments" button below!

sorry, been busy at work ...

Been a busy week at work (and will be this week too), so I've been quiet on the blogging front. Hope you've all(!) coped.

Some good news from Total Fitness after nearly six months of chasing: they are willing to put up posters about the 365challenge in each of their gyms around the country - that's around 22 branches, I think, and if we signed up just a couple of people from each, that would be a great boost to the numbers, and the fund-raising total. Thanks Neil.

Also with Total Fitness, I've finally got a result of another sort, and managed to speak to their PR guy on Friday ... who loved my story and the plans I have for developing the 365challenge, and today, he sent me a draft of the press release he's written for approval. He hopes he can get some national press coverage, which would be fabulous! Watch this space ...

By the way, did I mention I was busy at work this last week?

How did it get to Monday ...?

Last week was a bit of a blur of activity on the 365challenge - well it was the launch week, I suppose. Two radio interviews and a press call for photos led to two radio interviews being broadcast, one newspaper putting the story on the front page, and another listing the story on their website. Not bad, if I say so myself! And though the interest arising out of this hasn't exactly been overwhelming, there have been messages of support and sponsorship coming through, so that's been great. I would still like to get more people taking up the challenge though, so there's more work to be done.

Then the weekend was busier than I expected, so, though I got to the gym, I didn't manage to cover quite as many miles as I'd have liked to - oh well, only 51 more weeks to go, how on earth will I fit it all in ... ?