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OCTOBER 2015
This will be the month when I finally get to finish my Lap of the Map properly.
The Steven Walter Childrens Cancer Foundation have announced a charity ride around Tasmania, or as I will be calling it "The RAT". (There you go Channel 7, Rip that title off too). It is timed to conclude at the 2015 Snowy Ride in Thredbo and is sure to be an unreal ride with a great bunch of people again.
Unfortunately I won't be able to take my pillion along on this ride due to his schooling commitments. However we should be able to work in a quick trip to the Snowy Ride (the 7th and 8th of November) so he can catch up with everyone.
I now need to raise the money to gain entry to the ride and this is where you all come in. In the near future I will be setting up an Everyday Hero account that allows everyone to donate directly to the foundation. (none of the money raised goes to pay any of my expenses,and nor should it).
Keep an eye on this site for updates (probably closer to the date of departure).
Ok, that'll do for now.
Copul8r
Marty...
Well It's Official......
My bid to join the 2013 Around Australia Ride is over. A number of circumstances have combined and left my last shred of hope dead in the water.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank those that have sent messages of support and hope you all remain true to your pledge. Simply click the Steven Walter Foundation link on the right of this page and you can donate to them directly.
Stay rubber side down
Copul8r
Marty........
*****PLEASE READ BELOW *****
Hi everyone,
It's now a bit over a year since the end of our little adventure and while attending the 2011 Snowy Ride I was informed that the Steven Walter Foundation was going to organise another Around Australia Ride in May 2013.
I am currently in consultation with the Minister for War and Finance (the wife) about the possibility of participating and raising a stack of money for childhood cancer research again. In reality, it's not going so well and I really could use all the support and assistance possible to change her mind. Part of the sticking point is that I need to raise at least $7500 to be eligible to participate. So if I could start by getting emails of support that may begin to turn the tide.
Putting it simply, this site has over 10,000 hits so far and if I could get everyone of those to send an email with a pledge of just $5 we would smash the total required. A pledge is all that I'm looking for at the moment because my everyday hero page has expired. If the support arrives I will renew the everyday hero page.
Remember, ALL donations go directly to the Steven Walter Foundation. Not 1 cent goes to offset my expenses, should I be allowed to go.
Please send emails of support for Marty to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Thanks
copul8r
Marty.................12th January 2012.
By the way, all the trip notes are completed...
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G'day all,
As I'm sure you have all guessed, we have completed our trip. I'm sorry that the trip tales aren't yet finished, I had a slightly terminal computer issue for a while. That is behind us now so I'll endeavour to complete the story in the not too distant future.
I would also like to let you all in on some of the features of the trip and the effort that went into it by the organisers and the participants.
Collectively we travelled around 800,000 kms, used 2500 room nights of accomodation, ate 7500 meals (and countless snacks), had 1 puncture, 1 broken leg from a really low speed fall (walking pace, hope your well on the mend Tony). Upon arrival at Thredbo we were greeted by a small number of family and friends and enjoyed an intimate BBQ and few drinks. We were also informed that we raised about $330,000, Snowy Hydro tipped in for $100,000 and when married to the regular Snowy ride takings, although final tally would take a while, we were in the $750,000 ball park. Not quite the 1 million hoped for but a bloody fine total none the less. I really hope it makes a difference to those most in need of our support.
I would like to thank everyone who supported us in raising the funds to participate. I also would like to thank those at the Steven Walter Foundation responsible for getting the whole thing off of the ground. And finally I have to say thanks to all of the participants, I have 68 or so new friends that will be near and dear to me for a very long time. You made a special effort to make Aaron feel welcome even though he was only a kid. All your kind words have made an impact on me and I'm sure in time that it will form a very special memory for Aaron. You are a very special bunch of people,Thanks. It was an amazing journey of discovery of both this great country and indeed myself.
A special mention is required to thank my lovely wife, who stayed home with with our other child, allowed Aaron and I on the expidition of a lifetime and gives me the freedom to be ME.
Finally, some have questioned me when I say it was a journey or expedition. In response all I can say is, think of everything you need for 43 days on the road (cloths, shoes, wet weather gear, tools, cameras, spares, you know the stuff), now fit it all into a bag about the size of one of those green shopping enviro bags (it's amazing how you can multi task items of clothing). Now you're packed, jump on your motorbike, get a map and head north to areas you basically know nothing about. Now YOU are on a journey of adventure and expedition. ENJOY, and believe me, you will.
LIVE LIFE, LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY AND REGRET NOTHING........
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Hi everyone, we are now past the halfway mark in our trip and we have been told that the combined total for donations has reached $250,000. While this is a lot of money, it is below the expected total at this time. So I would again ask if you haven't yet donated, please click on the blue link to the right and give what you can afford. A tax deductable receipt will immediatly be emailed directly to you for donations over $2.
Please be generous and remember, it is all about the kids.
Thanks everyone,
Have you ever had one of those days when you feel it would have been better just to stay in bed . Well today is turning into one of those days. We are currently sitting in the driveway of Future Sport Motorcycles in Townsville. The Bird has decided that she just dont like the heat and wont cool. Our best guess so far is that it could be an airlock in the cooling system(unlikely after 3500km's) or maybe a bung thermostat. Anyway, knowing our situation the gang at Future Sport Motorcycles have lept to our rescue, dropped everything and are currently trying to resolve the problem. I don't think you would find a more helpful team of people anywhere up the coast.
Got back on the road around 11:00 without any problem being found. At least the Bird again has new coolant and had a quick once over. Thanks again to Beck and Damien at Future Sport Motorcycles, if nothing else you've eliminated some of the possible causes. We continued on to Richmond without incident.
Just a quick note...
At the dinner on the 3rd of October we were all informed that the total of everyones fundraising efforts so far has broken through the $200,000 barrier.
While this is ahead of early expectations we are still a long way from the 1 million dollar goal so please, be part of the solution, jump online and donate those very important few dollars. Then tell all your family, friends and even your enemies. Together we will find a cure.
Well boys and girls, THIS IS IT. Just 1 sleep to go and we're off.
So from Monday you will need to goto the Our Journey section above to see the regular updates.
While I'm here I would like to take a moment to thank some of the sponsors and urge you all to make use of their expertise, services or product as required. I have.
Simon and Brigid from PRD Realestate. Brad from Powers Insulation and Plumbing. Rod & Donna from Loam and Stone. The Magpies Junior Rugby League Club. the Wagga RSL. The gang at The Palm and Pawn Tavern. Doug Hogan, the crew at Prime TV and Pottsy and Leighton at Star FM, you guys rock, your assistance has been priceless.
Last but certainly not least, Mick, Lloyd and the team at Wagga Motorcycles. Not only did they fit a major service, chain and sprockets and tyres into an already busy week but they treated the Bird as if it were their own pride and joy. Top job guys. Thanks a bundle.
Thats is for now
Marty.........................
Hi everyone, there was a story in the Daily Telegraph today (22.9.10) I wont put it all here (you can read the whole story at dailytelegraph.com.au) but I believe it shows why this ride must be a success.
I would like to introduce you all to Miss Olivia Wall, Olivia is currently six years old and is one of the many kids being treated for cancer and benefiting from the research undertaken at the Sydney Childrens Hospital.
Olivia is an ardent Zac Efron fan and as amazing as it was that Zac Efron called in to see her and others in the hospital, he couldn't hold a candle to the great news that her cancer is in remission. Just take a moment and try to imagine what this would mean to her and her family.
It is news like this that I would want my child to hear from the doctors if they were sick, and with your help it will one day become a reality. Please be generous and donate whatever you can afford, every dollar counts and god knows the kids are worth it.
Another piece of news is that Aaron and I have decided to step it up a little and leave a couple of days early Monday the 27th instead of thursday the 30th. It will allow Aaron to ease into long distance riding.
Thats it for now see you all back here soon.
Marty................
Hi everyone, Just want to let you all know about the fantastic bike that is being raffled by the Snowy Ride this year.
As has been the case previously, HONDA Australia has graciously donated a CBR1000RR for the prize and this year it is covered in special HRC livery. You will see a picture of this bike in the slideshow above. If you, like me, would love to park this dreamy machine in your loungeroom you can contact the people at the Snowy Ride on 02 9542 5885 and order your tickets over the phone.
Good luck to you all...............
PS. I spoke to Mrs Sue Walters today (14/09/10) and was informed that the sponsorship tally is still growing but at the end of August the total was a touch over $105000.00
There is also a picture of 2 of the support vehicles donated by Hyundai Australia
Monday 6th September. Wow, time goes so fast. Just 23 days to go.
We had a wet weekend but it saw a minor flood of donations(no pun intended).
We gratefully received substantial donations from Wagga Magpies Junior Rugby League Club, the Wagga RSL Club, Loam and Stone Landscaping and Hartwigs Trucks. We were also approached by a number of individuals eager to know how we are going with regard to preparation for the trip and how close we are to our donation target. To be honest time is really slipping by at a great rate of knots and as we tick one job off of the list we seem to find another to replace it. With regard to the donation target, well it has been quite slow until recently. Many people have thought the cause worthy and from those few that have donated there have been mixed messages. I would like to address those concerns now. Firstly, let me assure you all that no donation is too small. Secondly, EVERY cent donated goes to the charity. None of the money raised goes to offset my costs and if you are still not convinced, if you donate online, the money is passed through Every Day Hero. They are like the Paypal of charity work.
Now that we are so close to leaving I would ask everyone who can donate please do so. If every house in Wagga gave just $10 think of the difference it would make. We could show the rest of the country that the Riverina is not just the food bowl of Australia but the heart of the country as well.
Our donations are made up of Offline, online and unreceipted cash and have reached almost $2500 It was thought to be a bit more but I counted some eggs before they hatched.
We'll sign off for now but invite everyone to be part of the solution.
Remember every dollar counts.
Thanks Marty and Aaron..............
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G'day everyone, it's real early on the 3rd of August but I cant sleep. I can't stop thinking about a chance meeting I had yesterday.
I was in the Marketplace in Wagga Wagga delivering some flyers when a little girl (I'm sorry, I cant remember her name) came up to me with her mother. Using her best manners she tapped me on the leg and said "Excuse me" and I said "Yeah sweety whats up" she then took hold of my hand and as she placed a $1 coin in it, looked me straight in the eye and she said "If I give you my money can you make Nelly better please cause she's sick?". I said to her "How about I take your money to the good doctors and tell them about Nelly so they can make her all better". After she agreed with me that that would be alright I asked her how old she was and with a proud smile she held up her hand showing me all four fingers and her thumb and said "Nearly four". I figured that was close enough.
I shook her hand, thanked her and told her that I'm sure her money would make all the difference.
I do hope I get to meet her again to find out who Nelly is and if she got better.
How good would it be if every time we told a sick child that it will be alright that it always came true?
Marty...........
Further to the above story.
I received an email the other day that answered some questions. The little girls name is Sarah and Nelly has been the family dog for many years. They all live on the Central Coast of NSW. Unfortunately for Sarah, Nelly never got better and passed away a short time after her visit to Wagga Wagga. On the upside, her mum explained that Sarah got a new puppy for her "fourth" birthday.
