My Digital Postcard From Tanzania for #IWD2014

The three bloggers (A Residence, Mammasaurus and Mummy Barrow) behind the phenomenon that is Team Honk are currently in Tanzania with Comic Relief. They are looking at the lasting change made by the charity, seeing where and how our donations are making a massive difference to lives. They are focusing on female entrepreneurs building business that benefit both their families and the wider community.

T from Mummy Barrow sent me this postcard about a woman she met called Lucy.

T writes:

"Through mentoring and training the Gatsby Trust gave Lucy the confidence to develop her business and to network after moving from the countryside to the city, She is an inspirational creative who brought out so many beautiful, imaginative handcrafted items to show us. More than that she is a teacher and looks forward expanding her business by training other women who want to start up craft and textile businesses."

What has really struck me, from following Team Honk in Tanzania, is how these women are just like us. They work from home, for themselves, starting their businesses from scratch, eventually supporting their families. They just need a bit of support, from charities like Comic Relief, to build their businesses. Then they share their knowledge with others. Just like us.


If you would like to contribute to this empowering charity, here's how:

DONATE

You can help create #lastingchange by sponsoring #teamhonkrelay for Sport Relief

GET INVOLVED

Join up for your local Sport Relief event here.

My Digital Postcard From Tanzania for #IWD2014

So I handed the Team Honk Blogger Relay baton to an elephant...

Team MK

I've loved watching, online, as the Team Honk Blogger Relay has made its way around the country, raising thousands of pounds for Sport Relief. Yesterday was the Milton Keynes to Hemel Hempsted leg. I was proud to be part of Team MK.

Two weeks ago we sat in a coffee shop in the shopping centre plotting and scheming. We wanted to do something a bit different and thought about the iconic and the well-known attractions of MK and the surrounding area. We knew we had to include the concrete cows in our plans, they're synonymous with Milton Keynes.

Then we talked about Woburn Safari Park. Claire rang them there and then, told them about the relay and they said YES straight away. They also suggested that the elephant could hold the baton. We'd joked about this before the call and hadn't dared to ask. Oh and we'd need £10m public liability insurance. Details details.

Isn't she beautiful?

An actual elephant holding the baton

Hayley mentioned that she and Gemma could get hold of a unicorn. So we were sorted for cows, elephants and unicorns. The plan was coming together.

On Sunday I met Lizzie and Helen, and their families, who had swum, cycled, run and walked from Cambridge to Milton Keynes. I took the baton and ran around the concrete cows, with my red velvet pants on my head (nice).

Lizzie, Sandy and Helen

On Monday the pants were back on and I ran 4 miles (in 55 minutes, a personal best). I was going to handover to Alyce on her bike, but sadly she couldn't make it, so I hopped in the car and drove to Woburn.

Sweaty Sandy

There's something especially exciting about being in a safari park that isn't open to the public that day. We were introduced to Damini the elephant. We were blown away by her size. I know, I know, elephants are big, but standing next to one makes you realise just how enormous they are. She took the baton. I got trunk slobber on my coat. I love the face I'm pulling in this photograph, a mixture of awe, joy and fear.

Sandy and Damini

Damini also held one of our signs (made by Marissa).

Do as the elephant says...

Hayley and Gemma took the baton and headed off to find their unicorn.

No, it's a real unicorn. As if we'd dress up a horse. Tut tut.


Thank you to everyone who has sponsored us via our Sport Relief page or donated using the text number. There's still plenty of time left to donate, or join in, either en route with the baton or at one of the many Sport Relief events around the country. The Calicos are all running a mile together next month. That should be interesting...

Huge thanks to Katie and the team at Woburn Safari Park. Claire and I will be taking our families in half term because it is an amazing place to visit, and also to give them some business. We talked to the elephant keepers about the park. The elephants are walked for miles daily and allowed to roam free in the woods and have their own private lake to play in. Not a bad life.

*** PLEASE DONATE ***

Thank you.

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So I handed the Team Honk Blogger Relay baton to an elephant...

Team Honk Blogger Relay

Text HONK to 70005 and donate £5 to Sport Relief*

Team Honk is back and it's bigger than ever. Last year was just the beginning. This year over 200 bloggers are going to run, skip, jump, skate, swim, ride and scoot for 3000 miles from Land's End to John O'Groats in the great Team Honk Blogger Relay.

I'm incredibly excited to be part of Team Honk Milton Keynes. On Sunday 2nd February I will collect the baton from Lizzie and Helen after their leg of the relay, as they arrive from Cambridge.

The following day I will see if my couch to 5k training has paid off as I attempt to run the first 5k with the baton, wearing red pants on my head. Also running for Team Honk MK (much faster than me) are Claire from Ministry of Mum and Hayley from Shutterflies. Missy from Missy B and Family will be walking in her wedding dress, and Alyce from Upsy Daisy Baby will be cycling too. It's going to be a day of sweat (definitely) and tears (probably), but hopefully no blood...

What are we doing this for? Team Honk is raising money for Sport Relief.

Here is the Team MK fundraising page. 
Please sponsor us if you can.

No amount is too small as it all adds up and makes a huge difference to those in need in Africa and in the UK.

If the route doesn't come close to where you are, you can still provide social support for Team Honk.


The first ever Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Games take place from Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd March 2014. The public can join the fun and games by running, swimming or cycling their way to raising cash at over a thousand venues around the country, including the landmark events at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

As one of the biggest fundraising events, Sport Relief brings the entire nation together to get active raise cash and change lives. The money raised by the public is spent by Comic Relief to help transform the lives of some of the poorest and most disadvantaged people both at home in the UK and across the world.


Andy, the boys and I have signed up for the Sport Relief Mile in Milton Keynes. Let's hope it's possible to get round as a family...



Text HONK to 70005 and donate £5 to Sport Relief*

Thank you for your support.

*Costs £5 + std ntwrk msg rate. Ts&Cs sportrelief.com/terms

Team Honk Blogger Relay