27 September 2007
Dear Friend
With the big race a mere 38 sleeps away, this will likely be the last update before we “rock New York to the Rafters”. Many thanks to all for your support. After a few months since the last newsletter, I thought it would be worthwhile providing an update in what has been happening in the Team Rafters world. Below is an update of a few races that I have completed plus also a summary of some of the events that we have hosted. Remember to check out www.teamrafters.com.au for all the latest.
FUNDRAISING UPDATE – WE ARE ALMOST THERE!!
The current level of commitments received as at 27 September 2007 by the Heart Foundation team for the New York Marathon Challenge sits at an amazing $122, 353. Team Rafters fundraising activities is responsible for the $31,709 of this amount. Currently, Team Rafters is the leading fundraiser for the National Heart Foundation. With our aim to raise a minimum of $144,000 between the 24 of us, we are almost there. Thank you … thank you … thank you!!
DONATIONS AVAILABLE ONLINE – LAST CHANCE TO DONATE
If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to support "Team Rafters", the Heart Foundation have set-up my own fundraising website where you can do so securely online with your credit card, and help me reach my sponsorship target! Just go to http://heartchallengesny.kintera.org/teamrafters
A tax deductible receipt will be sent to you once your sponsorship has been processed. If you feel moved to forward this to your network of friends it would be greatly appreciated.
Like Rafters at the 40km mark … please dig deep.
RAFFLE – WIN A FRAMED SIGNED SWANS JUMPER
Attached to this update is a flyer in relation to a raffle that we are running. There are some magnificent prizes including a signed & framed Sydney Swans jumper which Jared Crouch kindly arranged for Team Rafters. Other prizes include a family pass to a Sydney FC match, a Western Bulldogs football and the book Little Mongrels. Many thanks to the Sydney Swans, Dymocks Wollongong, Sydney FC and the Western Buldogs for donating the prizes.
Tickets can be purchased from Rafters 0418 210 599 or from Terry Little down in Wollongong (he will have the framed jumper with him at the Master Builders Club on AFL grand final day).
Tickets are only $5 and the raffle will be drawn on Saturday 10 November 2007 and winners will be announced on www.teamrafters.com.au
TRAINING UPDATE
With the big race a stone’s throw away, we are well into the heavy part of our training regime. After knee surgery in April, the training program has been slowly increasing as we build towards the big goal. Last Sunday 23 September, I competed in the Blackmore’s Sydney Half Marathon. It was my fourth half marathon this year and I have improved my time with each outing. The course was very tough over the first 17 kms with plenty of hills which are generally unkind to the big fella’s frame. However, Sunday saw a new season best by over 5 minutes (as well as a 13 minute improvement throughout the four races). With the advantage of 5 more hard weeks of training, coupled with a taper to ensure fresh legs, all is going to schedule.
On Sunday 12 August I competed with 64,000 people in the City To Surf. The aim was to try & improve my time from 1993 (the only other time that I ran in the C2S) and I achieved that by 4 minutes. Whilst the race was a tad short for preparations, the benefit derived in having to race in such a big crowd helped in preparations for New York (where 37,000 compete!).
There are no more competitive races so Sunday mornings involve a regular 30km run and I am getting approximately 70km in the legs per week (not easy during tax season let me tell you!). The weather is warming up nicely these days and the tan is starting to come along nicely for New York.
TERRY LITTLE JOINS TEAM RAFTERS
It was quite heartening to hear that our efforts were able to inspire others to get fit and raise funds for the Heart Foundation. Terry Little is a good mate and former teammate of mine at the Wollongong Lions AFC and he is taking on the challenge to run 21km on November 10. Click here to read more about his story.
TEAM RAFTERS FUNDRAISING DINNER UPDATE
Following on from the great night in our first fundraising dinner in May, we had an absolutely sensational night for our final dinner at the Auburn Tennis Club on Saturday September 1. The Granville Goons came last at our previous trivia quiz but showed a remarkable comeback to record a decisive win this time around. Final placings were:
1. Granville Goons - 36
2. Decoglaze Ducks – 35.5
3. Davis Dogs – 33.5
4. Brooklyn Bridge Buckineers – 31
5. Fawcett Fanatics – 29
6. Bronx Bandits – 26
7. Tennis Club Deuces – 23.5
8. Chookie’s Chooks – 22
9. Consolidated Clowns – 21
I would like to thank those that assisted with the organisation of the night, particularly the club, Kylie, Anna & Andrew. The top off a great night we were able to make a profit of over $3,000. A special thanks to the following who donated prizes and auction items for the night:
· Australian Opal Cutters
· Decoglaze Splashbacks
· Information Technology Hosting Services
· Fremantle Dockers
· Balmain Dockers
· Essendon Bombers
· Geelong Cats
· Hawthorn Hawks
· Canterbury Bulldogs
· Sydney Roosters
· Parramatta Eels
· Penrith Panthers
· ACT Brumbies
· NSW Waratahs
· Melbourne Tigers
· South Dragons
· Mai Raftery
GUESS RAFTERS TIME IN NEW YORK & WIN $200!!!!
Click here to guess my time in the New York marathon on November 4. With an entry fee of only $5, it is a great opportunity to make a cool $200. We already have a number of entries ranging from 3hrs 10mins 30 secs through to 5 hrs 45 mins 15 sec. We even have a DNF (did not finish) amongst the entries!!
TEAM RAFTERS PICS
Check out www.teamrafters.com.au/Photos.htm for all the pictures from our fundraising dinners as well as the various races that have been part of the build-up in training for the New York marathon. Many thanks to official photographer Kylie Raftery for her unwavering suport throughout the year to get these amazing pictures.
TEAM RAFTERS IN THE MEDIA
The last few months has seen alot of media activity for Team Rafters. We got a lot of coverage for our sponsors a few weeks ago when Fox Sports & Channels Seven & Ten ran a story about us training with the Sydney Swans at the SCG. (Swans players Tadhg Kennelly & Jared Crouch are part of our team). The Parramatta Advertiser ran an article on our fundraising efforts whilst the Parramatta Sun is also running an article next week as well. You can read all of our articles here.
UPCOMING RACES – JUST ONE TO GO!!
Sunday November 4 – ING New York Marathon – THE BIG ONE – 42.195km
CORPORATE SPONSORS
Gold sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Information Technology Hosting Services
The Team Rafters website has more details of each business. We would like to thank the support of the above businesses and hope they enjoy the positive benefits of being involved with such a great cause.
Kindest regards
Adrian