John O Groats to Lands End in a Likamobile. 2nd - 16th August

Hi Everyone,

We have started to send out some promotional flyers on the new DCC engines today. The order book is already at around 10 and we hope to increase this to 20 with the mailshot and rallies coming up.

Included in this mailshot is some information about the John O Groats to Lands End journey we will be attempting in approximately 8 weeks time on the Likamobile. This journey totals around 991 miles and is going to be one hell of an challenge considering the most i've done on my car in any one day is about 50 miles.

I have added a copy of the letter being sent out below. There will also be an official flyer from Hearing dogs explaining who they are and what they do. Please take the time to read it and although we do realise that times are hard for everyone any donations to really make this challenge worthwhile would be really appreciated. We have almost 200 members on the forum and if everyone just gives a little it would soon add up. As we have explained in the letter there will also be other sponsership opportunities available: For example, having your business logo on the car or being a passenger on a leg of the journey. Further information about these will be contained in the flyer that has been posted.

Every penny raised is going to the charity as Steve and I will be paying our own costs. Donating on our official 'Just Giving' page http://www.justgiving.com/steam-car also means that Hearing dogs can claim tax relief on you donation meaning every £1 donated is worth £1.28 to them.

Cheers

Dean & Steve.

Dear Steam Traction World Customer,

HEARING DOGS for DEAF PEOPLE

Steam Traction World plans later this year to stage a major fund raising event to assist Hearing Dogs for Deaf People in bringing independence to deaf people by training and providing Hearing Dogs.

I am writing to you now to ask if you will consider giving us your support to maximise the benefit we can give to this highly effective charity. We are organising the event in conjunction with Carl Morris and ‘CharityExhibitions.com’.

Charity Exhibitions was founded by Carl Morris, a former world pool champion who gained total independence when Hearing Dogs provided him with Ingle, a Labrador. Ingle alerts Carl to the everyday sounds that we all take for granted and thus giving Carl the opportunity to lead an independent life.

The event will be based around driving our Likamobile steam car all the way from John O’Groats to Lands End, stopping at major places each evening and taking in an appearance at the Pickering Steam Rally for two days on Steam Traction World’s stand. These stops will be used to provide further fund raising opportunities in addition to the “en-route” collections that will be made by people that have benefited from Hearing Dogs. For example Carl, who will also be travelling the route with us will display his pool playing skills by demonstrating trick shots and challenging members of the public to a game of pool – in return for donations of course!

There are many ways in which you can help us and these together with further details about the charity and its work are attached. Cash donations and sponsorship will be passed on in full as STW will be covering all of its own costs. Hearing Dogs for Deaf People are planning to make this a high profile event with national TV and press coverage that will particularly appeal to business sponsors.

Sponsorship opportunities:

• Cash donations (all monies received will be passed on in full to Hearing Dogs for Deaf People). Please contact Dean Rogers at STW or donate using our fund raising page at http://www.justgiving.com/steam-car to pledge an amount before the event.
• Sponsor a leg of the journey and get to ride on the Likamobile becoming a part of this amazing challenge.
• Sponsor a panel on the Likamobile and display your company logo.
• Sponsor the support vehicle and promote your business.
• Volunteer your time and become one of the planning and/or support team.
• Enjoy some evening entertainment with Carl Morris showing off his pool skills in return for a donation.
• Sponsor an evening’s entertainment event.
• Bring your friends and give us a cheer on the route as we pass through your part of the country. And better still lob some contributions into the collectors’ buckets!
• Provide signage graphics.
• Secure an exhibition by Carl Morris for your venue which will also act as the location base for all activities including media gathering, photo opportunities and the exhibition itself.

Our aim is to raise over £100,000 so please give us whatever support you can and help give even more people with this invisible disability the independence that we all so value.

Thank you.


Yours sincerely,

D. Rogers
Dean Rogers.

quick photo of likamobile in final preparation for the run, now featuring sponsorship logos

the likamobile is just about ready to go...



things are getting a little busy now as Steve and Dean are starting to realise just how big a task this is going to be, and the recent rain has reminded them that they need to get some waterproofs sorted

the truck and the "new" caravan have received their "decals" today, mainly to stop the police bugging them at night in an attempt to move on the gypsys

wish them luck everyone, cos they may need it