57 days to go...

James

May 27 |11:17

Last Updated on Thu, 27 May 2010 13:19

57 days to go...

When we first booked our place on the rally, the countdown timer showed 328 days. That's basically a year - a year to get a car, do a few things to it, relax and patiently wait till we get to go on our trans-continental trip. Ha! How very wrong we were. But it's not until we reached the 57 days to go countdown, that the scope of what we're doing, have done and still have to do, has finally hit us.

We've got our car (with thanks to Tresco Estate), and the super engineer Nick Shiles has done some amazing things with it. We've got a sump guard, protected the brake lines, 6 new wheels, replaced the air filter/fuel filter/fuel pump/clutch cable/alternator belt, fitted a new roofbox (with thanks to Mont Blanc) and basically given the car a fighting chance of reaching Mongolia. The boot is also nicely (aka very) full of spare parts and bits, and our new CD player has been installed.

We've also got some sponsors - those fantastic people at British International Helicopters, Isles of Scilly Steamship Company, Delve & Nankervis, Skinners Brewery, Lea & Sanderman, WPS Insurance and Petty Wood have all chipped in to help us take part in the Mongol Rally 2010.

But, we're still looking for more. Might your company be interested in helping? We have a number of advertising packages in exchange for your sponsorship and support - click here to read more!

We've had an article in the Western Morning News, and BBC Spotlight are coming over to the island to do a prelaunch piece on us for the local news. 'Inside Out', a prime time BBC1 program, have also expressed an interest to do a considerable piece on us on our triumphant return to the UK (using our video footage from the preparation and the rally).

Our visas are still being processed by the magical Visa Machine, curteosy of The Adventurists. We know we're good to visit Kyrgyzstan, but still awaiting updates on the others. We're still on the lookout for a nice supplier to help us with tents and sleeping bags, but the hunt continues. We've got a host of events coming up on the island of Tresco, including: The Tresco Triathlon, Tresco Pool Tournament 2010, Pub Quiz pt II, Tresco Raft Race & Wine Tasting Evening!

Branching away from traditional fundraising events, we are also holding a Scilly Art Exhibition - a showcase of work from artists in the Isles of Scilly, held at the New Inn on Tresco. These pieces of work will be available to buy, with 50% of the proceeds going to the Scilly Mission! Brainchild of Jane Ash, sister of Will, and Jo Ash. This will no doubt prove to be a fantastic event, and full photos of all artwork will be available soon!

Please, if you are able to donate a couple of pounds, please use the handy donation from on the right hand side - we take paypal, and every penny collected will be going to the charities. Have a look at the kind folk who have already donated!

If you or your company might be interested in an advertising package, for video blog exposure and car stickers to be seen by many thousands of people, please do get in touch.

We aim to have our next video up in the next few days, with a tour of the car (presented by Will Ash). There is still so much to do - but thanks to Jo Ash, the "mother of the rally", we might actually get in gear and start to progress!