Alan Gandy

Author Archive

February 2011

People who read this site regularly will likely be aware of the walk I did from the north to the south of the island. From which I managed to raise a total of £1305.67 (including gift aid) via the Just Giving website, which has since been distributed to Niños del Tercer Mundo and the Rose Road Centre and is now being put to good use in support of both of their great works!

The first question I was asked after completing that walk was what next. At that time I hadn’t even thought about what next, I wasn’t even sure there would be a next time as the walk was just something I had wanted to do for my own reasons. Also at the time I got an email from our friend Geoff Holt who – to paraphrase – said to me “I bet you’ve got the bug now haven’t you”? It seems he was right. Raising the money for these extremely fantastic causes was perhaps one of the most satisfying things I have ever done.

Now I have a new plan. I’m not saying what exactly just yet for a several reasons – clearly I have to top what I did last time… Read the rest of this entry »

It's a stone you moron!

You’re with me when I sleep, you’re with me when I wake;
You’re with me in the daytime, and with me in the dark;
With me in the fields and with me in the park.

Not a care for what I say, and not a care for what I do;
You’d be still beside me, if I was a total twat.

Why the fcuk – would anyone want a bloody cat!

Finally it seems that the world’s most wanted man has got what’s been coming to him!

Sadly though, it’s far from an end to his brand of terrorism. In fact, if many in the press are to be believed there’s every likelihood that al-Qaeda may well pick up the pace of their activities in revenge.

Nevertheless, hats off to those who have finally achieved some justice for the thousands of innocent victims of Osama Bin Laden around the world.

Good riddance to one of the world’s most despicable and hateful men?

Is Gaddafi next? I certainly hope so…

The question I have been asked most since I completed the north to south walk in February is… What next?

The answer so far is that “I haven’t really thought about it”. Which isn’t strictly speaking true. The fact is, that despite the discomfort at the time it was one of the things on my mind. I didn’t then, and still haven’t come to any conclusions, but I have no doubt there will be a follow up at some time – exactly what I’m not sure yet – I’m currently mulling it over.

A couple of people have suggested I do the same in Fuerteventura (which is somewhat longer than Lanzarote), but I feel I’ve done the walking thing now and if I’m going to do something I fancy doing something different, and maybe more ambitious. I really don’t know what to do yet though.

I do have a couple of (frankly, vague so far) ideas – but I’m open to other suggestions. I’m looking for ideas for a new challenge if you have any? Read the rest of this entry »

The Just Giving page set up for the recent walk I did to raise money for, I happy to say, has topped at out just over £1300 for the two very deserving charities – Niños del Tercer Mundo and The Rose Road Centre.

I’m very proud to be associated with both of these charities and also planning on helping them both more in the future whenever I am able. Read the rest of this entry »

So it’s the Monday after the weekend before and I’m feeling so much better than I expected I would after walking the 70 plus kilometres from Orzola to the lighthouse at Playa Blanca. The blisters  healing quickly and hardly a twinge from my legs and back.

Just before setting off

As I’ve written before, the walk is something I’ve had in mind for some time. And I have to say, despite the blistered feet and inevitable aching legs I really, really enjoyed the experience. I wanted to take some time out, clear my head.

It was hard work to do – but incredibly rewarding. It’s given some perspective to life here, and highlighted to me some of the good (and bad) things. I’m not turning into a hippy or anything – so don’t worry I’ve not come out of it a changed man – it just adds some clarity.

Starting early and getting ready about 4am, I was carrying my stuff downstairs and nearly took a tumble missing a step on the corner where our staircase turns. I didn’t know if I should read it as a sign – was it a sign? Was it telling me I shouldn’t do this? Or was it that the very fact I had failed to tumble down the stairs a sign that I was meant to do it? Actually, as I’m not one for signs, I ignored it as such – the only thought that went through my head was “Sh*t, that was lucky, how would it look to everyone if I’d cried off with a twisted ankle or broken leg before I even start”! Read the rest of this entry »

I asked Neil at Rose Road to give a little more information ‘from the horses mouth’, so to speak, about how the money raised through their fundraising are put to good use. I got this extremely nice message of support this morning… Thanks Neil – it’s an honour to be able to help you out in my own small way!

Hi everyone, I’m Neil Wilson the Fundraising Director at Rose Road and can I thank everyone who has supported Alan’s charity walk so far, it really does mean a lot to the children and families who we work with. We have been supporting children with the most complex disabilities for almost 60 years but 2011 is proving particularly difficult as it is for many people. The cuts to budgets are now being felt in the UK and we are doing all we can to protect frontline services even as our fundraising income comes under strain.

The money you donate will help fund respite and care in the community, services which are of vital importance if you have a son or daughter who may be blind and deaf, who may be autistic or epileptic, or have neurological problems linked to digestion and movement. Our children are very special and we aim to ensure they are able to fulfil their potential in life, and offer help for parents and families when challenges arise. Please support Alan’s walk and thank you once again for your generosity.

Neil Wilson

Thanks for the support Neil!

You can find out more about Rose Road and the fantastic work they do via their website at www.roseroad.org.uk. And, of course if you want to sponsor my walk on Friday – do click on the banner below!

In addition to being able to make a donation through JustGiving, you can now sponsor me for my north to south walk in the ‘traditional sense’ at the following places on the island… Read the rest of this entry »

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?” Read the rest of this entry »