First Dates on the MayFair Power & Tower Race

It has been an eventful time at the DM Thomas Foundation for Young People where I am volunteering on my sabbatical from the NHS.

As part of my internship gaining experience in Event fundraising, I was tasked in helping organising the annual Mayfair Power and Tower Race held on the 26th May. We had nearly 100 competitors taking part. The event consisted of running 5km through Hyde Park, then entering the lobby of the iconic Hilton Hotel Park Lane before taking on the daunting challenge of ascending 28 flights of stairs to the Michelin-star Galvin at Windows Restaurant. Our intrepid Olympians were well rewarded with a medal and a lavish champagne breakfast to feast upon. This year’s winners were Mark Apsey who did it in a record 19:52 minutes and Louisa Lingley who completed the event in 21:40 minutes. All the money raised on this unique and exceptional challenge was donated to Galvin's Chance an into work programme for disadvantage young people in society.
http://galvinschance.co.uk/

My own claim to fame on that blistering hot Friday morning was I had the great fortune of having a selfie taken with Fred Sirieix the star of Channel 4 First Dates, and also the Co-founder of Galvin's Chance. He did a wonderful speech at the end of proceedings firstly, congratulating the runners and the event organisers plus talking about Galvin's Chance describing how the money raised by the participants will assist vulnerable young adults.  

In summary the ninth running of this event was a tremendous success with a record  number of contestants racing and a large amount of money donated to a worthy cause. If that wasn't  satisfaction enough, my new best selfie pal Fred remarked he would put in a good word for me to appear on the next series of First Dates. I replied that  I would only star if I was paired up with either Alesha Dixon or Beyoncé, preferably both. I maybe waiting a long for that phone call from the programme producers! 

Fred Sirieix and I

All the volunteers who made this race possible

Not Resting On My Laurels On Six Month Sabbatical

To date it has been 4 months since I took the monumental decision to take time off work to principally volunteer my services to work in the Charitable Events Industry.

I have no regrets over my decision especially as I am learning a great deal from my internship (funny to use that term considering that I am as old as Moses) at a charity called DM Thomas Foundation for Young People. It is a grants charity dedicated to helping disadvantaged and vulnerable young people and children transform their lives across the UK and Europe. Their website if anybody is interested in finding more about the organisation is: http://dmthomasfoundation.org/

For me there was always the imminent danger that my sabbatical could turn out in one of two ways. First as above that I find stimulating work giving me insight and valuable experience in the business of events fundraising. The second alternative that I feared, was that I did not secure any suitable position and that my time spent would be watching the Jeremy Kyle show and feasting on KFC. The only benefit after 26 weeks would be that I would be a distinguished expert on dysfunctional families who love to appear on daytime TV and possessing  an elephantine backside which Kim Kardashian would be envy of. Thankfully, the latter did not materialise although I did come awfully close on occasions.

In fact the time away from the NHS has also given me the opportunity to attend the gym on a regular basis, take up a new sport in the form of squash and increase my competence on the culinary front. It's highly unlikely that I will star on Masterchef  anytime soon but I can whip up a mean meat casserole if so desired. With me eating far more healthily than before combined with my spin cycling, squash and Zumba classes I have been able to shed a few pounds along the way. I confess going to Weight Watchers has also helped enormously in not becoming the size of Milton Keynes.

Overall, it has been a positive endeavour taking time off from paid employment to join the voluntary sector. Apart from not having much money thus restricting my normal routine binge on drugs, sex and rocknroll I would recommend it to anyone who has the inclination to learn something new and has the wherewithal to finance it.

Enjoying my Sabbatical at the Haven't Stopped Dancing Yet Disco in Greenwich. 

Gala Dinner to celebrate money raised by supporters for the DM Thomas Foundation for Young People

Fred Sirieix from Channel 4 First Dates fame speaking at the DM Thomas Foundation for Young People Awards Ceremony

    

Bruges Here We Come!

Time is nearly upon us when I take myself away to another foreign land. Before the United Kingdom decides whether to stay in or out of the European Union I thought best to venture beyond our national borders one more time. I have this awful feeing that after the referendum on 23rd June that authorities may be compelled to brick up the Euro Tunnel to stop these pesky foreigners and migrants swamping our civilisation.

There is no better place than a 3 day trip to Bruges, Belgium to spend possibly my last Euro holiday. My travelling companion and I will be getting the National Express coach at Victoria on the first of next month.

It is an early departure at 8.00am reaching the main station in Bruges by mid-afternoon. My friend joked that it gives us ample time to consume as much local beverage on the first night.

However, my main aim in venturing to this ancient market city is to consume its culture, history, canals and magnificent buildings. But I confess that I can't wait also to taste the world famous Belgium chocolate and the assortment of delightful beers that Bruges has to offer to a thirsty traveller. However, I have promised myself not to eat or drink excessively during my stay. I have no intention in returning to England 10 pounds heavier.

As always I will be writing my holiday experiences on Social Media including Twitter and Trip Advisor. The hotel we chose is Martin's Brugge. It is very central and easy walking distance to many of the attractions. It has reasonable reviews on TripAdvisor and I just hope it lives up to expectation, which I am sure it will do along with the beer and chocolate.

Bruges is famous for its Canals

Martin's Brugge Hotel

Reception area of hotel

One of 118 Guest rooms. Some with roof beams

That Nice West Indian Boy

It was mere coincidence that during my stay on this lovely island that there would be an opportunity to attend a cricket Test match featuring my beloved West Indies. The venue was Galle, an old colonial town further south from where I was staying in Kalutara.

I took a tuk tuk from the Mermaid hotel to the station, south of Kalutara. The ride was an experience. The journey which would normally take 20 minutes took 10. I had informed the driver that I was West Indian supporting my team in the first Test match in Galle. The driver dressed in a sarong could not have been more excited for me. In his broken English he replied that his hero was Vivian Richards and he loved Carribean cricket. He made sure that I did not miss my 8.05 express train to Galle. We weaved in and out of traffic with such speed and precision that Lewis Hamilton would be put to shame. He even got my ticket for me when we arrived to the station. I over heard him say to the ticket master please make sure that this nice West Indian boy gets a nice window seat.

The 90 minute journey was eventful. A group of young boys dressed in immaculate white shirts and trousers with polished black shoes sat beside and opposite me. Like me they were going to Galle to watch the cricket. They began singing with one playing the bongos. It lasted the whole duration of the train ride.

An old man tried to join the school boy vocalists by singing out of tune which was not helped by him banging a plastic box at the same time. It was not at all surprising when he tried to asked for a monetary reward for his efforts from the passengers that he got zilch. Sri Lankans are discerning folk. They can distinguish shit from gold and the old man's performance fell definitely in the shit category.

The ground was only a 5 minute walk from the station. I said farewell to the boys in white and I made my way to the Galle Test arena. It cost a thousand rupees (£5) entrance fee. With that you got a lovely seat with a wonderful view of the play. Accompanying this was the flat screen TVs dotted around where  I was located. Thus if you were tired of watching the game live you could go to the bar and watch the game there whist drinking a cold Lion beer. Although the Windies were being soundly taken to the cleaners by the host nation I enjoyed my day at the cricket. This is one I can take off my bucket list, watching Test match cricket in a foreign land.

At the close of play I walked around Galle, the old Dutch colonial town. I ventured up the fortress. The view from the ramparts was magnificent. Galle is as beautiful as West Indies were woeful. They followed on still 189 runs behind with 8 wickets remaining.

I missed the train home and got a bus back to the Kalutara station. The same tuk tuk driver was waiting for me as I arrived. He already knew the Test score. He commiserated saying the Windies would mount a fight back.

Neither he or I really believed that would happen taking into account past Windies performances. I had a fun day out in Galle only spoilt by the cricket on display. This West Indian boy can't have it all.