Triathlon for Ocean Stars
D DAY: Friday 10th June
OceanStars :: Sunday 26th June 2016 :: This Story
7am up lots of butterflies in my tummy, down stairs for porridge BIG bowl, check bag with change of clothes and swimming gear, Ali is going to look after that till I get there for swim, then off at 8am to drop bag off at leisure centre.
Bike checked packed with water, snack bars and sweets.
Graham has to go and pick up Martin from Station, so on my own, now I really want to get going but have half hours to wait as I can't swim till 11.45 as swimming lessons in pool till then.
9.10am I'm ready, loo again, Graham home, check list again! Phone, metre to tell me distance, last text to friends to say I am on my way. Ocean Stars here we go!
We are off and I am feeling really good, I'm flying, nice and quiet on the roads, feeling very upbeat,( which was very different from when I did my canal walk in 2014, the first hour my head was full of though, thinking about people, that were no longer alive even a bit tearful), but this time I am buzzing, cruising along and enjoying it, chatting to myself (a bit worrying) I see people thinking "you just think I'm a middle aged women out for a little bit of exercise" little did they know this was a woman on a mission. I arrive at a sort of half way point and look at watch 9.30 wow I'm speeding along, so in my head I am thinking if I get there earlier could I do a bit more, brave words thinks she.
On I go then we get to cricket hill and I find myself going DOWN FAST, no cars. "Go for it Sandra", middle of the road, feet of the peddles and I am singing out loud "Rains Drop are falling on my head" and grinning from ear to ear!! Wow watch out missy remember the next bit it goes up up up, get those peddles going and I zooming along. Then that long long drag starts, get into that low gear, try not to run out of gears too soon,(only 5 working) bums off the saddle and legs feeling strong, then here it is the road from hell and the hill that just keeps going up and up the road to Alton. Lots of lorries and cars and I keep going and going, in gear 3 for about 2 minutes and then I find myself on my lowest gear , no more gears too help m! The lorries come snugly close to me but love it or not they have to crawl behind me ,the old bum is off the saddle and the pressure is on I am determined to show them I can get up this hill without getting off and I am a women possessed . I hope they can't hear me as I am really shouting at myself to get up this hill, "come on you can do it, get those legs going come on nearly there" I can see the brow of the hill I can feel it getting easier YES YES, what a relief, ok now get some speed up for the next bit, and I am there zooming down to off up the high street, along over the canal, now that brings back memories. I was wet, soaked but I did complete 38 miles in 11 hrs in the rain so if I can do that, this is a breeze. Today it is cool and the sun is just breaking through. Still doing good time almost at leisure centre, 1hr 15, yes, check in with Ali, then off I go for the Run. Music in my ear, its day dream time, and as I walk I eat my banana and snack bar, then I am ready to run, legs a bit heavy but ok better than I thought, then ooops I need the loo and not a wee, so can't run but luckily I have made good time, so call in at the leisure centre (break loo seat tee hee) then off I go again to finish in 55mins. I am now early. I got 25mins before I can swim, Ali checks the distant gizmo and says "you have only done 19miles",my heart sinks" I told everyone it was a 22mile ride each time", my face drops, Ali say it's ok it doesn't matter. She tries to convince me that people won't ask and if they do they won't mind, "NO NO I made a promise so I have to do it", Ali I looks at me and says, "I hear you, so what can we do", so I know I can do 90 lengths in and an hour so that means I can make a mile up, and I did a 4mile run so two of them that's another mile so I have to make up 2 miles, so I decide to add a section onto the end of bike ride. I feel happier now.
Ok off for swim, Ali is swimming as well so that's really nice that makes me happy, 1hr later and 90 lengths, I am feeling good legs ok and arms not too tired. I change, cover myself in talc and the clothes go on easier, then like a bullet from the sky: where's my key to the padlock on my bike, panic, bag emptied on floor, drop the metre on floor that shows distance, and yes it breaks open, fingers and thumbs, panic, start looking, see if it's outside on the bike "Ali I really need you" back to Crèche not in there I am going crackers, right phone Graham tell him to come and cut the lock off, Ali outside checking if someone can cut it in the centre. I look at her she looks at me then she says to me "ok Sandra as there are no kids in the room go on you are allowed to say what you want!" (I rarely swear) so I look at her and out it comes "F######k" she looks at me" feel better?" "Yes" then we look up and there hanging up on my helmet is the key, we laugh, so wasted 20mins, time to go.
Run, here we go I am pumped and I run like the wind, only walk 3 times for the count of 100, then 50 minutes later and I am coming across the car park and there are 2 angels coming out of the centre they see me and my heart sings. Big hugs photos chat then off for my swim its now 3.05. Dilanee and Maureen are on pool side big smiles and off I go, now did the 90 lengths feeling tired and still positive, Grahams was waiting for me stuffed food in mouth feeling a wobbly so sit for a couple minutes then off we go 4.25pm, and the legs really don't belong to me, so this is now about endurance. Steady steady but the road is busy, mind is thinking negative thoughts , tick myself off keep going Sandra, however I did sing down cricket hill, and I didn't get of that bike and walk up the long long hill from hell to Alton, slow but steady, bit of shouting at myself to get up this hill, then this car came so close serious wobble ,then how the black thoughts creep in, News Flash women knocked of bike while doing a charity triathlon! Then the positive thoughts flow in, now in day dreaming mode, reflecting on the fact that as I am doing this people are sending money to Ocean Stars Trust "to raise funds for new dormitory for a small orphanage . All worthwhile, I think to myself. Off we go did ok now and then I hit the wall mentally and physically and knees are really hurting and head ache and so so so saddle sore (on fire is a better word) tee hee.
So the extra two miles are coming up and I so want to just go home, "no one will know" but I will, so get going Stokes, and I did, pulled in the drive at 5.15 8hrs 15 mins, the garage door open and Graham the knight in shining armour waiting......I think he could see the pain on my face and tiredness, well done, go sit down go sit down and have a drink
<I DID IT>
OST Charity Quiz Night
Friday 7th July, Fleet
OceanStars :: Sunday 26th June 2016 :: This Story
Time: 7:45pm
Place: Fleet Town Football Club
Price £10 per person (includes quiz + pizza)
Tickets available at the door
Please come and support us to help make a difference to the lives of children in Sri Lanka.
For details contact:
Ruth Hughes ruthhughes@btopenworld.com
Mudslides In Sri Lanka
Ocean Stars Trust Asked To Provide Packs Of Dry Food To Victims Of Recent Mudslides In Sri Lanka
OceanStars :: Tuesday 24th May 2016 :: This Story
£7.50 will provide a family with a pack of dry food rations.
Please donate through our website and help a family who have lost everything and have got to start again.
Curry Night 2016
Our 10th annual curry night! Wow!
OceanStars :: Monday 23rd May 2016 :: This Story
Yet again our faithful supporters (joined with several new faces) turned out on this glorious May evening to enjoy a veritable feast for the eyes as well as the stomach.
Our friends were able to enjoy their meal to the lovely accompaniment of music. Many thanks to them and to our very own master of ceremonies, John, for making the night go so well.
With the team of other friends who made curries, rotis, cakes etcetera, not forgetting the table preparation helpers and washers up, (without whom the event would not have gone so smoothly) the evening went very well and again the result was brilliant!
It really is a tribute to Dilanee that this is now firmly on the calendar each year and that no one wants to miss. If you are new to OST and live in Fleet (providing you enjoy curries of course ) do join us next year you won't be disappointed that you did!
WALK ON THE HEATH
Everyone welcome. Pushchair, mobility scooter and wheelchair friendly!
OceanStars :: Thursday 19th May 2016 :: This Story
Ocean Stars Trust invite you to join us on our
WALK ON THE HEATH
Pushchair, mobility scooter and wheelchair friendly!
Well behaved dogs welcome!!
Saturday 11th June
9:30 AM
Every welcome!
Help us to change the lives of children in Sri Lanka
For more details or to register your interest please call us on 01252 614150 or email ruthhughes@btopenworld.com
Ocean Stars Coffee Morning
Fleet Methodist Church
OceanStars :: Wednesday 11th May 2016 :: This Story
Ocean Stars Coffee Morning
10.00-12.00
Saturday 14th May 2016
Lots of Yummy cakes!!
Fleet Methodist Church
Teacher Sponsors Needed
Sponsor a Teacher Change a Life
OceanStars :: Monday 9th May 2016 :: This Story
£25 a MONTH
For further details contact:
Dilanee Bunter: oceanstarstrust@gmail.com
Phone: 07989 432118
Dilanee and John visit Ocean Stars Projects in March/ April 2016
Dilanee and John have just returned from a very successful trip visiting ocean Stars Projects in Sri Lanka.
OceanStars :: Thursday 21st April 2016 :: This Story
Dilanee and John have just returned from a very successful trip visiting ocean Stars Projects in Sri Lanka.
Their first stop was the Mahadeva Children's Home in Kilinochchi home to 380 children who have been orphaned or are from one parent families that are unable to care for them.
They then went on to Trincomalee to visit our 90+ children being sponsored and the sewing project.
From there Dilanee and John went on to Batticaloa where they spent the rest of the week visiting projects and meeting teachers and children who are linked with Ocean Stars.
Plans are underway for the October visit when 35+ volunteers visit Sri Lanka to work on the projects supported by Ocean Stars.
Callthorp Park School Trip Thoughts
Reflections on forthcoming trip to Sri Lanka March 2016
OceanStars :: Wednesday 20th April 2016 :: This Story
When I first got accepted into the trip I felt very happy and lucky. I knew that it would be a good idea to fundraise at Fleet Spurs because I play for them. I am very much looking forward to the safari and making a difference to the children. – Max Tyson
When I first heard that I was accepted/chosen to go on the trip I was very excited. The thing that I am most looking forward to on the trip is meeting all of the children and playing sports and other activities. On the trip I think that I will being not many clothes for myself but a lot of other clothes like football kits to donate to the children. – Angus Youngson
Very excited to be planning and to have really started the fundraising! I'm so grateful for this opportunity to visit and to teach lessons, but most of all making an impact on the children of Sri Lanka. –Hannah Green
I am looking to make a video/short film to show the ways we helped the children of Sri Lanka. I can't wait to see a different part of the world I haven't experienced before. I believe I can bring my good-quality learning experience to the children in the lessons. –Sam Wollen
So far I have really enjoyed fundraising for the trip. I'm looking forward to going to the schools and experiencing how they live. I am also excited to see how the money that we have fundraised affects the lives of the people that we will meet. –Charlotte Horton
I am looking forward to the trip; it is going to be an amazing journey which we are all going to enjoy. T will be amazing experience which we will never forget. –Katie A
I'm doing the sponsored bike ride and I really want to sell more sweets to raise more money. I also want to do some selling with my friends to get them in and helping. Also, I really want my family to do some fundraising with me. I think my personal total is £90. Maybe I could raise some money in Cyprus when I go on holiday there? –Alice Mckelvey
I'm very excited for this trip. I am most looking forward to the elephant safari as people have told me that it is amazing. To ensure that our lessons are successful, I will help bring all the appliances needed such as all of our photocopied activities and I will laminate the paper as this will make sure it does not get ruined on the trip. –Adison Turner
Very excited to experience a completely new culture. Looking forward to taking pictures and videos and seeing things I will possibly neve see again. I am very excited to be given the chance to help people less fortunate. –Jack Smith
I am very excited and enthusiastic about going on the trip. I am looking forward to seeing and teaching the children in the schools. –Matthew Charley
I can't wait to go on the Sri Lanka trip. I can't wait to see all the smiles on their faces! I will be able to bring my knowledge and understanding to what they are going through. Also I will hopefully be able to bring them hope. –Sydni Hills
I am really looking forward to our trip. I think it will be an amazing experience for us, and I hope we leave the children with memories that will last forever. –Mia Clarkson
I can't wait until we get there, I'm so excited. I can tell it's going to be a life-changing experience already. –Frankie Williams
I'm buzzing for the trip. I really want to take lots of pictures. I'm looking forward to everything: culture, people etc. –Richard Oliver
For the trip, I am very excited about going! I am most excited about meeting the students, teaching in the school and seeing the wildlife. –Maya Brauns
The trip is getting closer and I am getting more excited. I can't wait to see all the children and I'm sure both I and them will have a brilliant time. I am looking forward to seeing the elephants and doing different activities such as tea picking. –Ellie Kennelly
Ocean Stars Team 2
Thoughts about the trip in meeting 1
OceanStars :: Tuesday 19th April 2016 :: This Story
Lorna: I have always wanted to go and work for a charity. I have been to Kenya and I gave out food whilst I was there. The experience filled me with happiness. I am brining in my dream of having a gap year in this one week of volunteering for Ocean Stars. I also want to increase awareness in the UK of the work Ocean Stars does in Sri Lanka.
Reanne: When I heard about the trip to Sri Lanka I knew I wanted to be part of the team. I have always wanted to give to others. I feel that we can change how people feel. My wants are their needs.
Amy: I heard about the trip from my friend Sophie and I wanted to be part of it. I am training to be a teacher.
Sophie Sowden: I have known Amali and the family for a long time yet in never has seemed the right time to go to SL. I went with the team to SL in 2015 and I felt warm inside. It is a beautiful country. People are so friendly. We walked along way in rain and floods. Coming back on the plane I knew I wanted to return.
Howard: I have been retired for 8 years. At the moment I am coaching children in a Junior School. I enjoy working with children. I have 3 children and 4 grand children. I spent my working life up in London and I hope I can make a difference. My friends Jill and Mike went on the trip last year and they told me they had a fantastic time. So I have taken the plunge. I am hoping I can make a difference to the disadvantaged communities Ocean Stars works with. I am looking forward to being part of the team.
Sandra: This is Take 2 for me and I am very excited. I had an amazing experience. The people so appreciate what we do. Whatever happens happens.
Sophie: I have raised money for Ocean Stars for a long time. I think it will be a great experience to see the work you do. I want to be part of the children's lives.