Fundraising – Goal achieved

I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who has helped to get me

on my way to Africa.

As of 5:33pm local Birmingham, England time, everyone’s donations have

come to an amazing $3106 which continues to increase by the day. This

is way more than I ever expected and will help out more than you can

imagine. Even though you may not be in Togo yourselves you are helping

me touch sooooo many people in need. It really breaks my heart seeing

people die because they not only have a lack of basic health care but

because they have none at all...

It is also very confronting knowing people are out casted from their

communities because of a simple physical defect, often forcing them to

beg for a living (especially when so easily fixed). So not only are

you indirectly helping restore many physically impairments (whether it

be remove a tumour, repair a broken leg or suture back a cleft

pallet... just to name a few) but you are literally changing their

whole life and giving them a HOPE for a brighter future, giving them a

chance to re-enter their community and feel human again...

So I really just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who has

helped me get on my way to help out in such a place as Togo...

...so as a result of everyone’s generosity and raising over $3000

I have owned up to my end of the bargain and

waxed the following:

- both legs (ingrown hairs everywhere)

- my chest (I actually drew blood on this one)

- my arms (just a few ingrowns left)

- my armpits (I wouldn’t recommend doing this.... ever... I had to walk

around all day with my hands on my hips and that night had ice packs

under my armpits... and a week later the ingrown hairs are just on

their way)

- my head - I am now bald in freezing cold England.. something I don’t

ever recommend...

anyway thanks again for everyone’s support,

May God bless you for your support.

Nick

If you want to check out the waxing experience check out the video below....

Fundraising efforts

Hello to everyone that I know and those I don't know (yet),



I’m not sure if you are aware but I have been given an awesome opportunity to volunteer as a physiotherapist with Mercy Ships next year. For those who don’t know Mercy ships is a hospital on board a massive, gigantic, titanic ship. The advantage of having a fully functioning hospital on board a ship is that they are able to reach and provide a world-class medical service to the poorest of the poor nations on earth.

Mercy ships are a Christian organisation that endeavors to follow the example of Jesus by bringing hope and healing to some of the world's poorest people. Mercy Ships is committed to alleviating human suffering and empowering them to stand on their own two feet and fulfill their God-given potential.

I have always dreamt of going to Africa and helping those who have been born into poverty, starvation and a life with seemingly little hope for a bright future and words can’t express how excited I am about taking up this opportunity. The best thing about serving within such an organisation is that I am able to use my clinical skills as a physiotherapist on board. It will be very exciting and challenging time for me as I will be the sole physiotherapist in the hospital working in the orthopaedic, general surgical and medical wards. I will be volunteering for 3 months starting February 14th until May 14th next year while the ship is based in Togo (West Africa). Mercy ships are all about providing a quality service to those who can’t afford it and I am absolutely excited about volunteering on board. Apart from getting a lot of satisfaction out of volunteering within such an organisation, I have no doubt that I will become a better physiotherapist and leader being stretched in such a situation.

The reason I am writing is that I am looking at raising money to enable me to serve on board. As Mercy ships is a volunteer organisation volunteers need to cover their own costs. For me this predominantly involves my flights to Togo and crew fees (food and board). The total cost I am looking at raising is $5375 and if there is even one dollar over I will be donating it to Mercy Ships. Just to let you know Mercy Ships is a tax deductable organisation, so for all you business savvy people out there you can claim any donations back as a tax deduction.

I was talking to one of my mates (Mark Nelson) and he said I should do something to encourage people to donate and suggested a shave. Which I reckon is a great idea. So if the money below is raised this is what I am willing to commit to:
$50 Clean Shaven
$100 1 leg waxed
$200 2 legs waxed
$400 Legs and arms waxed
$600 Legs and arms and chest waxed
Anything over $1000 shaved head and legs/arms/chest waxed

I will have a going away party just before I leave and do the shave and wax then.

If you or anyone you can think of is at all interested in donating anything at all to me please let me know and I can give you my specific Mercy ships payment details who will then redirect the funds back to me. Also could you please keep me in your prayers while I am away next year as Togo will be having their elections right when I arrive (how’s that for timing). Anyway during this time there is a lot of tension and a very real likelihood of street riots erupting.
Ps. If you want any information on Mercy Ships you can go to their website http://www.mercyships.org.au/
Thank you kindly and God bless.
Nick Veltjens