Robin on the Radio live from Mauritius 18/09/2018
Robin’s Blog Seven
‘Opportunities’ (let’s make lots of money) or ‘Sacrifice’ ?
Did you know.. ..
Its a human sign, when things go wrong…
OK I may have adapted that for my own use. However, it’s a good starting point for this blog. Confused? If I was to ask you to describe the words ‘human or humanity’ I wonder what your answer would be? These words apply to all of us, you me everybody, with no bias or agenda.
I strongly believe that we all have an inbuilt basic instinct to do the right thing, when put to the test. OK, there is a small percentage of humanity who choose to ignore or bypass this instinct. However, for the remainder, we naturally follow this instinct, in fact you could say we are a humane lot. It never ceases to amaze me how much can be achieved when we work together. So well done, you are doing a great job.
Moving on, opportunities. I truly feel privileged to have been chosen for this challenge. I guess I have Parkinson’s to thank for this. I can’t imagine ever considering the thought shall I/can I row an Ocean, to say it’s out of my comfort zone is a massive understatement. If my diagnosis has made me realise one thing, it’s how important it is, to make the most of your life, now. Grab every opportunity that comes your way, who knows what tomorrow will bring?
To be in a position to help with research at Oxford Brookes University is something I am passionate about. Research is the only way we will ever move forward with finding a cure for Parkinson’s or any other disease for that matter. If you feel you could help research, please volunteer. Without a united group movement and acceptance that research is key I fear we may falter and fail in this quest. There is research for fit and healthy people too, especially in the field of Genetics, looking for any increased hereditary signs. I have volunteered for numerous research projects but this one provides a unique glimpse of the effects of continuous exercise has on someone with Parkinson’s disease.
The opportunity to do something positive, help research, increase awareness and educate with the goal to keep things moving forward is my ultimate aim.
I will probably be the first person with Parkinson’s to row an Ocean, hopefully I won’t be the last. I am not doing this for my own propaganda or self interest. I am doing it for everyone who has been effected by this disease to try and keep the level of awareness up and news worthy.
Next up, let’s make lots of money. This may be your driving force in life, it can be an important part but money can’t buy you love. When I say let’s make lots of money, I’m not talking about myself and the crew but donations to the charities we have chosen to support.
If all of my close friends donated £20 how much do you think I could raise? Hundreds? Thousands? More? I would guess Probably around £20.
I know it seems everyone is always asking for your support for this charity or that. How many people have the quick retort, I already give to charity? Fully aware that they cancelled the direct debit years ago when the same charity bombarded them with free pens, letters of guilt, please give more or what some would simply call harassing junk mail not to mention giving your details to other charities. You start to wonder whether your donation went to the cause or just huge stationary bills and postage.
So why are the charities we are supporting any different? They are much smaller charities without huge overheads. They are still very focused on their original remit and purpose. You won’t receive any further requests for gifting or have your details sold on to third parties.
Sorry I could easily write a lot about charities and some things may not sound so charitable. I will save that for another day, perhaps.
Back to donations, I have taught and helped quite literally thousands of students over the years. Just for an example, if they were all kind enough to donate one pound we would be talking of donations amounting to more than twelve thousand pounds, not bad. If they were more generous and gave a larger donation, then wow that’s the potential to raise a lot of money.
OK this is somewhat hypothetical but I think you probably see where I am coming from. If you can give anything please do. To friends, family and students who have donated already thank you. For those who haven’t please if you can donate, thanks, it truly is much appreciated.
To finish, hopefully some of you are still with me.
Yes this is a wonderful adventure to become involved with but I never realised the full impact it could or would have on family and friends.
The sacrifice.
I truly believe in this challenge succeeding, to date I have personally invested more than £10,000 to keep the momentum going at critical pinch points. Some of this money paid for a family holiday to Mauritius. The plan was they would be there to welcome me back onto land. To say booking a family holiday and not being able to attend can cause friction would be an understatement. To be away from my family since the start of June until now (I will be back in the UK next week) has also caused much stress and trauma. Nicola and Rory also deserve recognition for the extreme challenge they have faced, all that time without me, I may have to buy them medals. Though they may send me off on another challenge when they remember what I’m like to live with.
Billy, had to leave the fire service to participate in this challenge. He hopes, to find similar work on his return to the UK.
Barry, had to leave his job and plans to find similar on his return, if he can.
James the entreprenure, has left his business ticking over but had hoped to be home in time to be best man for a friend. This unfortunately is looking pretty tight now. (As you should all know by now, he did get to the wedding on time, parachuting in, with just an hour to spare to perform his best man duties) If that’s not a sterling best man I don’t know what is. The happy couple hope to repay James with a weekend away in Bognor Regis when he has time to fit it in.
In short the crew, their families and friends have all invested heavily in this challenge.
Again If you can donate it would be greatly appreciated, please use the following link to take you to our donations page. IOR18.com
Thanks.
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