Spec Savers South Africa come to conduct vision tests at Alpha ......

Spec Savers will be sending trained personnel to test around 600 children's vision next Thursday at Alpha Primary School. If any child should require glasses, Spec Savers will provide the child with the appropriate lenses and frames for free. What a wonderful opportunity for the children at Alpha. Thank- you Spec Savers!!!

Please click here to find out more

IRISH TEAM HEADS TO PORT ELIZABETH ON Friday 31st July

Programme for the week of 3rd -7th August 2009

Monday - Friday :
Assembly
Teach classes (crafts/music and netball/soccer)-one year group per day
Do general DIY
Upgrade the staff room (painting, curtains, furniture etc)
Give the pupils milk and biscuits every day
Assist the teachers in the classrooms

Friday Night:
Host a cocktail party to thank all who have been involved and donated various materials and money to the project (around 100 guests)

The money raised from the Irish team will be spent on the following:

A jungle gym (playground equipment) for the children
Sports equipment including soccer balls, netballs, cones, bibs and netball posts
Milk and biscuits for 750 pupils for 5 days
A lunch for the teachers of Alpha
Upgrading the staffroom and some bathroom fittings
Ceiling boards for the bathrooms and staffroom
The food and drinks for the cocktail party
Arts and crafts equipment

We have now raised over 6000 pounds and are overwelmed by all your support.
THANK-YOU SO MUCH

The Alpha Project 2009 Team

Final day and 1040 km finished!!!

 
Celebrations as John completes his final leg of 162km from Enniskillen to Giant's Causeway... what an achievement!!!
1040km in 6 days!!!
Thank-you all for your words of encouragement and prayers, we are all very appreciative of your support.
God Bless you all.

Day 5...885km down!!!

 
Day 5 was from Gort to Sligo and John covered 170km on his own through rain and wind and many long hills. This was definitely the hardest day for him and he has mentally been so strong. I am so proud of him he has gone beyond all expectation!!! One more day to go !!!!

More of Day 4....

 

Day 4

 
Day 4 was from Fermay through Cork and then to Gort which was 215 km altogether!! John had a really tough cycle into a strong wind and up many hills for 40km to get to Cork. After the gruelling start to the day he then got a puncture halfway up a hill coming out of Cork to Limerick....not in the plan!!!
We stopped for lunch (after he had done 110km)and then I joined John and together we cycled 100km to Gort which was a true test for both of us. Exhausted and very sore we arrived at our hotel for a swim and an ice bath....and ofcourse a good sleep for the next day.

Day 4, 12 July 2009

Here is todays route


Click here for todays route

Day 3, 11 July 2009

Hi All,

Here is todays route, weather not looking good with a southly, face on wind.


Route, Day 3">

Day 3

 
We met John for Lunch and then John and I cycled 60km in the rain to Fermoy, where we spent the night at a local B&B.In total John has cycled 215km today!!!

Day 2, 10 July 2009

Hi All, Here is todays route.

Weather looking good with a NNW wind, fantastic.

See you at the end.


Click here for todays route">

Day 2 Report

Day two was another good day which started out at 5:30 am. I made good time and was through Newry, my breakfast target, by 8:20. I eventually gave in and had breakfast at Sizzlers in Ardee, a full Irish Fry with two smoothies.

The next stretch was a challenge with hills I never knew existed. But I made good progress and eventually arrived in Dunboyne at 13:00. A full 2 hours earlier than expected. The team in Dunboyne were all in the drive outside the main building to welcome me in, I thought I was Lance Armstrong in the Tour de Eir. What a great way to end the second day.

This evening we have a quiz night planned at Slevins in Dunboyne. Watch this space for an update.

Day 2 ends with a fantastic reception at the Dunboyne Office around 1pm

 
John and his work colleagues at the end of a 160km of cycling for a well earned lunch.

Day 2 begins...bright and early at 5:30am

 

Day 1 Report

Todays cycle ended up being 118km and was a great ride with a good tail wind. In total the ride took 4.5 hours and 3800 calories were burnt.

Day 1, 9 July 2009

John is cycling the following route, watch this space for todays updates.


Click Here to see route, Day 1">

John Starts his 1000km cycle at the Giant's Causeway on the North Coast of Ireland

 

The shirts which have been printed for the project

 
 

An aerial view of Alpha Primary c/o google earth

ALPHA PRIMARY SCHOOL FACILITIES...

These pictures were taken early this year and are of classrooms and changing facilities at the school. As you can see this is a very poor school and vandalism is rife in the area.

The team of volunteers that are going to the school in the first week in August will be doing DIY work and interacting with the children by teaching them singing, crafts and sport. We will also be providing milk and biscuits to all 750 children at the school from Monday to Friday.

We will be posting updates of our trip every day so please do check and see what we are getting up to.