Thank you to Staples for all their help in sorting out the stationery for the Around Britain Challenge, I can now look at starting to send out letters looking for places to stay.
Well things have moved on since the World Record Attempt at the begining of the month, still no news yet from the Guinness World Records team.
I've started planning a couple of events to complete before the major trip Around Britain, Land's End to John O'Groats and back again, this will be a fundraiser for the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help and is due to start on the 28th April 2012. Hopefully the weather will be kind to us!
I shall be using a support vehicle on this trip to help me get the most milage out of the scooter each day.
Last weekend (1st & 2nd October 2011) I had a go at breaking a world record for 'The furthest distance in 24 hours on a powered wheelchair or mobility scooter'.
There were certain conditions I had to meet;
I started at midday on the Saturday with help from the West Glamorgan Branch of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help, they provided the muscle to change the batteries and kept me fed and watered.
Before the start I thought one of the biggest problems I'd face would be the bordem, I hadn't even thought about the numb bum and pain I get in my legs!
During the day lots of people visited the park and wished me well, after dark though it was a different story. Being a lover of wildlife as was pleased to see badgers, rabbits, foxes and bats all around the park. Once it was quieter I was able to use more of the paths and roads in the park and disturbed quite a few youngsters in quiet spots!
During the twenty-four hours I had to change the batteries every few hours for a new set, at one of these change overs I was told that there had been a badger and a fox around the caravan. At 0430hrs I came in for a battery change and 10 minute nap only to find a fox and a badger trying to use me as a step to get to the Welsh Cakes I had been munching on! That entertained me and kept me going for a couple of more hours! Whilst out on the circuit the fox and badger managed to get at the food and also managed to pull a camera off the table and smash it.
I finished at midday on the Sunday and completed 182 miles by the GPS odometer, I also used a another GPS to track my route which has now been downloaded and sent to the Guinness World Records team, I just need to find out now if I've managed to set a record!
BBC Radio 5 Live Drive interview
BBC Radio Wales Interview
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After roughly mapping the route I have set the start date for the 2nd January 2013. It will take nearly a year to complete and cover more than 8000 miles.
After my trip Round Wales I'm looking at going around the edges of Britain on the scooter, there is a lot to plan, the start date now looks like it will be March 2012, no exact date though I can't be at Penzance before the end of March due to ferries not running until then.
If you would like access to the maps of my proposed routes please email me. You will not be able to enter any compertitions though if I set them up as this would give you an unfair advantage.
In the meantime I am going to have a go at breaking a World Record, 'the furthest distance travelled in twenty-four hours by a mobility scooter or powered wheelchair' this will be on the 1st and 2nd October in Pembrey Country Park in Llanelli, there should be a barbaque and other bits and bobs running if you fancy popping down to support me. The event will be promoting and raising awarness of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help and hopefully raising a bit of money for them at the same time.
ITV News report about me - http://www.itv.com/wales/mans-1500-mile-trip-round-wales-on-a-mobility-scooter30868/
I appreciate all the help I can get and all the money I raise goes to the charities. I will be looking for places to stay at or near to. I need access to electricity and if possible disabled facilities, I can struggle without if none available, I will also have my cat with me. This list will be updated as I mark out routes.
I have finished mapping my route around the UK and it is a bit longer than I had anticipated, it is currently mapped at 300+ days, this does not included rest and repair days. Watch this space for updates.
I currently don't have a start date as of yet and probably won't set one until I've worked everything out.