news

CEO's Blog: March 2010

Week One:

There’s a song that goes like this….. I would walk 500 miles and I would walk 500 more just to be the man who walked 1,000 miles to fall down at your door….. Some of you may remember this if you were indeed teens of the 80s like myself.  There is a very valid point to this I promise you: over the bank holiday weekend of 30th April to 3rd May over 33 Event industry professionals will be walking 100 miles across the South Downs Way, in honour of Howard Kerr, a freelance logistics manager who lost his life in 2008 to Pancreatic Cancer.  The purpose is to raise awareness and much needed funds towards research into pancreatic cancer. 

I would like to tell you why I’m getting involved and what you can do to help.  

I had the pleasure of meeting Howard and his lovely wife Jane at the first fundraising dinner, needless to say his bravery and courage left my mascara streaking and a determination to do something to help build a legacy for this cause.  

My sporting history is rather sketchy, as a teen I represented my region in gymnastics and as a young woman I raced Mini’s on track and in motorkhanas - becoming the top female driver of my club in NZ.  However after moving to London running was about the closest sport I’ve managed (and that’s not just running to the bar for last orders either!).  Two years ago on the night before Confex after a 2.5hr run in the cold and rain I developed a severe case of patella femoral disorder which in essence causes a huge amount of pain in my knees from incorrect tracking of the knee cap and the resulting inflammation makes it difficult to do most forms of exercise, let alone wear the 6inch stilettos that were my trademark (do you know how difficult it is to find sexy flat shoes!).   

However after being assured that I can still be glamorous in a pair of hiking boots and with some grit, determination and the right training I believe I can overcome my pain to participate - maybe as the slowest walker - but hopefully to complete the Southdowns challenge this year with the others.  

So for me becoming involved in Howards Way is both a physical and mental challenge that I’m very much looking forward to.  Like many of the walkers I have lost close friends and family to cancer so to be able to do something to raise awareness and funds for this cause is both a privilege and a duty to those we have lost (Stepfather Ron, Aunty Sue, Brother Peter & Patrick Swayze who gave many young ladies inspiration to take up dancing in the late 80s). 

After I am successful in completing the walk I plan to climb Kilimanjaro in October to continue the fundraising efforts for Howards Way.  The donations raised to date have funded a PHD Studentship Award for a researcher at Barts Hospital’s Institute of Cancer, and the ongoing mission is to continue the funding of his work.  Fundraising activity in 2008 and 2009 produced a total of £120,000. The objective for this year’s Howard’s Way Walk is to raise £60,000. 

So please give generously to this important cause and support your fellow Eventia members participating in the walk this year. Corporate sponsorship is also required at the very easy package rate of £250, you even get your company logo on the t-shirts and website. 

Next week I start my training blog so you can help monitor the progress from a standing start to walking 100miles in less than 8 weeks. Yikes, it sounds scary when you put it like that - best I get out there pounding the pavement!

So aside from ‘The Proclaimers’, who would walk 100miles??  Find out more about the walk, who is participating and the fundraising initiatives on the official website www.howardswaywalk.co.uk. 

Yours,

Izania