Alan Gandy

Here it is, the moment anyone who knows what this is about has been looking forward to, or dreading!

The story is that when I undertook the walk our friend Kirsty offered to double the donation from her and her partner Nik, on the condition that I provided them with a photograph of myself in a ‘mankini’. This has subsequently grown to my offering to post it publicly should donations via the Just Giving site reach a specific level. They now have! So here it is. Click on ‘read the rest’ if you’re brave enough to want to see it – if you’d really rather not click here. Read the rest of this entry »

Some of the used to be wild, some of them used to be pets, and some of them used to be someone’s family… Read the rest of this entry »

Courtesy of Phil, we have acquired – for the forthcoming charity auction at Wax Bar – an unused official 2012 Budweiser FA Cup football. Phil tells us that there’s one on ebay currently selling for £75. We’re hoping for bids in that ‘ball park’ (pardon the pun) or hopefully more…

Want it?

Here’s what you have to do;

Either come to the auction on May 10th a place your bids – click here for details of the event and to see what else is on offer.

…or, just below, you can place a bid via this email form – we’ll place the highest bid (undisclosed) in a sealed envelope on the night and the people who are at Wax bar will be bidding blind against the sealed bid.

The ball is currently in the UK (along with some other goodies Phil has organised for us), and he will mail it to whoever wins whether that is in the UK or here in Lanzarote after the auction.

All proceeds from the event will go to the two charities I supported with the walk Niños del Tercer Mundo and the Rose Road Association. It also never to late to donate via the Just Giving page if you haven’t already.

Just a short post as I settle back into everyday life! I’m back having finished the walk and feeling in great shape. Plenty to write about my experiences – but I’ll save that for later and instead, for now, sit back, watch some rubbish on TV and put my feet up! Business as usual tomorrow and I’m back to work.

In summary, I’m probably feeling fitter than I have for years thanks to the fantastic training provided by Mitch. The boy really knows his stuff! Instead of getting drained as the walk went on, instead, I actually felt like I was getting stronger each day!  And, thanks to a fantastic pair of Berghaus boots combined with ‘1000 mile socks‘ not one blister or any issue with my feet for the whole journey!

But, right now, I want to get my thanks in to everyone involved, especially the ‘team’ that helped me most…

Elle: Who put her ‘Mel the Secretary’ head on, organised my travel and accommodation for me en route. Her constant unwavering support and encouragement spurred me on throughout. She kept the business running, and, lets not forget the fact that she ‘allows’ me to go off and do these crazy things in the first place. I do love you, you crazy bitch!

Mitch ‘the man’ Mitchell: So much to thank Mitch for; his encouragement, faith in me doing this, and his expertise and guidance really made this far easier than it might have. Mitch is a true professional and all round nice guy if you’re thinking of taking on some form of challenge, or even just want to improve your general fitness – Mitch is your man!

Irma from Yaiza te Informa: Who has been a huge help, and generating a huge amount of coverage in the Spanish media. Her enthusiasm for the whole project has really mean a lot to me.

Thanks for the practical support from,

Axia FX: Who covered the costs of my kit and contributed financially towards the day-to-day expenses.

ARMAS: The canary island ferry company who kindly provided my ferry travel between the islands.

Balan Sports: The lovely Jo and Lou gave me some top top notch t-shirts for the trip. Girls: They were fantastic the material was perfect for the job!

The people I met who helped me out on the way; Our friend Ray who ferried me around Lanzarote, Claudio, Annie, Sheila, Stephen and Cathy – and Oscar for providing me with some doggy company, and a very special local guy from El Hierro, Carlos, who will probably never know just how much he made my last day really quite special!

Thanks to everyone who’s donated, thanks to family and friends for all their support throughout, and thanks to Wax for staging the upcoming charity auction which will help boost the funds even further, and the local businesses who have contributed stuff to sell! Please forgive me if I’ve forgotten anyone!

Right, before anyone thinks I’m trying to imitate Gwyneth Paltrow accepting an Oscar – I’m off to kick back and put my feet up!

The fund raising isn’t over yet…

You can still make a donation on the Just Giving website

You can support the auction at Wax

…and you can help pass this around and make me look an idiot in the process!

Last year when I did the Lanzarote walk, our friend Kirsty (I’m not sure her partner Nik would like being named in this) said she’d double their donation if I provided a picture of myself in a Borat style mankini whilst on the walk. Of course I was never going to do it – how embarrassing would that be!?

However, before I even announced that I was going to walk the seven islands, this year, I’d hit eBay and bought one, guessing that she may make the same offer again. My guess was right. Not often one to back down from a challenge, I thought “to hell with it – I’m up for it”.

So, Kirsty now has the rather, fetching I think, picture! Don’t try and persuade her to release it – she has sworn to keep it under wraps and only her and Nik (and Elle of course) have seen it. And Kirsty was as good as her word, and today doubled her donation.

Here’s the deal – I’ll post the photo openly on Facebook IF the total on the Just Giving website hits £2500 (excluding “gift aid plus supplement”) by the end of the Wax Bar charity auction on the 10th of May. Can’t say I am especially enthusiastic about the world seeing me in a lime green mankini  – but what the hell, this whole thing is about making money for the charities! If it doesn’t reach the target – the picture will never see the light of day…

…and here’s what I need you all to do – if you haven’t donated already please take a moment out and drop a couple of quid onto the Just Giving page and. Whether you have or haven’t donated, please spread the word about what I’ve done… and encourage, bully, and twist the arms of your friends and family to make a contribution! Tweet, share on Facebook, post on forums, and of course you can support the auction itself – do what you have to do!

I don’t mind looking a pratt – though of course my dignity has a price! Up to you guys to make it happen!

Alan reached Playa Blanca at 8:40pm yesterday as planned… and a number of friends and family were there to greet him, as well as the people from Canarias TV. We’ll post a link to the interview once they add it to their website. Read the rest of this entry »

As we speak… Alan is sat in the Temple Bar in Corralejo, with a well deserved beer in his paws… killing time before the 8pm Armas ferry back home to Playa Blanca. Apparently he has just tucked into a roast dinner, courtesy of John and Colin. Just as well I’m able to refrigerate the dinner I’d planned eh?! Moles Mariniere starter, and cebon steak main course for tomorrow it is. If you can get down to join us in meeting him off the boat… it gets in at 8:40pm – and then we’ll be nipping into Popeye’s Bar for a quick drinkie too. Read the rest of this entry »

Here is a recap of Alan’s Day Twenty Two of his Siete Islas Charity Walk. It is the final part of the entire walk.

If you would like a more “as it happens” update… then go to his Facebook page HERE and click “like”

Read the rest of this entry »

Here is a recap of Alan’s Day Twenty One of his Siete Islas Charity Walk.

If you would like a more “as it happens” update… then go to his Facebook page HERE and click “like”.

Read the rest of this entry »

Here is a recap of Alan’s Day Twenty of his Siete Islas Charity Walk. It is the second and final part of the La Palma section.

If you would like a more “as it happens” update… then go to his Facebook page HERE and click “like”.

Read the rest of this entry »