The Smith Family’s Inspired Adventure

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About The Smith Family and the Great Wall of China Trek

By choosing to fundraise and take part in this once-in-a-lifetime adventure, our trekkers are making a life-changing difference to young Australians in need.

The money raised will be enough to sponsor one tertiary level and one junior school student for a full year, providing all the educational essentials they need and making a huge difference in their lives. Already this team has raised over $67,000… visit their team page and cheer them on by making a donation -> The Smith Family’s Team Page

FEELING INSPIRED?

Read more trip stories from China or visit the Inspired Adventures Calendar and find a Charity Challenge perfect for you.

 

 

 

London Marathon 2013

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Sun. 21 Apr: They came, they ran, they conquered!

With five minutes left on the 21st of April 2013, I feel I’m just in the knick of time to debrief on what was an incredible day.  Team Inspired Adventures Virgin London Marathon 2013 were up bright and early at 7am prepped and ready to hop on an 8am bus to the start line, where there would be no escape!  The sun was shining, the sky was bluer than blue, and spirits were high.  ”We’ve come this far, may as well run the bloody thing,” Anita told us.  Some brilliant wisdom as the day began to unfold.

At 9:45am the starting horn sounded and the runners were away!  I was leading up the cheer squad, which was perched excitedly just before the 12-mile marker with flags, blow horns, and inflatable hands that were all the rage with the 36,000 runners.  All of our “kit” was, of course, emblazoned with the Australian flag.

Our runners zoomed past us one at time.  The first person we were able to catch a glimpse of was Udit, who was on fire in the first half.  After him came Carlo who was in such a zone, he ran right past us and told everyone over dinner that he didn’t even realize it was his wife and the cheer squad!

They were followed by Michael, who became the Inspired Adventures all-time greatest fundraiser, topping $50,000 while running in memory of his wife for Leukemia Foundation.  After Michael we saw Melissa and Martelle but somehow missed Anita and Lorraine.  They may have been hidden behind the giant fire hydrant, rhino costume, or gingerbread man!

The whole team regrouped this evening for a celebratory drink and dinner.  They recounted war stories before dozing off at the table around 8pm.  A classy bunch!  It was a day like no other and writing as someone who ran the London Marathon in 2012, this is an event that certainly tops the list of life experiences.

So, what are you waiting for?  Isn’t it time to sign up for team 2014?

Fri. 19 Apr: Getting ready to run!

Our 2013 London Marathon team have arrived and are resting up and preparing themselves for the big race on Sunday. Here’s a weather update from the organisers:

Inspired Adventures and the 2013 Virgin London Marathon

This year, we are proud to have 12 runners in the Virgin London Marathon. They are representing Cure Cancer Australia Foundation,the Leukaemia Foundation and Variety, the Children’s Charity. Collectively our 12 runners have raised $165,000 for these great charities.

Team Fundraising pages:

The London Marathon starts at 9:30am on Sunday 21 April 2013 (London time). Inspired Adventures will be tweeting updates from around 6pm on Sunday evening (Sydney time). Join us online using the following Twitter handles/hashtags:

Read more marathon stories, secure a place in the Virgin London Marathon 2014 or visit the Inspired Adventures Calendar and find a Charity Challenge perfect for you.

Fearless Leaders Kokoda Challenge 2013

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Thu. 25 Apr: ANZAC Day

An early rise for a very special Anzac Day ceremony in honour of the soldiers who lost their lives here, as well as all the Anzacs.

Unmarked graves at Brigade Hill

The trekkers will continue through the jungles to Efogi 1, a peaceful village which marks the halfway point of the trek. From here it’s onwards to Naduri village where they will be able to rest and reflect on the ceremony this morning. It was here on this very track that so many lives were lost fighting to protect our young nation. What a moving place place to be for Anzac Day.

Team Lifeline will have a chance to rest, wash clothes, and join in some traditional celebrations later tonight. This is the village where the head guide, Andy, comes from so the Fearless Leaders will be receive a special welcome as guests of honour. No doubt a traditional ‘Sing Sing’ (celebration) will take place.

Wed. 24 Apr: Brigade Hill

Today the Lifeline Fearless Leaders will begin the long ascent up Brigade Hill, taking it slowly and surely. Brigade Hill was the scene of a major battle in September 1942 where 101 Australian soldiers lost their lives. Tomorrow morning we will rise early to commemorate their lives, and the lives of other Anzacs, in a special dawn ceremony.

Tue. 23 Apr: Menari

Today is a great day on the Kokoda Track – it’s mostly downhill! That said, it is by no means a walk in the park. The Fearless Leaders will encounter varying terrain as they make their way towards Menari village. Descending down the Maguli Range, they’ll cross swampy flatlands and the Brown River. They will have to dig deep to push themselves onwards in the rising heat as the day wears on. Nearing Menari, the Fearless Leaders will realise that what goes down, must come up! To reach Menari, they will have to take on a short but steep ascent before the final descent into the village. Menari Village is the site where the brave 39th Battalion were withdrawn from the campaign on the eve of the battle at Brigade Hill, while the remaining ‘Ragged Bloody Heroes’ struggled back to Port Moresby, exhausted and on the brink of total collapse.

Mon. 22 Apr: Naoro Village

Sun. 21 Apr: Ua Ule Creek

The challenge Begins today. This is what the team have been training for both physically and mentally for the last few months. The trek starts at the South of the Kokoda track, with an aim to reach the North end by day 9. Already the team have been able to delve into the history of the area they are walking through, with a visit to the Bomana War Cemetery en route to their first campsite.  A big reminder to the team of the strength and character of our Australian veterans. Aside from the emotional connection to our soldiers, the team also experience the back-breaking ascent of Imita Ridge. The team was welcomed by a swimming hole at Ua Ule at the end of their big day. Spirits are high on day one, as the team rest their heads surrounded by rainforest trees that form a perfect frame for the star filled night sky.

Sat. 20 Apr: Fly to Port Moresby

And they’re off! Team Lifeline are enjoying a comfortable short flight from Australia to Port Moresby, an opportunity to sit, reflect and take in everything they’re about to take on! The team arrived safely at the Holiday Inn, where they can enjoy a dip in the swimming pool and some serious carb loading before the start of tomorrows big adventure.

Fri.19 Apr: One sleep to go!

It’s finally here! Brendan, Mark, Troy, Brian, Graham, Benjamin and Carolyn are making final preparations before their flight to Port Moresby tomorrow. We wish them all well on their adventure through the jungles of Papua New Guinea.

Here’s a map of campsite that they will be staying at during their trek. Be sure to follow the time live on the GPS map.

Image from www.trekkokoda.com.au

ABOUT THE LIFELINE AND THE FEARLESS LEADERS KOKODA CHALLENGE 

Each day 6 Australians are lost to suicide. It’s a startling figure yet at Lifeline, it is believed most suicides are preventable. So do the 7 Lifeline supporters, who are heading to Papua New Guinea (PNG) to trek the mighty Kokoda track to raise vital funds for Lifeline Australia. The Fearless Leaders Kokoda Challenge Team have successfully fundraised over $55, 000 for Lifeline Australia!

The funds raised will go directly to the lifesaving support services that Lifeline gives to Australians in crisis, the access to real time, one-on-one, online conversation. Lifeline believes that access to support and intervention in times of crisis can save lives.

Now the real challenge begins… On 20 April, the team board their plane to PNG to walk in the footsteps of Australian soldiers on the legendary Kokoda Track.

Every member on this incredible team has fundraised well beyond their original fundraising targets; they truly are fearless leaders!! We wish this team an incredible journey. You can follow Brendan, Mark, Troy, Brian, Graham, Benjamin and Carolyn live as they make their way along the track. Click here to view the GPS map.

FEELING INSPIRED?

Read more trip stories from Kokoda or visit the Inspired Adventures Calendar and find a Charity Challenge perfect for you.