2013 - here we go

The start of 2013 has already moved and inspired me...several times... and we are only on day one.  Maybe it is the Central Otago Pinot kicking in as I head to Sydney.  Or maybe I finally have time to stop and give thanks for all my dear old friends, some new friends, my colleagues, and some strangers that have given so much support in getting me this far.
Thank you to all of you that have supported me in raising $10,000 to go on this ride. Thank you to those of you that have reached into your pockets and donated, to those who have watched me sweat, given advice,  to those who have listened and to those who have believed and trusted that I could do this. 
 I have read all I can, I have trained more than I have for years, I have cried, laughed, been humbled, astonished, provoked and ultimately am so grateful for what I am about to undertake.  The exciting thing is that I have NO IDEA what that will be, what is in store.  I will, however, do my utmost to report and recount the ride of my life.
I owe that to everyone who has me sitting here right now, thankful to be able to make a difference. You know who you are.   THANK YOU!
Now for one last glass of Pinot.....

Reality is sinking in!

The Yasathon orphanage that we will visit at the end of my ride

Here is an excerpt from the Hands Across The Water website about the Yasathon home that we will ride into at the end of my ride.  I think the last 3 months has been so full on for me that the reality of what I am about to do finally is sinking in.

Fundraising has been much harder than I imagined and I have the physical tests of the ride to come.  I think all of that will pale into insignificance when the reality of the difference that we are making will finally hit home. 

Yasothon Region

In March 2010 Hands decided to expand their reach and support a new orphanage in the Yasothon region called Suthasinee Noiin Foundation (SNF).  The SNF is a home for 115 children who have been affected by HIV.  The children who live there are either HIV positive or their parents have HIV and have passed away.
SNF is located 530km north of Bangkok.

I found this video very moving

$750,000 for the new home for young girls

New post from our intrepid leader, Peter Baines of Hands Across the Water:

 

It's less than a week now till the first group of Hands riders fly out of Australia to commence the first of our two 800km bike rides in Thailand, to support the kids who are part of the Hands family. When the ride was launched in April of this year we set a target of $750,000. It's incredibly pleasing to advise that we have now past that target with money still yet to be banked.

The rides which will take place in a couple of weeks time will offer an amazing experience for each of the riders and their families and friends who will be at the end of the ride to welcome them in. But of greater importance it will allow us to change the lives of a group of kids. The money that has been raised is the exact budget that has been allocated for the purchase of land and the building of a home for young girls who currently live in circumstances of forced labour or child prostitution.

To each of the riders, I look forward to sharing an amazing journey with you and each of the family and supporters who have donated, a massive THANK YOU from me and everyone at Hands to you. 

 

Donations can still be made should you so feel inclined via https://www.bpoint.com.au/epages/handsacrosswater.sf/?BillerCode=2015925&Ref1=Nickie%20RaceJones

 

To see the story on Facebook and 5 photos

Connecting with the Thai kids already

Our  kids Hannah, Tom and Dom have sponsored 3 children for Christmas from the Baan Tharn Namchai Orphanage and they are very excited to have a personal connection to these lovely Thai kids who are 10, 12 and 15. 
We received lovely bios about them, their hopes and dreams, their smiles and sense of fun.  What shines through about these kids is their determination and persistence to achieve goals,  and their willingness to help with the younger children and babies in their community. 

My kids are now busy writing little letters to them with photos that I hope to deliver when I go there. 
It is a Christmas present that they will remember for the rest of 2013 and beyond and has really made them start to think about how lucky we are in NZ, especially in the heady days of Boxing day sales.
We hope the contribution will make a difference to these children, and I think it will make a big difference to ours!

All we want for Xmas!

For Christmas this year, our family is sponsoring 3 children from the orphanage that we will ride into in January so I hope I get to meet them.  Our children will get updates throughout the year and follow their progress.  Was very excited yesterday when profiles and photos of gorgeous 8,10 and 13 year old Thai children landed in my inbox. 
What really strikes me with these kids is that they dream big and they are so determined to make something of their lives, despite the start they have had. 
What an inspiration!

14 days to go until the ride of my life!

Only 14 days to go until the ride of my life!
I have been training for only about 4 months for an 800km ride in 8 days with Hands Across the Water charity, who help free the beautiful children of Thailand from the horrors of trafficking and prostitution.
100kms cycling a day - mmmm
Just setting up this blog to share my experiences and I think it will be life-changing, particularly riding into the orphanage on the last day to meet with the kids themselves.