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Well I realised easy enough that I needed to set the challenge part.  I wish someone had told me sooner about the struggle bit though.

Since 2009 whilst there have been huge positives, the bit we choose to focus on, there have been a number of tremendous struggles.  Not least real illness, lost miles and the need to make choices that kept us going one step at a time.

We’ve definitely been through the ‘years of struggle’.  I’m not sure they are even over yet.  This is the biggest challenge myself and Kirst have ever faced (by far).  As I have said many times before this is our “Everest on our doorstep”.

Why am I writing this post today?

Kirst is travelling to London today to celebrate being nominated for a prestigious national award for her day job.  I am incredibly proud of her given the extreme pain she has suffered and the struggles we have faced together recently.  With a bit of luck she will win but we are happy with just being nominated.  She is the real hero of this part of the story not me.  Without her I would not have continued many, many times.  She has been the one even in the midst of her own pain that has said “where is the adventure”; “it’s too late to turn back now” (that’s the clean version) and many more motivating comments.

Whilst I am on the subject of the most important comments ever said to me another was by Kevin McIntyre our charitable partner at MPAC.  He said “I realise the sacrifices you and Kirst have made to make this happen”.  I definitely know you understand my feelings on a delayed train journey Kevin.  Thank you, your comments keep us both going.

Wondering what has happened to the 153 Mile Challenge in 2011?

In 2011 we licenced the format to a number of other organisation.  We didn’t do any direct challenges.  One of the licenced events was with Dukes Theatre, Lancaster and there Creative Learning Director Guy Christiansen.  Guy said the following about our input:

“The 153 challenge is a brilliant, simple and accessible idea which we wanted to adopt for a youth based project up in the Lancaster area. As a co-producer for the Cultural Olympiad Programme for Lancashire on the lead up to 2012 I was looking for a large scale project which would unite ideas of art and sport with a personal challenge and the 153 concept seemed appropriate.

The 153 challenge enables people to achieve their own personal bests whilst being a part of something larger than themselves.  This offers a certain kudos and status to people’s individual challenges. The online support and activity packs also enable individuals and groups to reach a far greater range of people and create an interactive blog/diary of their experiences.

Our version of the 153 Mile Challenge which we developed with Tyrer Sorrel was called ‘The 360 degree challenge’.  It came about through a formal partnership between Dukes Theatre, LCC Young Peoples Service and Blaze – Cultural Olympiad Programme. The three partners invested cash and in-kind donations to the tune of £30K which enabled the programme to have a direct contact with nearly 400 young people across the Lancashire County and indirect contact to over 8000 young people and community members through the facebook and web based interfaces. The project supported 16 young cyclists who completed 218 miles of cycling”

Find out more at the http://yps.lancashire.gov.uk/360-challenge

When you visit the site you will see the influence of ‘The 153 Mile Challenge’ immediately.  We can do the same for you.  Contact us now and we will help you set up your own personal or organisational challenges.  It all adds to our challenge of generating “£20 million for 20 charities over 20 years”.  We are happy to share and inspire.  It can be “one of the most worthwhile experiences you will ever have”.

“From our first meeting at Crumpets Cafe, Earlestown (a fine cup of tea) to our debut ride on Sunday we’ve gone through stolen bikes, a thousand decisions on replacements, birthday gloves and choobs, the best cakes in the world, red rings of death, burnley bs, going US postal, 0845 numbers, Windle and roadside brews the trip has been one of the most worthwhile experiences I’ve ever had. After working for 10 years in an office as a drone for the man it’s been the wind in my sails I needed to get out there and do something amazing, not only as a brilliant way to raise money but also to kick start a totally different way of life. Combining music and miles is the genius of Mr B and as we wound our way around Merseyside on Sunday we all felt a huge sense of achievement, a great sense of team spirit and a massive relief to reach our destination 48 miles later. My thanks to Mark B for everything over the last few months and for everything that’s to come, to everyone who took part from my sister Julie and Billy the dog for our send off, Dave for his thought provoking speech at the launch, grumpy Dickie, our tour guide Tom, Verena the engine, Jo at the Griffin and finally to Chi for coming in and adding a superb musical ending to the event. The photos are great and there’ll be a video soon. Next time will be even better. As the song says, “Ain’t no mountain high enough!””

Read all the posts for this event at: http://silentfullback.wordpress.com/category/153-mile-challenge/music-miles/

Visit the event site at: http://music.tsconnected.com

Watch ‘Music and Miles’ Videos

Check out Chi Limpiroj on YouTube:

Find out more about Chi Limpiroj

Visit Chi Limpiroj at: http://www.myspace.com/chimusic07

Read about ‘Music and Miles’ in the News

We have been featured in the Ipadio Newsletter.  Out of the thousands and thousands of phlogs they receive daily we have been a featured event or Top Phlog twice now.  Read the newsletter at: Ipadio Newsletter (15th November 2010

View ‘Music and Miles’ Photos

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=250049&id=43695434798

Listen to the ‘Music and Miles’ Event Phlogs 

http://www.ipadio.com/phlogs/MarkBryce/

 
Want to Organise Your Own Event?

Please click the following link and complete the Registration Form.

https://www.tyrersorrel.co.uk/mailform/plusten153mile_register.htm

We will contact you to discuss your event ideas.

 
Finally Please Show Your Support, Every Person Helps

If you liked this event please help us by clicking ‘Sponsor Now’:

By sponsoring ’Music and Miles’ from just £6 you will be helping raise money for charity and help us stage similar events in the future.  Please show your support and click ‘Sponsor Now’ or visit http://music.tsconnected.com.

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