This is Your Freedom
Helping to make your Charity Challenge more effective and enjoyable.Archive for Skate Journeys
Tomo Chisnall completes New Zealand skate
Kiwi Tomo Chisnall has been on our radar for more than a year now. A teenager wanting to skate the length of New Zealand is one thing, but actually doing it is another. We had a quick chat to Tomo about his adventure:
I’ve just completed a 64 day skate down the entire length of New Zealand for cancer on my longboard, a total distance of 2100kms.
I was inspired to do this after reading Dave Cornthwaite’s book, ”Boardfree”. Not long after I had read this book I was planning my own skate through New Zealand for cancer as I lost one of my best mates to cancer.
I found that planning was very continuous and constantly being on a computer trying to find sponsors, let’s just say I was far far happier to be on the road than behind a computer.
There were many times where I thought it would never happen , on the road when I was coming into Hamilton on Day 12, I was ready to drive home, it was very surreal and I felt worn down mentally. I took some days off and decided to continue to push.
There are so many awesome times but I cant really give you one I guess. To top it all off rolling through a toliet paper line at 10.07am on the 10/1/010 and jumping off the board realising I’d just lived my dream and conquered New Zealand on a longboard!!
We have raised about $4000 dollers so far and will continue to fundraise over the next few months which will help us hit the $10000 goal. The money goes to the Nelson Region Hospice and the Nelson Cancer Society
We’re working on the freedomskate movie “Living the Dream” What’s next for me? There’s a huge planet out there with many more causes that need to be skated for over all types of countries! For me just gonna keep rolling!!!
Big Skate Home
Keith O’Leary is currently nearing the end of a skate journey he has nicknamed Hamburg to Home. Skating for the Berkshire based Children’s charity Daisy’s Dream, Keith has so far raised over £300 and has travelled around 100km per day on his way home, carrying everything in a rucksack.
Please visit http://www.justgiving.com/bigskatehome/
Hatwell for Help the Heroes
Laura Hatwell is three weeks into her seven week longboard tour of Scotland’s perimeter. Experiencing psychological and topological highs and lows, Laura continues to pace on. Her effort were recognised by Scottish TV, click here to see the piece and please leave a comment below to lift her spirits!
You can donate to Laura’s Help the Heroes campaign at http://www.justgiving.com/northseaskate/
And read her blog at http://northseaskate.co.uk/
Freedom Skate Promo
Tomo Chisnall is in his final preparations for a length of New Zealand skateboard journey, in support of cancer research.
BoardFree Ireland
We’ve featured Alan Smyth’s length of Ireland skateboard trip before but have just found a little video that Alan filmed leading up to the trip. Take a look…
North Sea Perimeter: SkateVenture!
Laura Hatwell, the only woman to date who has skated 100 miles in one day, has set off on another longboarding adventure, this time around the coast of Scotland. Laura is famous in British skating circles for having the cheekiest and smiliest face you could possibly imagine, so it’s no surprise that her 700 mile skateventure has some goodwill involved – it’s all to raise money for Help The Heroes.
You can follow Laura’s journey on her website, and pop along to her Justgiving site and donate here
Longboarding London to Brighton
Those pesky longboards may appear to be hijacking cycling events, but by Merlin’s beard they’re effective. Callum Sims managed the 54 mile journey on his deck last weekend, in support of www.charlottemillerartproject.co.uk. Well done Callum.
Callum Sims at the top of Ditchling Beacon, a fine view of Brighton from here!
Since the event started in 1980 the ride has raised an incredible £46 million for the British Heart Foundation and other charities. Celebrities like writer/comedian Dave Gorman take part to boost the numbers, and this year over 27,000 riders took to the roads. Find out more about the London to Brighton by clicking here
Length of Britain, by Skateboard
Ben Colchester-Hall leaves John O’Groats today, on a long skateboard. The length of Britain journey from Scotland’s most Northerly point to Lands End, in South Western Cornwall, has only been skated twice before (By Dave Cornthwaite and Ben Stiff) but if this journey succeeds it will be the first by an unsupported rider. Good luck Ben!
Lush Longboards Charity Skate
On Saturday 6th June over 120 longboarders gathered at Bath Spa station in the UK and proceeded to skate 16 miles to Bristol in aid of the National Autistic Society. Then some of them skated BACK, as well!
To date this year’s event has raised £2671.45 and the total is still rising. To give it a bump, donate or find out more at www.justgiving.com/lushlongboards2009
Amazing effort everyone, and a big thank you to Jo Coles for organising! Here’s to next year…
Skate Japan
Jaakko Ståhle from Finland is planning a 2000 mile cross-Japan skateboard journey in the summer of 2009. Jaakko is riding in support of the Red Cross Finland Blood Service, and you can read his blog right here. Great effort so far.
