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We've officially got 7 days and counting until race day! We can't believe how quickly the last two months have gone by, but we can't wait to finally be participating in the Nut Challenge race after all our hard work and training.

 At time of writing, we have raised £530.58 which we are all delighted with and which will get us ever closer to naming our very own guide dog puppy.

 Dan, Gavin and I have been continuing with our training as well as starting to think about the race day itself...more specifically the cold weather!

 Gavin is already used to running and cycling in all weathers so he is well prepared, however Dan and I had to purchase some thermal sportswear from a well-known sports retailer yesterday. We are now ready for the race and even have padded, fingerless cycling gloves (to overcome the climbing obstacles) and cycling socks to keep the heat in....who knew you could buy cycling socks!

 We also have our Guide Dogs t-shirts ready for the race thanks to the Guide Dogs Events Team. The photo above is of our team meeting in sunny Weymouth last weekend.

 The other piece of good news is that my article on our Guide Dogs fundraising challenge will soon be published in World Dog magazine. World Dog magazine is edited and produced by JCI Dublin member, Thaynan Mariano Costa who JCI Reading have worked closely  with over the past 6 months, in order to raise awareness of Guide Dogs for the Blind in the UK as well as JCI Reading's fundraising for the cause.

 A big thank you to all who have donated and sponsored us for Guide Dogs, a fantastic charity which provides mobility and freedom to blind and partially sighted people as well as campaigns for the rights of people with visual impairment. In addition, few people realise that Guide Dogs also educate the public about eye care and funds eye disease research. I think Guide Dogs' visions sums up the charity and its work perfectly:

"We will not rest until blind and partially sighted people can enjoy the same freedom of movement as everyone else."

 All in all, it has been an exciting few weeks for Dan, Gavin and I which has included lots of training and preparation for the challenge next Saturday.

 Remember you can donate via our fundraising page at www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/JCIReading4GuideDogs

 Wish us well everyone!

 Lynda, Dan and Gavin

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Where do I start this evening in telling you about my JCI day! I've not long got home from Birmingham - having attended national JCI training-JCI Achieve and JCI Impact. That's the great thing about joining your local JCI chamber-you're joining a whole national and international membership.

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It's now the end of our 3^rd week of training and we have 35 days to go until our Nuts Challenge...the time is flying by!

Last week we had to move our training indoors due to the snowy weather in the South East...we didn't want to take any chances slipping on the snow and ice and doing ourselves an injury, especially as we get closer to D-Day!

Week 2 saw Gavin fly off to Amsterdam for work, so training was put on hold for him until he returned. However, he's certainly made up for it now with 20km cycles reaching 33mph (!) and lots of rowing and cycling in between.

Dan's been hitting the gym almost every day after work, running and training with weights as well as taking up 5-a-side football. Unfortunately Dan dislocated his knee this week so has to rest for the next few days. He's hoping to be back up and running next week but we'll have to wait and see what the Doctor says. We'll keep you posted.

As for me, I now have a new found love for swimming and it's all because of the snow! As I couldn't get out running in the snow, I started to think about the next best alternative. I'm not really a big fan of the gym and would prefer to try another sport so I thought I'd give swimming a shot...and low and behold I've found my new favourite sport! In fact, I'm off to the swimming pool in a minute for my third swim of the week :-)

All in all, we've had a mixed bag with our training over the past two weeks but we're all still really determined and have been encouraging each other with our "Nuts Challenge" Whatsapp messages! Go team!:-)

You can sponsor us at www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/JCIReading4GuideDogs with all money raised going towards our £5,000 target this year for Guide Dogs.

Thank you all for your support and kind donations,

Lynda, Dan and Gavin

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Dan, Gavin and I have now finished our first week of training for the "Nuts Challenge" and have officially 47 days before we take part in the muddy, arduous military assault course to raise £500 for Guide Dogs for the Blind - JCI Reading's Charity of the Year

Unfortunately my training had to be postponed this week as I came down with a horrible bout of the flu...perfect timing, eh?! However, Dan and Gavin have been doing the sponsors proud with lots of training. There has been 20km bike rides, 10km runs most days as well as weight training, trips to the gym and protein shakes. My training officially starts tomorrow with a run after work to see how far I can actually run without stopping for a breather J I'll let you know how I get on next week!

I spoke with Sonia, the Nuts Challenge organiser, this week as well as JCI Manchester's Caroline McCarron, who completed the Tough Mudder last year, to gain some hints and tips for training. Caroline's advice was to start training as early as possible and build up your training slowly but surely. Sonia explained that lots of running and cardio will get me through the toughest parts of the course as well as building up my arm muscles to overcome obstacles such as the cargo nets and rope swings! Eek! Nevertheless, the best piece of advice was from Caroline who added "Simply enjoy it!" That's what it's all about - doing a challenge as part of a team which will raise money for a great charity and enjoying every minute of it from training to finish.

Please help us raise money for Guide Dogs and sponsor us as we train and participate in one of the toughest military assault courses! www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/JCIReading4GuideDogs

We appreciate your support, Lynda, Danand Gavin

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As it says this will take you 2 minutes at most and you will be helping the 5 young people from the UK who in their own way are trying to inspire a generations.

Each year JCI runs the 'JCI Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World (JCI TOYP) Program' this is a way of honouring people that make a difference through, social, political, environmental and entrepreneurial actions.  Previous winner have included JFK and Elvis Presley.

In the UK we can be a bit too 'British' about giving and receiving recognition and rarely shout about our achievements, well with our recent Olympic success I hope that has changed.

JCI UK have 5 people (that is 25%) of the finalists this year and they need your support to ensure they get through to the final 10 honourees. These are young people that will be representing the UK for years to come and you can help be part of their continued success.

The final stage includes a public vote, so please click on the 5 links below of the UK entrants then 'like' each of the profile. Technically this will take you seconds to do, and I would encourage you to read their profiles too, as they are people that you will hear about in the years to come.

Jamie (nominated by JCI Reading)
http://www.jci.cc/toypvote/home.php?n=12

Bobby - http://www.jci.cc/toypvote/home.php?n=4
Rabia - http://www.jci.cc/toypvote/home.php?n=18
Andre - http://www.jci.cc/toypvote/home.php?n=2
Katherine - http://www.jci.cc/toypvote/home.php?n=14

I would like to thank you for your help, as your actions will help promote JCI UK on the international stage within JCI and therefore have a bigger impact here at home in the UK

Also - This year JCI Reading Nominated Jamie Dunn (from Birmingham) next year we would much rather nominate some home grown Berkshire talent, so please contact me about this.

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Nearly 2 years ago I virtually met a young entrepreneur who had big ambitions. Twitter is a great place to meet people, and that is another blog post!

 I made the choice to get to know him and see if I could help him along on his already successful journey.  I knew that helping him would help me and we now act as mutual mentors helping eachother make decisions and encouraging ideas.

All the time I have known Jamie I knew that at some point I would be nominating Jamie for the JCI Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World (JCI TOYP) Program and I wanted to see him walk the walk rather than just talk the talk.   

Well as I mentioned above Jamie and I now mentor each other and I have seen him walk the walk many time, putting in the work, knowing where he is going and making an opportunities where others fear to even look let alone walk.

So back in May 2012 I downloaded the application forms asked Jamie to fill out the basics, and set to work writing an application to see if other feel (as I do) that he truly is one of the JCI Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World.

Yesterday I received the email informing us that Jamie has made it through to the next round where the final 20 are again judged by a panel, but also voted for by the public.

This is where you can help.

Please read Jamie's profile and if you feel he deserves to be recognised for his achievements simply click the like button at the bottom of the profile page.

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2012 marks the 30th anniversary of the JCI Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World (JCI TOYP) Program. Just like the first set of JCI TOYP Honorees from 1983, this year's ten honorees will be celebrated at the JCI World Congress held in Taipei, Taiwan.

For those of you that do not know JCI it has around 170,000 members in 110 countries around the world

JCI TOYP serves to formally recognize young people who excel in their chosen fields and create positive change. By recognizing these young people, JCI raises the status of socially responsible leaders in this world. The honorees motivate their peers to seek excellence and serve others. Their stories of discovery, determination and ingenuity inspire young people to be better leaders and create better societies.

Since 1983, JCI has honored over 200 individuals from 47 nations. Past recipients of national awards include such well-known personalities as John F. Kennedy, Henry Kissinger, Elvis Presley, Jackie Chan, Wayne Gretzky and many more, all named before the age of 40 and before they had achieved national prominence. Honorees selected in past years have represented the heights of progress in numerous human endeavors. Many have gone on to even greater achievements. All have continued to serve humanity in a great variety of ways.

Young men and women may be nominated in one of ten categories. The honorees will be selected by an international panel of distinguished judges. Up to ten honorees will be selected from all nominations received, regardless of category entered.
You can click the following link if you would like more details about TOYP

In order to commemorate this momentous occasion, JCI is inviting young people around the world to participate in selecting the 2012 JCI TOYP Honorees. Along with the traditional final judging panel, comprised of representatives of select partner organizations and the JCI President, there is also be a public popular online vote.

The to support the Young Entrepreneur that was nominated by JCI Reading (and who is through to the final 20 Outstanding young people of the world click here and ‘like’ his profile

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Have you ever wondered how to read braille?

Ever wanted to meet a Guide Dog owner and their dog?

Ever seen a visually impaired person struggling to cross road and not known how best to help? 

Or wondered how a person with sight problems manage to do every day tasks, like making a cup of tea, that many of us just take for granted?

This week I have confirmed the booking at Reading District Oddfellows Hall on the Oxford Road in Reading for JCI Reading's Sensory Awareness evening in support of Guide Dogs for the Blind on Thursday 26th July 2012 from 6.30pm. The evening is suitable for all and you do not have to be a JCI Reading member .

The evening will offer a fantastic and rare opportunity, whether you just have an interest, want to find out more about the charity and its work or just want to know how to assist a visually impaired person you meet in daily life, be it in the workplace, business or elsewhere. 

JCI Reading member Lynda Harwood, who also works for Guide Dogs for the Blind, has taken the lead in organising the evening with help from our local Guide Dogs for the Blind supporter's group. She is planning a fun, informative and interactive evening with a wide range of activities for all to participate in - learn to read braille, experience different types of visual impairment, make a cup of tea blind, try out some available aids to household tasks, meet a guide dog, find out about ttheir training and work, not to mention the amazing impact they have upon their owner's lives. 

Places for this workshop are strictly limited so sign up soon to avoid disappointment. 

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The gazebo has been packed away after Sunday's stand at the East Reading Festival and the sun burn has dampened down - amazing since we arrived with plenty of polythene sheeting to protect our stand from the expected downpours!

Anyway, we not only had great fun meeting lots of people and publising Guide Dogs for the Blind, we made cash for them too, and the moment we've all been waiting for............Drumroll.......

Name the Dog Competition - £30.00

Second Hand Book Sales - £22.00

On the day sponsored walk entry donations - £17.50

Tombola and Guide Dog merchandise sales - £153.83

Go Walkies Sponsorship - £113.00 (as far as we know at the moment!)

Grand Total -    £336.33

JCI Reading continues to look for support in the collecting of used postage stamps, unwanted books, dvds, cds, linens, shoes and good quality bric-a-brac.

Please email me at clare.f@jcireading.co.uk to arrange drop off of donations or for other information.  

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Wow! What a day! 

JCI Reading took their Guide Dog campaign to the East Reading Festival today with a family stall. Fears about the weather went unfounded as the sun came out, leaving JCI members bathed in the sun! 

The big news of the afternoon was that we didn't just run the one sponsored 'Go Walkies' dog walk but in fact ran a second walk later as dog owners signed up to enter. At the helm on each walk was 'Oatey' a retired guide dog from Reading, who continues his working life in retirement as 'the face of the Go Walkies' campaign, appearing on leaflets and drawing the crowds to our stall. 

JCI members also ran a 'Name the Dog' competition and second hand books all in aid of Guide Dogs. We were also joined by Barbara and Mavis of the Reading Guide Dog Supporters group who brought along their Guide Dog tombola and merchandise, as well as their skills in running a stall and of course their endless and valuable knowledge of Guide Dogs. 

JCI members finished the day tired but satisfied - and a little sunburnt!!!! Check back soon for photos from the day and the results of our takings count! What a cliffhanger!!!!!!!!

Totals for the day are in......

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