Bid your way to a place in the Fastnet raceDo you have a taste for adventure? Earthwatch is seeking a crew member to take part in the Fastnet yacht race.
On 9 August 2009, an impressive flotilla of more than 250 yachts will set sail from Cowes on the Isle of Wight in one of the most famous and challenging yacht races in the world - the Fastnet race...and you could be part of the action.
There is one place up for grabs to the lucky highest bidder on the ‘Polar Bear' yacht. The place will be sold in a silent auction to raise money for Earthwatch and the children's hospice, Martin House. As an added incentive, presenter of the BBC's Oceans series, explorer and Earthwatch ambassador Paul Rose, will also be joining the crew.
The lucky bidder will join a fantastic crew of 18, headed up by two professional race skippers with many years and nautical miles of experience between them, including two previous Fastnet campaigns. The winner of the auction will join the crew for an ‘acclimatisation' and qualifying sail from Newcastle to Cowes on 2 August. Arriving at Cowes around 5 August the crew will then make last minute preparations during Cowes Week, living on board the boat. The start of the Rolex Fastnet is the grand finale of Cowes Week on 9 August.
Find out more about your chance to win this fantastic opportunity to set sail with Paul and the crew at http://www.fastnetchallenge.org.uk/. Bids will start at £1,500 and the online auction opens on May 15, closing on May 24. Good luck and happy bidding.
Max's Walk
Please join Earthwatch and friends on Saturday 12 July 2009 when we will be taking part in Max's Walk - a sponsored walk in memory of Earthwatch founder Max Nicholson.
We will be walking part of the Jubilee Walkway (about a six mile section) with a larger group of friends and supporters of Max Nicholson, the world renowned environmentalist, ornithologist and author.
The walk will begin at the City of London information centre, St Pauls Churchyard, London EC4 8BX at 10am. We shall walk for around three hours, and for the budding photographers amongst us we will be taking in some of London's best sites, including St Paul's Cathedral, Westminster and Tower Bridge.
If you would like to join us, please contact Laura Howells on 01865 318878, or email lhowells@earthwatch.org.uk. And if you wish to fundraise for Earthwatch from your participation in the walk, you may direct your friends and family to Just Giving. We hope you can join us for what will certainly be a great day.
Countdown to the Hairy Legs Challenge
The Hairy Legs Challenge is almost upon us. Staff from the Earthwatch office here in Oxford have been training hard for this duathlon on 10 May - a 5km cross country run, 20km off-road bike ride, followed by another 5km run. Please sponsor Team Earthwatch and help us in the final push to raise funds for our Oceans Appeal.