Walk the Talk

Fewer things in life are more satisfying that completing a personal challenge. It feels even much better when the challenge involves a great cause and a fantastic group of people.

On the 30^th of April we left Dublin to walk the first stage of the “Camino de Santiago” in Portugal, in aids of K.I.D.S. Argentina. The walk has proven to be a “once in a lifetime experience”, in which we enjoyed many activities, met new people, learned new songs and lessons.

We have walked more than 160 Kilometres, enjoying the calm of Portugal, a beautiful landscape, the sound of the wind with the singing birds and the kindness of each person we met in different villages or along the walk.

Sometimes we might have walked in the wrong direction but we always found the way and this has also made our journey fun and unique.

Such experience would not have been possible without the support of all of you.

Thanks to everyone who has been involved in this event and who has sponsored our initiative.

If anyone else would like to keep cooperating, please feel more than welcome!

Thanks again and we will keep you posted on the next future events.

Best Wishes,

Johnny

On Our Way To Portugal

Aerlingus International Flight will depart on the 30^th of April to Lisboa.

Last few weeks have kept me busy organizing stuff and getting ready for our trip, my personal life and at work... so I couldn’t keep updating the Blog as much as I would have liked to.

After our party, on which we raised 650 Euro from our Sponsors and friends, we had also a great time getting fit for “The Walk” at Phoenix Park and “Athy 3 Counties River Walk”, thanks to everyone that joined us for your support!

By the way, pictures of our party will soon be uploaded; we are just experiencing some technical issues!

On my trip to Madrid I also had the chance to train, as I walked at least 5 hours a day for 3 days in a row; unfortunately I strained my ankle for the first time in my life, in which I have done many sports and weird things, could have never imagine that I would get an injury walking around a city!! No worries, it has been painful but a fun experience, it seems that in order to succeed this new goal I will also have to overcome to some obstacles!

Now I have another reason to be thankful again for the person that has supported me during this period. Probably I have thanked everyone too much, but it’s never enough from my point of view.

I had a great birthday celebration, thanks to all my friends and my colleagues that have once again supported me for this adventure. We have other 50 Euros to add and we are really close to complete our goal of 1000.

Please, keep an eye on the Blog or follow us through Facebook. We’ll be adding pictures of the walk.

This summer KIDS Party for Friend’s Day Celebration will be a great occasion for all of us to meet again.

All the best and have a great Easter Week end!

Thank You!

We finally had our Party and Raffle Event last Friday 4th of March at the Waterloo Bar in Baggot Street. I’m really happy with the results of the event and I’m even happier that many of my friends have taken their time to join the party with great enthusiasm.

Sometimes words are too predictable and obvious for each occasion; they can also be unnecessary overwhelming and honestly I can not find all the exact words that I need to express how grateful I feel. If there are any type of blessings in life, meeting an amazing group of people in Dublin, has been one of them for me!

There are many people that I would like to thank and I don’t want to forget anyone. (Forgive me If I do!).

During the last couple of month, while I decided to be part of this great initiative from KIDS; Cora and Florencia have been helping me so much, with ideas, prizes and giving me a lot of courage to engage this adventure; I wouldn't have even started without them. Lucho once again has showed interest in the activities and as usual has been of a great help by promoting the event. Daniela has given an amazing hand by sponsoring me with her friends and buying a huge number of raffle tickets. Juanjo (Alatryste Photography) as the first Sponsor! Joel, for creating a beautiful logo for my adventure!

Tommy as well has gotten quite a few tickets and has contacted me with a great Sponsor: Lorcan, representing Foxford and Admiral Brown Society, who has provided us with a great Prize for our Raffle; Adam from Jameson Ireland has provided the Big Price for the nigh. Francesco, as usual, has been really supportive during all this time, along with his Friend Ivan, who has printed the raffle tickets at a really convenient price. Renato, unfortunately couldn’t make it to the party but he has been really kind helping and sponsoring the event. Gabriela for arriving always punctual, with a great energy and inviting friends, helping with the raffle and the usual good mood.
Eddie as well has been really supportive during the last two months and providing me with great ideas. Buying 2 tickets for the Jameson Raffle has paid of for him and everyone was glad he was the winner as he had to leave the party to cover his shift at work! Juan Pablo from "Argentino Grill"; Tony and Gabriela from "Bondiola Argentina": thanks for all your help and for joining us on Friday.

My Friends from Genoa Club Dublino, who are always involved in all the events with lot’s of enthusiasm and are, along with the Argentineans, the best football supporters in Dublin: Thank you!!

To all the people that bought from 1 to 20 Tickets, thanks again and I’m sorry that not everyone could go home with a prize. I'm sure the best outcome of this is to be part of this good cause and initiative from Kids. Gabriel, despite the distance he has been in touch, has bough his tickets and would have by far a better DJ than the one we had: all of us can’t wait to see him again in Dublin.

I’m delighted to have the chance of being part of such a wonderful event and a great cause. In May, I’ll be walking for KIDS, for my own personal experience and also I’ll be walking because of you!

New Update... New Sponsors!

.....Well, It’s been almost 3 weeks since our last update.

Last week, Miss Ireland Emma Waldron, has been really kind by Liking our Page in Facebook, for which I’m really thankful and hope it will bring more people to know about this charity event.

Today I’m really happy to announce that I just received 3 Jameson Bottles in a beautiful package:

12 Years Reserve
18 Years Reserve
Gold Reserve

The 3 of them will be included in a limited ticket raffle which you can purchase at the party on the 4th of March or by contacting me directly.

I’m delighted that Jameson Ireland is supporting this event and we will hopefully raise more money thanks to their donation.
 
Thanks again for your support and I’m looking forward to see you all at the Waterloo Bar in

Baggot Street

on the 4th of March.

Best Wishes,
Johnny.

Tickets on Sale!

Dear Friends,

Welcome to my usual Thursday Update!

I'm pleased to report that Raffle Tickets have been printed (they really look awesome!) and are on sale since Monday.

Already 50 Tickets sold in only 4 days.

Today a big thanks goes to Daniela that not only got herself a few "lucky numbers" but also helped to distribute some tickets! As well, my good friend Francesco has been until now our biggest investor, buying 10 tickets for himself. I guess he is really into the T-shirt signed by Diego Milito, but above all he has been really keen to contribute in a number of ways to the success of this challenge and to raise money for KIDS, for which I'm really grateful.

Buy 5 Tickets get 1 Free offer is still ongoing!

Draw will take place at the Waterloo Bar on Friday 4th of March at 10.00
Book that day in your Calendars, as a great party is being planned for the occasion.
Waterloo Bar has been very kind to offer us hosting the party and we are looking forward to have a lot of fun altogether.

Thanks for your constant support and if you want to buy any ticket don't hesitate to contact me!

Have a great week end!
Johnny.

Third Week – Third Step and….

….Raffle Tickets are being printing while I’m typing these lines.

I’m happy to announce that they will be on sale from Monday 24th of January at

2€euro each.

Another friend has welcomed this initiative helping with the printing of Tickets, him and his company decided to remain anonymous. Still if you are reading this and by any chance you need to get involved with any large printings, don’t hesitate to contact me and I will highly recommend them.

Ticket Number 5 has already been reserved. Hurry up and  book your favourite number before it’s gone!

A Dublin GAA Jersey, Kids T-signed by Argentine players, Alfajores Havanna and many other surprises are waiting for you!

Also, as you probably noticed last Friday, my good friend in Argentina has created the Logo that will keep me company during this Adventure.

Other than a great friend, Joel is a creative and innovative Web Designer.

Please follow his sites and progress. His portfolio includes the Web design of Argentinean musicians and large companies that have trusted his qualities.

You can have a look yourself on his personal Web Page: http://joelmendesnovo.com.ar/

As usual, thank you all for your support.

Johnny

Second Week Towards My Goal

...and the Second Sponsor has joined. I’m delighted that “En Piste pour le Monde” is now also supporting our initiative.

I would kindly recommend you to visit Delphine and Maxime’s Blog.

They have been travelling around the world and they made their tour useful by helping people along each amazing journey.

I personally admire what they have done, which it not only had a great impact on people’s lives but it also enriched their personal experiences. With their initiative and creating “En Piste pour le Monde”, they did not only have the chance to see the world with their own eyes, but also to interact with each community they visited.

Their adventure has been followed by many people and you can also learn more about them in the following link:

http://enpistepourlemonde.com/

Thanks for your support,

Johnny.

Getting Started - First Donation received

I’m pleased to inform that on the very first day this Blog has been created, the first Sponsor has joined the adventure!

Soon I’ll be adding a spreadsheet with detailed information regarding the donations.

"Alatryste was born in Madrid spent 23 years there and then moved to Dublin, Ireland for 6 years, recently he changed country once again and moved to Lisbon in search of new ways to catch the light…"

I have personally followed Alatryste’s progress during the last year and enjoyed many of the pictures. Please have a look at the following site and enjoy:

www.alatryste.com

Thank you all and have a great week end!

Jonathan

“Alatryste Photography” has kindly completed the first the donation.

Sponsor me to complete this adventure

I created this BLOG in order to get Sponsorship and raise funds For KIDS.

KIDS works in Argentina developing and delivering after-school programs and supports by giving children living in poverty somewhere to go that will nurture their desire to learn.

For more information please visit the Website: www.kids-argentina.org

A new KIDS event is coming up in 2011 and I decided to join this adventure hoping it will make a difference in kids life and that will also enrich my personal experience.

I will be delighted if you could help, donate or sponsor me to reach 1000 Euro, which will be donated to KIDS following this great event.

I'll be walking 25km per day over five days!

Please find as well more information regarding this event on the following link:

www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=147498788629524

A Dublin GAA Jersey signed by all Dubs players will soon be available on a Raffle as well as a KIDS T-shirt signed by Argentinean Football players (Higuain, Diego Milito, Heinze, Jonas Gutierrez, Romero and Mariano Andujar).

Thanks in advance for your support!

Johnny