Prince Harry has been in the news recently putting his soldiering skills to good use as part of a rebuilding project in Lesotho onbehalf of the charity Sentebale that he established. Sentebale is one of the three charities that the Enduro Africa - Ride for Life is supporting in 2008.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/theroyalfamily/2269323/Prince-Harry-digs-ditches-and-plays-football-in-Lesotho.html

Curry Night a Huge Success

The provisional figure for funds raised from Friday nights curry night at Mariners Park is £2000. Over 100 friends, colleagues, family and residents of MPE joined with me at the event and much fun was had. The auction itself raised over £600 with prizes having been donated by numerous friends of Nautilus UK and MPE.

AIMPE pledge paid up!

President of the Institute of Marine and Power Engineers in Australia Terry Snee passes over a cheque to yours truly for £500 being the pledge Terry made on behalf of his Union made to the Ride for Life back in 2006. My appreciation to Terry and Martin Byrne and all my friends at the Institute.

Fundraising Update

My thanks to Ian Ramsey-Lewis of Northern Marine, Captain Philip Day, of the Northern Lighthouse Board and Norman Quayle for their generous donations. I am now very close to £17,000 with 3 months to go before I set off for Port Elizabeth to begin my journey to Durban along South Africa's "Wild Coast".

Charity Evening Update

Arrangement are in full swing for my Charity Fundraiser at Mariners Park in Wallasey where my union has its northern office. Over 100 family, friends, colleagues and residents are turning out to enjoy a Ruby Murray, and some vino courtesy of OSM, on Friday under a "big top".

There will be entertainment laid on, a raffle, stand up-sit down bingo (!) and an auction which includes a signed Everton football shirt and picture, a signed Liverpool football, a mini-hi-fi and much more. My thanks go to all those who have helped make this possible and of course to everyone who has donated prizes for the raffle and the auction.

Tick - done that!

Although aboslutely nothing at all to do with my Enduro Africa charity fundraising I did my own bit for charity recently by taking part in a sidecar taxi ride at Croix En Ternois in France early in the month. At the same time I fullfilled a lifelong ambition to follow my dad and uncle into the "chair". It was a terrifying experience but exilarating at the same time and one I plan to repeat if I get the opportunity again.

Fundraising Curry Night at Mariners Park

On Friday 27 June 2008 I am hosting a charity fundraising event at Mariners Park in aid of my Enduro Africa charity motorcycle ride in South Africa in October 2008. The money raised will go towards my target of raising £20,000 for charitable causes including NUMAST Welfare Funds. You are all cordially invited to attend (see below for details of how to get tickets) or if would like to donate any prizes for the raffle or auction then please let me know.

The evening will consist of a curry buffet and entertainment plus a raffle, auction and other fundraising (and fun) activities. Tickets will cost £12.50, which includes a donation to the charities, and are available on a first come first served basis from Jackie Wylde in the Wallasey Office (Jwylde@nautilusuk.org). The evening will start at 1930 hours and end at 2300 hours. The drinks will be on a BYO basis but I am also hoping to pick up a few cases of cheap plonk on a planned trip to France in early June so I might also be able to donate a couple of bottles for each table.

Nautilus UK members who live within a 25 mile radius of Nautilus House have also been invited to attend and with assistance from the Industrial Teams I am hoping that there will also be a good turnout from local shipping companies. I am therefore hoping that the evening will also offer an opportunity for company representatives to visit Mariners Park and see what an excellent job the Union does for needy seafarers and their dependents.