Scotiabank Vancouver half marathon 2009

Rose Charities UK fielded one sponsored runner in the event this year (2009) Total entrants were around 5000. The course is one of the most beautiful in the world. Proceeds went to medical education in Africa. via the Laura Case Trust (UK) an organization with close personal links to Rose Charities UK members dedicated to work in this area. Rose Charities Canada via the Hillman Medical Education fund works from Canada in the same area.

Lets Just Try !

'Lets Just Try' by David Bethune. (click)

This wonderful new song is launched with its website and is supporting Rose Charities.

..(exerpt)..

"Let's put our differences aside
And reach down deep inside
For a moment just one moment
Let's just try
No matter what our faith
No matter what our race
For a moment just one moment
Let's just try"

Stroke for Sight. Apollo Rowing !

We are rowing in Apollo Rowing's STROKE FOR SIGHT campaign for Rose Charities NY which provides medical services to the poor in several developing countries. Our goal is to raise $500 to pay for 20 eye surgeries ($25 per sight-restoration surgery) which will restore sight and help a family member become an asset - not a burden. Please visit our fundraising page for more details or to donate

Apollo Rowing is planning its 'Stroke for Sight' fundraising campaign this summer, where rowing clubs and individuals will compete for an Apollo Rowing boat by raising funds for Rose Charities. Apollo Rowing will encourage rowers and rowing clubs to compete with one-another in this off-the-water fund raising competition. Club teams or Individuals will try to raise at least $500 per team to pay for 20 eye surgeries at Rose Charities eye clinics in developing countries. However the individual or club that raises the most money for Rose Charities will be awarded an Apollo Rowing rowing shell. This is a great way for Rowing clubs to get a new boat, while helping a worthy cause. If you would like to register or if you have any questions, feel free to contact John at Apollo Rowing at 781-632-8828 or at john@apollorowing.com , or at Rose Charities at Contact@RoseCharities.org for more details.

We will be rowing in the following Regattas - please come out and cheer for us!

• Derby Sweeps & Sculls - June (masters only)
• Lawrence Regatta - June
• Cromwell Cup - July
• Narragansett Sweeps & Sculls - July
• Masters Nationals - Camden NJ - August

Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!

Joanna Thomson - IronWoman !

May 2009. Perth. Joanna Thomson - Rose Charities Australia - Completes half IronWoman - raises AUD 600 for projects in Australia and Cambodia !




DONATE ! :-) ... Donations to Joanna's effort still very welcome !

The never ending road. Walking to Santiago

Walking to Santiago for Rose Charities...
www.justgiving.com/denis-dronjic
The never ending road! By: Denis Dronjic

I’m not speaking of the Road to Santiago I am so anxiously waiting to begin on May 13th, I am speaking of the road we choose for ourselves; the road that brings us to our destination, only to realize, once we arrive at our destination, that the destination has always been within us during the journey.

Here I am, once again, counting down the hours before the start to the new expedition. I must say, it’s a mighty coincidence that I am starting on my Santiago expedition on the same day I set off on my ‘Pedal for the Medal’ expedition I did two years before, in ‘07. It was on May 13th, 2007 I set off from Nanaimo, British Columbia, to cycle my road bike 3,000 km to San Diego, California, to help raise money for Rose Charities. It was during this expedition when I was first introduced to my never ending road.

So here it goes…. On May 13th, 2009, I’ll be starting my walk on the Road to Santiago. I had originally learned of this 860 km road through Northern Spain , from one of Paulo Coelho’s books. Paulo Coelho is a Brazilian author whom is recognized throughout the world for some of the most amazing mystical stories written. He completed this road himself and praised it a number of times in his books; that is how I came to learn of this Christian walk.

The 30+ days it took me to cycle the west coast is nowhere near the 45 - 60+ days I am predicting will take me to complete the walk to Santiago . I know, I know! I should be able to walk more the 30 km per day and get this done in less than a month. If you are rushing to get things done, sure, a person could complete it faster, if that’s what they desire. But even if I wanted to rush - which I don’t - I can’t!! I am starting the walk on my one year anniversary from the day I almost lost my legs and my life.

On May 13th, 2008, I was crushed by a car! I was riding my motorcycle when I lost control of my rear tire – due to rain and inexperience-- and since I was not able to regain balance I had to dislodge my motorcycle, only to hit the pavement and slide underneath an approaching vehicle.

The collision with the vehicle was so severe that I was thought to be dead by all the bystanders since they literally had to lift the car off my body with their bare hands. After I was revived back to life, I was rushed to hospital in critical condition. A dislocated hip like I was dancing salsa on a deserted island hanging of the coast of Spain; broken right femur; broken right head of tibia, connecting into my right knee; broken right and left fibula; broken left tibia (open fracture with more the 3 cm of bone missing); broken left ankle; broken scapula; and last but not least, like all of this wasn’t enough-- internal bleeding and swelling in the frontal lobe of my brain. Besides the road rash, I think that is the complete list of the injuries I sustained in this horrific accident.

Now don’t be shocked, it sounds worse than it really is. If you were to see me today, you wouldn’t even know I went through this. Besides a few hidden scars and limping when I walk, I function like this was nothing more than a bad dream. I mean, physically I am not what I use to be, and I might never be again, but this hasn’t stopped me from chasing my dreams on this never ending road. And that’s what this walk is: a journey, a journey to the destination called Santiago. A journey for all the children and families that don't have a chance to dream like you and I do. A journey for this world to wake up and take care of its people. A journey for all the wonderful work that ROSE CHARITIES has done and is continuing to do. A journey for you!!

Please donate, even if a dollar is all you can afford, trust me it will make a big difference. It is people like you that make the difference in this beutiful yet unfair world. I will be doing something that doctors DO NOT think is possible, and I hope you will do something I know is possible.

Thank you for taking the time to read my fundraising page. If you are interested in following my journey I am taking with my father, you may add me to facebook. Search for Denis Dronjic. I’ll be posting pictures and stories periodically when I arrive at a village that has internet. It is said that a person walking the Road to Santiago has a spiritual awakening during his/her journey, so I am sure my blogs will be an interesting read :-)

Thank you and may God bless you
Denis
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Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Rose Rehabilitation Trust gets your money faster and, if you’re a taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor me now!