JUNE 2009 NEWSLETTER


Lifestart

Dear Supporters, After another very busy and productive twelve months it is that time of year again. I have just returned from Vietnam and I am once again full swing into planning the Lifestart Foundation Annual Dinner Dance and CharityAuction for 2009. Your help to make this yet another successful event would be most appreciated

Lifestart Foundation Christmas in July
Dinner Dance And Silent Auction
Saturday 25th of July 2009

WHERE:
501 Receptions, 501 Barkly Street, Footscray, Melbourne
WHEN:
Saturday 25th July at 6:30pm
MUSIC:
Minute By Minute, A 7 Piece Band
DRESS:
Black Tie
COST:
$70 per person, Table of 10: $700, Table of 12: $840
INCLUDES:
3 Course Dinner, Wine, Beer & Soft Drink

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Table Captains needed
This simply means that we need 35 people to put together a table of friends or family and have the ticket money paid by June 25th or earlier if at all possible. Tickets are printed, so please register your interest and they can be sent to you now.

Donations needed for the Charity Auction
We would welcome donations of goods and or services that we can auction on the night. We are processing and receiving donations now. They can be dropped off or delivered to 182 Buckley Street, Essendon. 3040.Victoria. Australia. Again if these can be received early this would be a great help to the volunteer committee.

cyclists

Lifestart Foundation Charity Fundraising Challenges!

VIETNAM CYCLE NORTH TO SOUTH
12 days ex Australia | Cycling Challenge | Vietnam


RAW Challenges brings you one of the most exciting and spectacular cycling journeys in Vietnam. Hanoi to Saigon is without question, one of the worlds great bike rides.

We witness a real variety of riding and cultural sights as we work our way down the length of Vietnam. At times we will be cycling the scenic highway coastal route and also get off the beaten track into the little visited central highlands with their hill tribe populations. Vietnam is an experience to savour and the bicycle is the ideal way to explore this country of ever changing landscapes, from palm fringed beaches, to ancient towns, fishing villages, misty highlands and bustling Saigon this a trip of real contrasts. This event has enormous appeal to anyone with a sense of adventure and is a worthy goal for cyclists of all levels.

Trip Itineary

  • Day 1 - Midday arrival into Hanoi
  • Day 2 - Explore Hanoi/Overnight train to Hue.
  • Day 3 - Hue. Introductory ride
  • Day 4 - Cycling to Lang Co
  • Day 5 - Cycling to Hoi An
  • Day 6 - Free day in Hoi An
  • Day 7 - Cycling to Tam Ky
  • Day 8 - Cycling to Quang Ngai
  • Day 9 - Cycling/driving to Kon Tum
  • Day 10 - Cycling/driving to Pleiku
  • Day 11 - Flight to Saigon & celebrate
  • Day 12 - Saigon. Evening departure

What's Included

  • Experienced cycling leader and local guides
  • All accommodation, twin share
  • Support vehicle
  • Good quality, multi geared mountain Bike
  • Local support team
  • Water and snacks on cycle days
  • All transport by private vehicle
  • Domestic flight & overnight train
  • Most meals (see itinerary for details)

What's Excluded

  • International airfares
  • Vietnam visa
  • Travel insurance
  • Tipping for local crew
  • Bike helmet & bike water bottle

On the Bikes
There will be early starts on cycling days. We operate a sweep system whereby the truck that carries the equipment, water and snacks will be out front as the lead vehicle. One of the guides will be the front marker - no one can go in front of this guide. We also have a back marker with the private bus in the rear.

It is not a race and every 20Km or so we will pull up off the road to allow the back of the group to catch up, refill our water bottles and eat some snacks before setting off again. Lunch will invariably be a picnic at the side of the road and we expect to reach our night destination late afternoon. Every evening there will be a briefing as to
the next day's logistics' and timings. Click here for our guide on preparing for cycling tours

More Info?
Need to know more about this trip? Drop us an email or telephone us on (03) 9597 0799.
SEE BELOW FOR FULL CONTACT INFORMATION

Booking
If you're ready to book just click on the date of your departure and complete our simple 3-step booking form online. You can confirm your booking by credit card online or over the phone.

Book Now: 2009 Nov 07 - 2009 Nov 18
Book Now: 2010 Mar 13 - 2010 Mar 24

Fundraise $4500 for the cost of the trip (excluding airfares) for Lifestart Foundation and you just pay a personal deposit of $500 at the time of registering.

_____________________________________________________________

raw

THE AMAZING RACE ACROSS ASIA
11 days ex Saigon | Amazing Race Challenge | Vietnam, Cambodia &
Thailand


Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime as you and a friend pit yourself against fellow travellers in a race full of fun, excitement and new experiences.

Expect the unexpected as you Race through cities and countryside solving challenges as you go, this is a fun filled event that crosses two international borders and takes you on whole variety of experiences through Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. You'll see many well known and beautiful places and at other times venture right off the beaten track.

Highlights of the race include Ho Chi Minh city, the Mekong delta, a boat up the Mekong river, the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, the ancient Temple city of Angkor Wat & Siem Reap, and an exciting finish line in the bustling capital of Bangkok.

You will race in teams of two and face a variety of challenges set for you each day that will involve you interacting with the local culture and people, learning about the awesome places you'll visit, testing your mental and physical prowess but most of all having fun!

You'll find yourself using a variety of local transport on a boat up the Mekong, pedalling a bicycle through Cambodian villages, riding an elephant, or racing a tuk-tuk through the streets of Bangkok. The winner gets $1000 prize money but it's all about the fun and experiences alongthe way.

Trip Itineary

  • Day 1 - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
  • Days 2-3 - Mekong Delta, Vietnam
  • Days 4-5 - Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • Days 6-8 - Angkor Wat Cambodia
  • Days 9-11 - Bangkok, Thailand

What's Included

  • Daily challenge budget
  • Transfers
  • All accommodation
  • All activities
  • Entrance fees
  • Western and local support team
  • Local Sim cards
  • All transport
  • Most meals see itinerary for details

What's Excluded

  • International airfares
  • Vietnam & Cambodian visas
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal spending money

More Info?
Need to know more about this trip? Drop us an email or telephone us on (03) 9597 0799.
SEE BELOW FOR CONTACT INFORMATION

Booking
If you're ready to book just click on the date of your departure and complete our simple 3-step booking form online. You can confirm your booking by credit card online or over the phone.

Book Now: 2009 Nov 29 - 2009 Dec 09
Book Now: 2010 Feb 14 - 2010 Feb 24

Fundraise $4500 for the cost of the trip (excluding airfares) for Lifestart Foundation and you just pay a personal deposit of $500 at the time of registering.


Raw Challenge Contact Information

The offices of RAW Challenges are in Sandringham, Melbourne Australia. Standard enquiries can be made during the hours of 9am to 5pm weekdays only.

Address: 2/24 Bay Road, Sandringham 3191, Victoria, Australia
Telephone: Office: (03) 9597 0210, Facsimile: (03) 9597 0797
Calling from outside Australia: +61 3 9597 0210, Direct line for Dave Reynolds: (03) 9597 0799

Website: www.rawchallenges.com

Email Inquiries: ask@rawchallenges.com
Email Dave: dave@rawchallenges.com
Email Angela: angela@rawchallenges.com

Make a difference to your life and someone else's.

Wish List

Old Mobile Phones
Don't throw away your old mobile phone! LSF can use these for communication between Karen, the street kids and volunteers when she is working in Vietnam. The phones are also given to many disabled people who are without any form of communication. Phones need to be in working order and we must be able to put in a sim card. We cannot use phones that are locked.

Transportation of donated goods: Are you traveling to Vietnam?
Throughout the year many people donate clothing to Karen to take to the orphans and street kids in Vietnam . The a mount of clothing being donated now exceeds Karen excess baggage limits!

LSF desperately needs people to take some of this clothing to Vietnam . LSF can supply the bag and will also pay for security wrapping at the airport. If you would like to pack the bag yourself that can be arranged.
Please let Karen know how many kilo's you are able to transport.

 

Lots of love from Karen
www.lifestartfoundation.org.au