No serious adverse effects after blown tyre puts car in a ditch

Hello everyone

I'm glad to say both my sister and I are fine after my car ended up in a ditch Monday am. We had only travelled about 2 miles on our six hour return journey home when the front tyre blew and we ended up in a ditch.

I will put up a couple of photos of the car. We were travelling on a single track road and having just driven around a bend I was only doing 25-30 miles per hour, the driver front tyre blew and it pulled the car to the right by only a couple of inches. This was enough however to make the  front wheel on the driver side drop off the edge of the tarmac ( no curbs on these roads ).

The drop was about 4/5 inches ( if this had happened 10 foot further down the road it wouldn't have been an issue has there was no drop off ) and I was trying to pull the car back up, it wasn't having any of it, unfortunately for me there was a second drop off and after having a double dip it was impossible for me to pull the car back up.

I was still managing to keep the car straight with the road, but the the steepness of the ditch was putting my car on an ever increasing angle, so in the end I had to drive down into the ditch. Aa I turned and drove down into the ditch it was a bumpy ride, there was an awful loud noise going on, it sounded like the exhaust had
 been ripped off or something!

The car eventually came to a stop, and my sister and I were asking each other if we were okay, it had happened so quickly, we got out of the car and I then realised the really loud noise was from the wheel arch trim and wheel arch been ripped off the car and dragged underneath.

Luckily it was a soft landing in the bottom of the ditch, couldn't see the wheels or undercarraige, I got back in the car and started up the engine, fired up straight away, I reversed the car back the way I'd come in, but after about 10-15 feet it wouldn't budge.

We had just stepped out of the car again when a passerby stopped, he asked if we'd rang anybody. We said no, it's just happened and there is no signal. He offered to go to Monron's down in Oban for us. He then came back to say they would be on their way shortly.

It was really heart warming to see so many motorists stop to see if we were okay and if they could do anything. I thank each and everyone of them.

The recovery truck came and winched my car out of the ditch. He said I was really lucky the car hadn't flipped over because of the steepness of the side. It was put on the back of the truck and down to town we went. Believe it or not, my tough car got away with a new tyre and was drivable!

So we had a £240  four hour delay and was once again on our way home.

Didn't get home until  after 9pm, at which point I popped open a bottle of Crabbie's Ginger Ale amnd toasted our successful ascent of Ben Nevis and our very lucky escape from the ditch.

I'm still trying to get my car sorted out, but she's still driving really well. I never once felt nervous about driving her 300 miles home after we had been pulled from the ditch. I'll just be happy when the damage is sorted and she looks her normal self!

The Ben Nevis sponsored challenge was a fantastic experience, all who took part thoroughly enjoyed themselves, those who didn't turn up missed out on something really special.

I look forward to the next endurance challenge as War on Cancer takes on as part of conquering the highest peaks of the British Isles!

All future events will now come with a minimum deposit required which can be redeemed from sponsor money collected to prevent another "Ben Nevis" occurrence. It's certainly a lesson that's been learned. The non- showers have seriously reduced money raised on a big annual event. I cannot in all good conscience allow this to happen again.

So happy and safe from our wonderful Ben Nevis event and already looking into next years1

So it's on with training for the Yorkshire 3 Peaks which Lost Earth Adventures are hosting on behalf of  WOC in July and then carrying for my Mount.Kilimanjaro climb in September.

Until next time
Tracy

Ben Nevis sponsored endurance challenge 2013

Hello everyone!

Wow what a weekend! I'm so very happy to say everyone who took part in the WOC annual endurance challenge successfully completed it! A massive congratulations to them all!

We had the most beautiful weather for the weekend, I think we were truly blessed after the horrible weather we'd had during the 2012 endurance event.

The drive up on the Friday was great, the roads were quiet, the sun was shining and the singing was happening in the car! It took around six hours to get up to Oban where I'd decided to stay. What a gorgeous  place it was too. I know by staying there I'd have a drive of just over a hour to get to our meeting place the following morning at the Ben Nevis visitor centre just outside Fort William. But to be honest it was worth it, the scenery was spectacular and worth the extra travelling time.

The major downside for me was discovering on our arrival that the in car charger that had been plugged inot my phone the whole trip ( sat nav ) was broken and consequently had not been charging my phone. My battery for all intense purposes was a gonna.

My eldest sister Caroline and I had decided to camp and I'd found a great campsite just two and a half miles outside Oban. It had a great view of the sea and wasn't too busy. When got there the Friday evening, got the tent pitched and drove down to the town to grab some food. A cheeky Gin & Tonic and we were ready to hit the sleeping bags. 

Saturday am saw us up ready and off. I had been very good and had packed my hiking rucksack before I'd left home. We set off in plenty of time, but it all started crashing around our ears when we got stuck behind two very, very slow drivers. Anyone ever been to Scotland can attest to the roads and the lack of spots for overtaking. Then to add to the problems don't ask me how, we didn't end up on the coastal route to Fort William for our 8am rendezvous, we were the majestic route up into The Highlands to Fort William! - don't get me wrong it is really spectacular.....just not when you are running late for a meet up!

We did finally make it to the visitor centre really late. The other were waiting for us to get there ( they were all a little late, but nowhere near as bad as me, could have done without the extra two hours driving! ) We finally set off at 10.30am on a gloriously sunny and hot day. The Ben Nevis challenge was upon us!

So we set off the six of us that made it from the very many more who had pledged themselves to the challenge of raising money for WOC and the climbing of Ben Nevis. So Andy, Angela, Caroline, Bec's, Ali and our two furry mascots for the day Harry and Bess were on our way. Challenge accepted! My sister Caroline had been having problems with her knee for quite a while, she wasn't sure how'd she get on, but had actually paid to have some acupuncture done prior to us setting off. So it was a big good luck with the knee and let's see what the day brings.

From the get go you are practically straight into uneven rock steps of different sizes, and the ascent is pretty steep straight away. It was a glorious day, but that did not make for comfy climbing, our fluid intake was going to be crucial for sure. Everything was going really well, we weren't marching up the mountain, we were being sensible keeping a nice steady pace, stopping to take photos, a drink and chatting and laughing along the way.

About a third of the way up I started getting little telltale twinges in my right calf, they only lasted a couple of seconds but I was thinking, no don't do this today of all days! My right ankle is the one I ruptured and ended up on crutches for five months, and if I'm going to have any trouble it's always the right leg. On wards and upwards we went, the first of what turned out to be endless cramp attacks happened, yep my right calf. I was a little ahead of Andy and Caroline when it hit, I sort of threw myself on a rock and was trying to grab the muscle and my foot whilst being impeded by my walking poles! I shouted out in pain as you do, and bless a young guy came charging over ( he was on his way down ) to see what he could do. He was pushing my toes towards me to try stretch out my calf.

My brother got to me and took over, I thanked the young man and my brother massaged the cramp out of my calf. Like I say it was an endless round of attacks, my brother/sister massaging them out, me getting a few minutes relief before the next one built up. Was no fun for sure! I think the fact my right foot doesn't flex as it used to before the rupture contributes to a lot of this. I don't ever fully stretch out the calf muscle.

There's a section of the climb coming up towards the halfway part that is really tough, it's not just stones to step up, they are big, uneven, at different angles and they make for a really tough time, you are literally scrambling up some of them. The view certainly helped to distract from the terrain when on a mini couple of minutes breather.

By this time our fittest in the group Bec's and Ali were off ahead of us with their dogs Harry & Bess, just below the halfway point is a lake and the girls were off to take the dogs in to cool off, everyone was feeling the heat! Ahead of us but behind the girls was Angela on her own, she'd found her pace and was steadily getting on. It was poor Andy stuck with two of his sisters making sure we were fine. 

I'm sure the dogs were well and truly ready for this. We made it to the lake area , it's the only flat area apart from the plateau at the summit. Bec's and Ali had moved on about 10 minutes prior to us getting there, but Angela was having a well earned rest. We joined her to and had a little something to eat. My calf was not good and Caroline spent ages massaging it for me. It felt loose and great!

We got up to crack on up to the summit. I'd only been walking a couple of minutes when the quads just above both knee's started spasming and cramping. I couldn't move, it was very painful to say the least. I got sat down and was squeezing them to try and relieve some of the pain. It wasn't working....my brother said to me, did I want some medical advice, I said don't dare say I have to stop - my brother started laughing and rolling his eyes ( I like to think with fondness! ) and said no I wouldn't say that, But you are going to have to walk through it sis.

So for the rest of the steep climb I alternated between having moments of painfree bliss and either quad spasms/cramps and calf cramps. It made for a really long climb for everyone. The section of loose rocks were really telling on the body and didn't help anyone's toes when feet were slipping and banging into other rocks . When we finally were up close to the summit, the first lot of snow we'd have to cross came into view, it was about a foot deep, bit was slippy from all the climbers who'd gone before us. 

We all managed to get over it, my sister Caroline had fallen back down into it in her shorts, she shouted me who was struggling to lift my feet an inch off the ground due to quad cramps ( ever tried shuffling feet forward up hill on slippy snow? - a difficult feat indeed lol!! ), but a lovely young Scot in his kilt when and helped her up - made her day!!

We got to the summit and I was so,so,so happy! we had all made it! Bec's and Ali had passed us on the way down about a hour before. They were descending so they could get the dogs home and rested. Great effort girls.....and Harry & Bess!!

The view was breathtaking, I didn't feel cold at all, not even when I took my rucksack off and my soaked t shirt hit the cold air. There was about a foot of snow on the summit. Here we were at the highest point of Great Britain, and we loved it!!

Angela had at one point got her foot jammed between two rocks and fell in the snow, she luckily managed to wriggle it free!

We had a swig of bubbly to celebrate our success, took in the views, posed for photos and looked around the observatory ruins. We stayed up there about half an hour and then gathered our things for our climb back down.

Going down was so much harder than going up, I think the fatigue really plays a part in that. You don't have the spring in your step, it's so much harder on your knee's etc walking down the steep rocks. Caroline lost her footing and ended up hitting the ground hard. She got up but had hurt the top of her leg. Graham told Angela and I to carry on and he would follow up with Caroline.

We laughed and joked coming down, my legs had never stopped cramping from about a third of the way up and I was struggling to climb down the rocks even with my poles because I couldn't bend my knees properly. We were about a third of the way from completing our descent of "The Ben" when Angela rolled over her ankle and hit the deck, she was laughing so no to cry ( exhaustion and pain ), I was trying to get down some rocks and was shouting I'll be there as quick as I can! - it took me ages to get to Angela who was still sat on the floor - we did laugh, she was throwing little stones with temper! hilarious!!! Another bruise and scrape to add to her "playing out legs", the irony of the situation? Angela had actually gone over on a piece of flat ground about 6-8 feet long!

Further down the mountain it was my turn, I had come down a rocky zig and was turning a steep bend to start the descent of a zag when I stood on a rock and my left ankle turned......I actually didn't physically have the strength to stop it happening and down i went. It was all such slow motion, or felt like it....luckily I got my hands off my walking poles to brace for impact. One of my poles ended up under my body and it actually slowed and cushioned my fall. i would have face planted on a rock if not for the pole. My left ankle didn't even hurt, but as I turned over to start getting up my right calf started so I was pulling my toes when Angela said about seeing me go right over on my left ankle and she couldn't believe it didn't hurt! I got more bruises on my arms and that was it really! 

We finally made it back to the visitor centre and Andy and Caroline came in half an hour later. A fantastic but tiring day where each and everyone of us successfully conquered "The Ben".

I want to say a massive thank you to those that came and took on the challenge, it was so worth all the pain and discomfort, I feel so very proud of myself and believe it or not even though the aches and pains are still in the body -- I'm already looking at next years challenge!!

Thank you to everyone who sponsored someone doing this event, every penny helps!

Until next time

Tracy

Further update to money raised on Shave Day!

Hello everyone

We have had more money donated since I announced the total raised for Shave Day - it is now a FANTASTIC £979.52! wow I cannot thank you enough for your generosity. That is a really amazing amount of money.

I thanked Jarrod after and he said he was glad to have been able to a bit to show his support. And once again I thank you all who donated for doing your bit. It means a great deal to War on Cancer and I can promise you it will mean a great deal to those suffering cancer whom it helps.

We are working very hard in the background for various events, not just the Zumba ( which is going to be such fun!! ). We are looking to trying to secure sponsorships for WoC of all levels, and are trying to secure things to put goodie bags together for all the participants for the Zumba.

I will keep you posted on any and all progress regarding sponsorship and any other great news!

Here are some more photos from Shave Day....you will be able to view them in an album on the new website, in the meantime check out a few more here.....or go to the War on Cancer facebook page to see them in sequence.

I'm getting very excited about Ben Nevis --it really is finally nearly here! So June 8th we will be climbing "The Ben" for War on Cancer. I've decided to stay quite a way from Ben Nevis, over at Oban...it's about a hour drive but I think it will be worth it. Hope fully we will get some decent weather ( deserve it after the weather we got for the 2012 Yorkshire 3 Peak  challenge! )

The plan is to relax on Sunday, stretch the legs....try and get a boat trip in to see the Seal colony, hopefully some dolphins, porpoises and if I'm really lucky....maybe a basking shark! - whatever happens camera will be at the ready!

I've started checking and planning my Mount.Kilimanjaro climb for War on Cancer this coming September. I am beyond excited with this, especially after having to delay last year. I will start posting out for about this after Ben Nevis.....going to try for loads of sponsors for Mount.Kili - was hoping the new website would have been up and running and could have showcased it more.

It will be pretty sad to achieve such a feat and only raise a little money for War on Cancer -- anyway still time to crack on. So Ben Nevis will be a nice little warmer for the big one this year. 19,340ft of it!

I will start putting up so Ben facts over the next few days.

Until then

Tracy 

Shave Day a massive success! Amount raised announced!

Hello everyone

Shave Day for Jarrod and Omar was a great success. This took place yesterday on stage during the Bulls Fun Day. The weather wasn't fantastic and it was cold, but thank you everyone who came down to support Jarrod and Omar.

I want to thank Gents Quarter of Baildon for giving their wonderful services for free, and especially Joe from Gents Quarter who did a magnificent job doing the cut throat shave while live bands were playing away on stage! I know Jarrod loved it and said it was really relaxing, hey maybe the boys will go up to the salon and get pampered for 45 minutes or so!

Here's a couple of shots ( will load more at a later date ) before and after....

Thanks to everyone who sponsored and donated into the buckets, I'm really happy to announce an amazing £949.52 was raised for WoC!!

Big shout outs to Jodie Watt for winning the bidding war to start off Shave Day with a massive £100 bid ! Also a very generous donation of £100 from BedzRus and also Halifax VW! - thank you all very much for supporting our cause in the fight against cancer.

I want to thank once again Jarrod and Omar for being so gracious to agree to "Shave Day"

I will load more photos soon.

Until next time

Tracy  

Aussie Rugby star playing for Bradford Bulls ot shave famous beard and hair for WOC!

Hello everyone

Very quick update ( more to follow ) Jarrod Sammut is to shave his famous beard and hair off to raise funds for WoC! Can't thank you enough Jarrod! you are going a great thing, not just the money that will be raised but the raising of cancer awareness and of course War on Cancer's profile - so thank you very much!

So please help us raise money for Jarrod's Shave Day! My 27th - Time & Place to be confirmed.

Trying to get a PDF sponsor form loaded on here for you to download.. Kepp checking

Will give more details soon!

Until then
Tracy

War on Cancer welcomes two Ambassadors!

Hello everyone

Cancer doesn't respect borders or boundaries and takes no notice of social status, religion or culture. Most of us over our lifetime will either have some form of cancer or know someone who has/had cancer, it affects one in three. So it is a mammoth task we are all taking on to help to eradicate cancer for future generations, and we do with positive gusto and enthusiasm . But it is also the here and now we need to concentrate on too. We will in years to come be a positive to cancers negative and traverse the globe helping to make a positive impact on those suffering this cruel disease. Together we can conquer!

War on Cancer is very happy to announce two very enthusiastic women on board. They are perfect Ambassadors for War on Cancer, they believe in the cause and positively make everyone who comes in contact with them aware of what we are trying to achieve and what great events we have happening this year, their bubbly personalities are exactly what we need, to get the message out there - to get War on Cancer in people's thoughts and conversations.

So without further ado I on behalf of WoC would like to introduce you to Angela Moore & Katie Stirk!

Both girls are great representatives and do spend time promoting interest in WoC and  encouraging it's rise in popularity. Whenever they meet new people they tell them about us and help maintain our success with a view to improving on it. Like myself both Angela and Katie are walking talking advertisements for WoC!

The girls are total nutters and fit into our family from the get-go! Both can talk for England, and boy do they talk at times! They are perfect for us, with great sense of humours to go with the nuttiness!

I'm still in therapy from going to the bathroom and seeing Angela sat on the loo with the door open!...nutters I tell you! Katie's stories have me in stitches and I've said she should write them down and get them published. Angela cracks me up with her "moon walking". Laughter is the best medicine ever and it's always in abundance around these two!

So welcome aboard Angela & Katie and I look forward to many years of working with you. Zumba? we'll #smashit!

Until next time

Tracy

Zumba event keeps moving forward

Hello everyone

So we're are moving forward with the planning of the Zumba event. I'm very happy to announce our Zumba instructors for the event are local company -  Zumba Bradford. Welcome aboard Rachael and Deana, your support of this event and WoC is much appreciated. Ladies we are going to have a blast!

So welcome to all for this exciting event, where we will have loads of fun while dancing our way to raising loads of money, raising awareness for breast cancer which effects men as well as women....and of course putting Bradford on the map with a World Record!! So come on guys - make sure you come support the cause on the day, we want to see you all on the pitch strutting

your zumba moves -- we can all move like Jagger! If you cannot take part - we want you to come watch and show support for those taking part and WoC by being there, thank you all. We want a massive crowd there cheering us on to our World Record.

You can get your Zumba ticket in person at the Bradford Bulls ticket office in cash only for £5.00. Or here on the blog by going through Paypal for £5.50 - this is to cover postage costs etc. If you do it online remember to leave your name, address & email so it can be posted to you. We are actively encouraging you all to buy your tickets in advance so I can monitor our progress with participants for the Record attempt. If you allow, your email will be added to a mailing list where a WoC newsletter will be emailed out at semi regular times.   

It's full steam ahead from the printing point of view, we have 7,500 flyers and 10,000 business cards getting printed to advertise our event. Please contact me if you can take some to place in your local gym, community centre, mother & toddlers group, slimming group, shop, supermarket,doctors surgery,hairdressers etc, etc,etc.... you get the picture! We will be advertising in local community papers, and exploring all other media avenues. If you know someone on a local radio station, community station, hospital radio, local papers or TV...get in touch.

Let us all as a community get the message out there, we want to smash this record and prove what a great community spirit we have in Bradford. You don't have to be local to hang a flyer - the further afield it's advertised the better! - it's a fantastic event to showcase how important exercise is for our health....I keep saying - we only have one body, lets look after it so it looks after us in later life!

I'm on with the first stage of charity registration as well at the moment - It's to make War on Cancer a Ltd company. Don't worry about gift aid when sponsoring someone, it can be back dated and claimed from Customs for up to 12 months. War on Cancer will hopefully have full charity status in the coming few  months.

If you fancy pushing yourself, then get signed up for one of the endurance events this year, you'll be surprised how motivated and determined you will become. Having something to focus on works wonders, trust me I know this! If you cannot do it yourself, tell your friends and family - maybe they want to have a go. The key to supporting WoC is simply talking about it, awareness....that's all it needs. You can also support by sponsoring a friend who's taking part in one of the events, or if you believe in the cause and want to help, you can also donate here on the blog.

Ben Nevis is finally getting close - I cannot wait to get going on this one. The thing I'm most nervous about is doing a video blog - going to trial run it at "The Ben", love being behind the camera....hate being in front! will be good practice for Mount.Kilimanjaro later in the year. They will be posted on the new website! This is a sponsored event which is open to a max of 40 participants. Is going to be a great weekend up in Scotland....I'm going up on the Friday, the climb is Saturday and Sunday going to spend the day gently stretching the muscles out while maybe taking a boat trip to observe the exceptional wildlife near Oban. Hopefully we will get a glimpse of the Minke Whale or a Basking shark. The Seal colony, maybe a dolphin or porpoise or two, even a sea or Golden Eagle maybe in the offing and if we are really lucky - the elusive sea Otter!!

On July 6th - it's the second annual Yorkshire 3 Peaks sponsored challenge ( Y3P ) - this year Lost Earth Adventures are hosting the event on behalf of WoC. It is an open to the UK event with a max of 40 places available. Click on the link here for more details - come on join me and the guys n gals from wonderful Lost Earth Adventures who are donating their services for free for our wonderful cause, come push yourselves to the limits - it will be worth it I promise you! http://www.lostearthadventures.co.uk/yorkshire-3-peaks-challenge/.

I have my 6 monthly check up next week at the breast clinic, which is also my annual mammogram. It will be nice to be able to go see my HODU nurses and have a quick 5 minutes with them, I like to be able to catch up with them. They are like an extension of my family now - well I guess they are part of my cancer family now! So hopefully will get the all is okay and your clear of cancer to the best of our knowledge at this time talk ( in remission/ surviving cancer ) and we'll see you in 6 months!

So I hope you take up one of the events, it will be great to see you there and I would love the support. Everyone can seriously consider the Zumba! come on.....lets dance and party!

Until next time

Tracy