UP AND AWAY

by Kate on October 5, 2009

Title: Dakar

Dates: 15th October GPS:

Distance: 0km Total Distance: 0km

Roads: Busy

Weather: warm, humid

This diary entry was written at an altitude of 38,000 feet. After a final frantic week of preparations and saying goodbyes, Paddy and I somehow made it to the airport with about 200kg of equipment divided into 18 pieces of baggage – including three bikes which had only arrived at 4pm the day before! We’re excited and I am very pleased to have pulled everything together. Organising Breaking the Cycle has been the most complex and difficult project I have ever managed. Researching and designing the concept, route and storyline, this project has been four years in the planning, with 18 months of  “full-on” organisation (while keeping a full time job).

I’ve only just managed to pull together the “bare bones” $200K  budget thanks to the support of 30 sponsors and many private contributors. We have the backing of a number of partner organisations who are allowing us to explore the issues associated with extreme poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa to a meaningful depth. I encourage you to support these organisations (see Partners’ section of this website).

The Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development have done an amazing job creating this innovative e-learning education programme, customised and practical for the BTC project. It’s now ready to go and I hope schools throughout Australia and beyond will get involved. The platform is there for teachers around the world to communicate their ideas and share resources so reinforce what is being learned.

While I have been driving BTC so many other have embraced the project; many have contributed big time and their belief has really spurred me on. Robert Swan has not only been responsible for connecting me to many of the major sponsors, but has also been working tirelessly with Tamara, my publicist to give a number of motivational lectures to raise funds.

The logistics for creating the documentary are complex. Paddy has done an incredible job researching and sourcing all the AV and storage equipment to ensure we can capture quality material to make a great documentary series.

And lastly I know I have a great team…Daniel (cyclist), John (driver) and Paddy (cameraman). We all have different strengths, skills and experience to contribute, but we all have a common goal. John has been involved since last November, Daniel since April and Paddy came on board in the last three months. When we touch down in a few hours, we’ll meet Dan for the first time. John we will meet next week. And so the adventure begins! We are so excited.

{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

Greg Yeoman October 6, 2009 at 11:27 pm

Kate
You’ve done another stirling job putting all this together. Fantastic effort. I don’t need to wish you luck, as I know you will have planned it all meticulously; strong legs and a focused mind will get you and the team through all the adventures and situations that lie ahead. It was bears in Russia and crocodiles in Australia – now you have to look out for the nasty little mosquitoes that could cause problems in Africa. Keep at it and I will be following your progress carefully over the months ahead.
Greg x

Dave Cook October 7, 2009 at 3:28 pm

Well done Kate!

All the best as you countdown to the start date in West Africa. Plan International in Australia is very proud of you and we’ll do all we can to help you as your make your way through Africa and visit some of the communities that we support.

Dave

Simone Hewett October 12, 2009 at 5:39 pm

Hi Kate
Just wanted to wish you all the best in your biggest adventure yet! I’m sure you’ll be more than capable of meeting any challenges, with your finely honed physique and mental toughness! We’ll be following your progress with great interest.
Simone, Stewart, Alasdair & Sine

Kevin Young October 13, 2009 at 7:49 am

Kate
All the crew at Nando’s wish you a great adventure. We will be following your trip with great interest and look forward to the regular updates. I am certain everything has been organised but if there is anything further we can do at Nando’s let us know!
Kevin at Nando’s in Melbourne

lola November 28, 2009 at 9:04 pm

this is a wonderful thing you are doing. i wish i could do something like that but im only years old. i hope you are achiving it all or as much as possilbe. well bye bye.

lola November 28, 2009 at 9:05 pm

hello kate
this is a wonderful thing you are doing. i wish i could do something like that but im only years old. i hope you are achiving it all or as much as possilbe. well bye bye.

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