Mongolia Five – The Mongol Rally 2011
  • Fundraising
  • June30th

    Well and truly on the home straight now, and after what’s been a tough couple of months in terms of getting our team together, we decided to get together last Sunday for  a barbecue and some final prep.  After truly terrible weather in Manchester for the whole week, the omens looked good when the sun came out and gave us the hottest day of the year so far.

    It was a day of firsts.  The first time Nick or Ben had met Kelly, the first time we’d ever all been together in Sheila as team when she was actually moving and the first time Kelly had driven her at all.  We took some pictures, we ate some burgers and we all got a bit worried about the heat – it was sweaty in Manchester.  It’s going to be an oven in Kazakhstan.  No matter, we’re tough!

    Also important is for us to give a huge shout out to our two latest financial sponsors who have been incredibly generous in partnering up with us to help with our costs.  Weightmans Liverpool and Lawrence Clarke Limited both now have their logos proudly displayed for all to see on the side of our beloved Sheila.  Guys, thank you so much – we wouldn’t be able to do this without your generosity.

    On a completely separate note, we have two (yes TWO!) Mongolia Five parties organised prior to our departure, both to raise more money for Breakthrough Breast Cancer.  If you fancy giving your liver a bit of a workout whilst supporting a great charity, then you can bob along to either the Dee Sailing Club, Station Road, Wirral on Friday July 8th at 7.30 pm or The Junction Pub, Green Lane, Middleton, Manchester on Saturday July 16th from 8pm.  Both of these events are limited ticket only – please get hold of us either on Facebook or using our contact form for details on how to get yours.

    Finally, we’re still a bit desperate for gear and kit.  Please take a moment to check over our wish list.  If you’ve anything to give, then let us know.

     

    110626 18119 600x384 The Home Straight
    110626 18126 600x384 The Home Straight
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  • June23rd

    We had a message from the lovely folks at Aubergine Cafe, West Kirby. They kindly invited us to come and sample their afternoon tea AND they have kindly offered Mongolia 5 supporters it for £10.00 per person reduced from £12.50. The best bit is that 50% of each tea party will be donated to Mongolia 5. All you have to do is ring Aubergine (0151 625 2662) to make a reservation and say that we sent you.

    You get a fantastic amount of fresh finger sandwiches, a selection of delicious pastries, fresh English scones served with cream and strawberries AND the most delicious cakes I’ve tasted in aggges. Choose from a range of fresh loose leaf teas alongside a beautiful glass of special non-alcoholic fizz. All served on a traditional three-tier stand with bone china cups and saucers. I can’t stress how delicious it was. So thank you Aubergine!

    Here’s a few snaps from our taster!

    110608 13180 600x424 Oh what a lovely Tea Party!
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  • May11th

    We were lucky enough to be invited along to a tour of Breakthrough Breast Cancer’s Research Unit in Manchester today.  It was a stunning tour, showing exactly where the money we’re raising is being spent on the very front line of Breast Cancer research.  We had a chance to speak to Professor Tony Howell, the unit’s director, who shared with us the recent work done on the unit, including an amazing new breakthrough in the way cancer cells communicate with healthy surrounding cells.  This was discovered only last friday, and it was wonderful to see Professor Howell and his scientific and clinical colleagues so excited and animated to be talking about a potential discovery of huge importance.  It’s literally true that there has never been a better or more exciting time to be involved in raising funds for Breakthrough.  You can donate easily online by clicking here.110511 11684 600x385 Mongolia Five visit to Breakthroughs Research Centre Read More | Comments

  • April30th

    Thanks so much to everyone who came down to the street party in West Kirby yesterday and let me take their picture for a quid. Think we made about £35 which isn’t too shoddy for 2 hours work. You can view, download high resolution file and even order prints direct from the gallery below. Thanks folks!

     West Kirby Portraits for a Pound
    Mongolia 5 – Donators || West Kirby – 29.04.11 – Images by Matt Thomas

    Ill be doing more and more of these in the run up to the rally. Thanks again everyone, enjoy the photographs.

    - Matt x

  • April22nd

    queenletter t Letter From Her Majesty The Queen

    Click to enlarge

    We wrote to Her Majesty The Queen a while back telling her about our taking part in the rally.  We didn’t really expect a reply because of the amount of letters she receives, so we were absolutely delighted when we got a letter back from her lady in waiting.

    Anyone who’s watched the recent documentaries of the royal family at work will know that only a tiny fraction of all the post she receives is handed on to Her Majesty, and only then does she order a reply to be written.

    So, we’re dead chuffed to get a reply and especially one that shows how knowledgeable she is about the subject and how she’s clearly read our letter.

  • February17th

    sdj Message Of Support From Sir David JasonIt was lovely to open our emails this morning and find a message of support for our Breakthrough Breast Cancer fundraising from Sir David Jason OBE.  As well as being one of the country’s foremost BAFTA-winning actors and the star of British TV classics like Only Fools And Horses and Frost, Sir David, like our team, is a man who’s life was changed by female breast cancer.  In 1995, Sir David’s long term partner Myfanwy Talog died of breast cancer just 20 days from her 51st birthday, having been nursed through the final stages of her illness by Sir David himself.

    We offer our sincere thanks to Sir David for taking the time to give us this message of support:

    “Breakthrough Breast Cancer will benefit enormously from the contribution Team Mongolia Five are making towards their fundraising efforts.  I wish the team every success with their race and that, through their donation, the charity will go on to research and improve the lives of those people affected by this life-changing illness.  Please give them your support – you know it makes sense!”

    To donate to Breakthrough, please use the JustGiving badge on the front page of our website or click here

  • April1st

    title nick Well get by with a little help...If you’ve not done already, you should really check out the Douglas Car, who did the rally in 2009 also and raised a crate load of cash for Helen & Douglas House who provide hospices for children and young adults.  Not only are their videos fantastic and funny, but they’re also very nice guys.  One of their team, Dave, has been kind enough to reply to my pestering and provided us with some sound advice for potential teams, and some good tips on fundraising.  Thanks a lot, Dave!  Apparently he wants to see us in false boobs and pink t-shirts though.  We’re fat enough not to need falsies, and only Matt would wear pink, so that’s a no from us on that front.