Everything zumba!

Hello everyone

Wow what a crazy time it is right now! As the Guinness Zumba World Record attempt draws ever closer, so does the knowledge that the final bits have to be put to bed as it were. With this in mind, I'm going to be taking off next week from work to hopefully get the majority completed.

I and Woc's ambassadors will be busy at it until the event is over. We are really excited about it and from the feedback we are getting, it seems you have caught the bug too!

Over the next couple of days we will be negotiating with shops etc to agree to sell the wristbands ( your entry ticket ) in various areas around Bradford and the surrounding districts in order to save you all a trip up to Odsal before Z Day ( Zumba Day ). It really will be helpful to us here at War on Cancer for you to get your tickets as soon as. The tickets are capped off at a maximum of 7000 and once they are gone, they are gone!

I had a lovely call a couple of days ago from a lady called Alison who along with loads of her family and friends will be doing the Zumba.

She is really in the spirit of the occasion and they are going to have a theme for the day. She said because our charity is called War on Cancer - they are going to come in camouflage! A brilliant idea Alison, and I know even I won't struggle to see you all dressed up and ready for the action!

She really summed up what this event is all about and why we are putting it together in the first place ( thank you Alison for being on the same wavelength as WoC and myself )

She said everyone's lives are touched by cancer in one way or another and this is a really fun way of showing support  -- and at the end of the day -- Who doesn't want to be a World Record Holder!!! I hear you Alison!

I will change and update the poster with different details as and when we get outlets agreeing to sell the wristbands so you know where you can get them from.

We also have fantastic packages available for stall holders, so whether you are a business or a sole trader, we have something for all of you. We have a really superb opportunity for anyone wanting to take advantage of the advertising on the massive 16 msq TV which will be at the event.We will be showing sponsors business logos on the screen between shots of the crowds, before and after the Zumba World Record - this is approx 4 hours of advertising space! We will even have a professional cameraman at the event! Just think of the thousands of potential customers and consumers that will be there on the day - can you really afford to miss out on this? I know we at WOC can't and so will be having a stall ourselves!

The T& A will have a photographer there on the day, and other media will be in attendance on the day too....I will announce who shortly. So everyone can grab their moment of fame on the day!

Our very kind and gracious Zumba Instructor Rachael who is a director of Zumba Bradford is donating her and her company's time for free and will be directing us through our Zumba World Record, her fantastic Zumba troop the Zumba Belles will also be in attendance and will do a showcase number for us too. There is also going to be a special treat as the Zumba kids will also do a little number for us too!...so mum's and dad's be prepared for you little ones wanting to sgn up for Zumba classes afterwards! - we thank you form the bottom of our hearts for doing this for WOC Rachael!

Ian Watt of Absolute Solutions are also fantastically and graciously helping us out with our Zumba event. They are providing the stage and sound for our event. Without you help here Ian, this would have put this event beyond the reach of our little charity and we also thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

To our DJ Stuart who is donating his time for free, a massive big thank you to you too! Stuart is going to be pumping out some tunes for you from when the gates open until we start getting you onto the pitch ( yes this bit is going to be a bit of a pain--but we have to do it in an orderly fashion has it is in the official Guinness guidelines and must be adhered to in order to qualify for the World Record. - So please be patient with us through this process! Stuart will then be back with the music after we've GOT the World Record to entertain you while you check out the stalls!

Some of the stalls will be holding competitions and raffles as well as selling goods etc.

Our very own WoC stall will have one or two raffles going on as well as selling our charity bands and taking orders for the Zumba event t-shirts. We will have samples at the stall for you to check.

I did try to secure the Yorkshire Tea "Little Urn" van - but unfortunately due to prior engagements they couldn't fit it in. They did however send a little Yorkshire Tea pack for us to raffle off!

Fitness First are a massive sponsor of the day and they will have a great stall for you all to check out. They will be raffling off gym memberships for a £1.00 a ticket! First prize is a Black Label gym package worth £760!! all money raised from the raffle Fitness First are donating to WOC - we thank you very much!  

Vybe juice coconut water ( I love this juice!! ) will be doing competitions throughout the day with you having a chance to win some of this wonderfully healthy drink. You can also buy on the day. A must try for sure!

Z day is a real community day where we can all show our support for family, friends and loved ones whose lives have been affected by cancer. And we can do this by getting a ticket and supporting whilst we have fun doing the Zumba.

It's about raising awareness as well as money, it's about getting out there and doing some exercise which prevents certain cancers, but also prevents many other illnesses too. It's about living our lives positively and showing other we can do this and have lots of fun on the way. Together we can help eradicate cancer for future generations, I for one am really happy to be part of that process, and those of you who support charities obviously are too.

We at War on Cancer hope to see you there dressed up or not showing not only our sufferers of cancer that we are here for you, but the World what a fantastic community spirit we have here in Bradford when we secure the World Record!

Until next time

Tracy  

New website almost completed!

Hello everyone

The new website is almost ready to put out there for you all to try - I hope you'll take the time to feedback to  me what you think of it! Here's hoping you all like it and get interactive with us at WoC. There will be new features on the site, but the blog will remain a significant part of it, after all many of you visit the blog as the amount of hits it receives testify to that.

There will be many more opportunities to comment on articles....and much easier to leave feedback. I'm really looking forward to the interaction with you and hope you will enjoy that too!

Although we are working crazy hours in the back ground to try make sure the Zumba is a success and that we get the world record - ultimately it is down to you guys and whether you come along to support our charity, a loved one with breast cancer, or just because you love Zumba or a good bit of fun.....only you can deem whether you think it's worth giving £5.00 to be part of it!

We at WoC certainly hope so, there will be media coverage on the day, with lots of great stalls for you all to peruse before and after the Zumba event.

Anyone wanting to have a stall or take advantage of our advertising package on the big 16 metre squared TV, get in contact to find out costs - think you'll be surprised at how good a deal you'll get!

I don't want to give anything away, but am excited that we've managed to secure a little goodie bag for everyone who takes part.

Within the next few days I'll be submitting the information Guinness want to pre-approve certain parts of the event. It's all getting exciting now.

If you are talking about the event with friends and family - please let them know we'd like tickets to be bought prior to the day to help us with numbers of participants....this will help immensely when coming to know how many stewards we need on the pitch working to official Guinness guidelines.

I will be popping posters with information of outlets in the area of where you can buy your  Zumba wristbands for the day....remember they are £5.00 each. So keep an eye out for your nearest outlet.

We have been donated a fantastic voucher from Elsie Russell's florists in Shipley to raffle on the day to raise funds for WoC. A massive thank you to you!

Until next time

Tracy

Guinness World Record attempt coming ever closer!

Hello everyone

Wow it's been a crazy busy few months for sure! myself and WOC's two ambassadors are working non-stop in the background to make sure the Zumba event on August 17th is a roaring success!

So there have been plenty of posters knocking about the place advertising the Zumba - now we are going to tell you some of the things you can expect to happen on the day!

But before that - I'll ask again.....WHO IS GOING TO BE A GUINNESS WORLD RECORD HOLDER!!! - it's really simple, pre-buy your ticket to avoid disappointment because they have sold out - there is a maximum of 7000 tickets on sale. Also by buying before the event, it helps us gauge where we are in regards to numbers for the World Record.

We wanted to get an adjudicator there for the day so we could find out straight away if we'd succeeded in our quest....but it is £4500 per day plus travel and expenses for one adjudicator - and in all conscience, I can't and won't justify that kind of money. So we have strict guidelines we must follow and obligations to fulfill in our evidence gathering to then send off to Guinness to be checked and verified.

SO PLEASE, PLEASE BE PATIENT WITH US WHEN WE ARE GETTING YOU ALL ON THE PITCH!! 

One of our sponsors and stall holders is Vybe - they supply the delicious drink Coconut water.

This is an amazing drink that is 100% natural, it's gluten free, fat free, low in calories, contains potassium, electrolytes, nutrients and is hydrating!! you have got to try this out on Zumba day - it is fast becoming one of my favourite drinks behind my de-tox juice- it's so healthy and I really love it!

Vybe are going to run a competition and offer a great discount to you great folks attending the event.

Here's what they are offering you!

Vybe Competition

At certain times we will have a Game of Coconut Shie where people can win Coconut Water by knocking off the coconut drinks with a soft ball.

Sign up with email address for the chance to win 2 cases of coconut water to be sent to the winner within 7 days of event.

Discount voucher for ordering from the site directly. Buy one get one-half price with free delivery.

Best of luck to you all in winning this fab drink - Amazing BOGOHP offer too!

Another of our sponors is the very actively supportive Arena Sports Bar in Queensgate , Bradford. 

You need to check this out, it quite rightfully boasts the fact they are in the only bar Yorkshire with three Sky boxes. They can show a multitude of sports on the 80" and various 50" plasma screens at the same time.

A must check out for anyone wanting a new experience!

Best of look to both sponsors mentioned today in all ventures they undertake.

There is going to be a free goodie bag for every participant of the Zumba - details of contents are to be keep a secret - you'll find out on the day!

I will give you more details of other sponsors in the coming days/weeks.

But can tell you it's going to be a fantastic day for anyone who comes along.

We will have a DJ playing tunes from the moment the gates open until we start organising you all onto the pitch, and then for an hour after the Zumba is completed.

There will be plenty of stalls for you to enjoy on the upper concourse, come join us and experience something really special.

Come along Bradford, let's show the world what community really means!!

Until next time

Tracy

WoC annual Garden and Cocktail party

Hello everyone

The annual garden party is almost upon us! It will be held this year at the Pink Parlour and not the Pink Palace!! on Saturday July 13th.

The food theme this year is Italian. It will cost the usual £5.00 and for that you'll get the choice of a couple of starters, a main and dessert if wanted.

The usual regarding drinks - you bring the drink of your choice for the party and come buy a cocktail if you wish.

There will be a Tombola as normal and all the usual fun. Hope to see you there!

The starters are Garlic bread, Garlic bread with cheese, pizza pieces veggie or meat and Mozzarella cheese balls with a spicy tomato sauce.

Main course dishes are Lasagne, Veggie lasagne, Bolognese and Jacket potato's. ( when you read potato's I bet you did it with an Irish accent! )

Dessert's are Neapolitan ice cream & wafers and Tiramisu.

The cocktail bar will be open from 15.00pm. Prices will range from £2.00 - £2.50, and the menu is:
Strawberry Daiquiri
Frazzleberry
Negroni
Strawberry Berryoska
Anejo Highball
Alabazam
Godfather

The garden party starts at 14.00pm, but you can come whatever time suits you!

Until next time
Tracy

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