Challenge 12# - show me your moves!

Oh I'm nervous about this one! Whereas everyone else is decidedly smug. The challenge is to perform a 60 second dance routine...with my dog. Missy is cute, cuddly and lazy. She is no Pudsey. The challenger Sophie knows this so I'm sure this makes it all the more entertaining.

Sophie's first stipulation was that it had to include 3 tricks and only one could be sit/lay down. Now Missy on occasion sits on command, she has never laid down on command. When we took her to puppy training she won a 'special award'. This was largely for being cute and hiding under the benches from the other dogs.

Her second stipulation was matching outfits...

So I'll keep you posted on my progress and if you want a laugh you know the deal - www.justgiving.com/30before30sense

Challenge 11# - Winster Map

This is a really interesting and enjoyable challenge for me, kindly suggested by two lovely friends from the village I grew up in - Cynthia and Wendy.

The Challenge

Identify all properties in Winster & produce a map that is available, day and night, to anyone to assist with swift and easy location of any Winster address.

Background

Winster is a village where many properties are known by name only & those that have a number are not conventionally identified i.e. odd numbers on one side of a road & evens on the other side. Emergency services such as ambulances, doctors, nurses, gas, electricity & water, where a minute lost is critical in saving lives, can be delayed particularly at night time. Also with many of us ordering goods via the internet there is a huge increase in delivery vehicles patrolling the village trying to locate properties.

Our shop has a steady stream of people (delivery drivers, holiday cottage renters & visitors) asking for locations, as is the case when we villagers are often approached in the street for assistance. 

This challenge is doubly important to me as it is lovely to be raising money whilst also providing a valauble service. We are hoping to gain sponsorship from other properties in the village so if anyone would like to find out more please contact me directly on rachbuckley30@gmail.com.

Remember you can support this or any other challenge through donating at www.justgiving.com/30before30sense

 

Challenge 10# - Epic Walk

I love walking with my friend Scarlett and the dogs so my initial reaction to this challenge was a big smile at something easy. Then she mentioned the walk was to Sheffield and I realised I was facing much more like a marathon than a quiet stroll with the pups. My next thought was there was no way my little King Charles Cavalier could walk that far (followed by a niggling voice as to whether I could!)

But Scarlett is doing it with me and this is a girl who did a 5 hour spin challenge for charity so I don't doubt her willpower and that she'll keep me going!

If you would like to be involved we would love company and the more people to get sponsored the better.

More details to follow when we know the date and route.

Remember you can support this or any other challenge by donating on www.justgiving.com/30before30sense

Completed Challenge 7# - I'm a Teacher...

Day in 3 words? Fear. Stench. Adrenaline.

We finally completed our I'm A Teacher Get Me Out Of Here event at my work. I was totally humbled by the amount of students that attended and then humbled all over again by donations of both time and money from staff. We made over £100 which is enough to pay for vital first assessments for 2 deafblind children. The difference that would make to their lives is phenomenal.

I was so busy organising the event I forgot how terrified I would be until I didn't sleep and was standing in front of over 70 eager faces trying not to cry. I'm very proud of myself and the rest of the team today and the adrenaline is still flowing. As countless people have said to me today it just shows what you can overcome when you're doing it for someone else.

Thank you to everybody that helped me overcome a fear and make a difference.

Remember you can visit my page to support this or any other challenge. www.justgiving.com/30before30sense

Some montage photos below of the event!

Challenge 9# - Sensory Walk for Seniors!

This challenge has come through my mum and dad and is a very pleasant one. They are part of a walking group and have nominated me to run a walk in the summer incorporating a rare meadow near my house. It is a challenge for me as though I walk my dog on a regular basis we trot along at our own pace without a care in the world.

For this challenge I need to plan an interesting, engaging and appropriate walk for others. I will also be inviting the ramblers into my home and asking for donations for refeshments. As someone who doesn't drink tea and coffee; I also need to hone my domestic skills! Thankfully I have until August the 5th and am hoping for a bit of sensory sunshine too.

To support this or any other challenge please donate at www.justgiving.com/30before30sense

Completed Challenge 5# - Healthy Eating

Phew! Won't pretend I didn't find this one hard. As you can see from the photo below the amount of calories I have consumed today differs greatly from the February diet. Plus that's even with a little exercise knocking some off!

It has taught me some things though: 1) I can do it. I know it sounds lame but I have attempted to give up foods or eat healthily in the past and never succeeded. 2) The motivation of doing it for charity goes a long way, when my will power wavered I remembered my reason behind it. 3) I am a picky eater and associate a lot of my feelings with food. When I'd had a good day or was glad to get in my smaller clothes I was fully on board. When I was tired and grouchy I really struggled.

Ultimately I have all my senses to make food decisions and cannot imagine eating food I can't see, that I don't know the name of and no-one is describing to me. So don't donate for my whingeing or the pig out I had today. Donate for those who live a far more challenging life than me and never complain.

Remember you can donate to support this or nominate your own challenge at www.justgiving.com/30before30sense

Completed Challenge 1# - Toddler Time!

Well...hats off to parents, grandparents, nursery staff and anyone else who spends a lot of time with toddlers. It was hardcore! Despite several attempts to wear her out it was me that ended up exhausted. We played every game possible, I got too stuck into Mr Tumble and missed her drawing on the table, went to the playmill, the farm and had one major projectile vomiting incident. It was hilarious, heartwarming, exhausting and frustrating all rolled into one.

I kept reminding myself how easy I had it in comparison with parents of a child with any kind of disability. Everyone's advice was to have a few glasses of wine and stock up on the chocolate. I didn't plan it too well coinciding it with the healthy eating challenge!

So thank you for the donations, 1 completely down, 8 days left on the health kick (not that I'm counting). But remember there are plenty more challenges to go! You can nominate your own or donate to support this or any other challenge at www.justgiving.com/30before30sense