If Sally Struthers can do it, so can I !!

Do I need to get all Sally Struthers on you?

Two more days until the start the Great Circular Indian Railway Challenge!  If you don't know what I'm talking about, please click HERE to read my post about it.  There have been new developments in the past few weeks.  The most interesting being:

- The Times of India will be doing a story about the GCIRC and possibly a follow up story.  This paper has the largest circulation among all English-language newspapers in the world.  Over 3 million are printed every day!

- We have a 4, maybe, 5 piece band scheduled to play for us during the hour leading up to our departure.  If they aren't booted off the platform by the time our train leaves, it will be a hell of a departure!!

- We may or may not be able to get on the train in the far eastern state of Assam due to Maoist activity.  Conductors have been kidnapped or threatened in the past few months which has shut down the train all together for now.  It might be back up by the time we reach that part of our journey!

- Most importantly, participants of the GCIRC have now helped raise over £3000 to help support Railway Children!  That's just shy of of $5000 USD.

An important reason why I am doing this trip is to raise awareness of the millions of street/railway children around the world.  As you know, the numbers are ridiculous!  GCIRC is helping to raise money for the UK based charity, Railway Children. They work with homeless street/railway children in all parts of the world, not just India.

I will be meeting and photographing many railway children during the 2 week trip.  Many of the other GCIRC travelers will be taking video clips and interviewing the children to show the current state of affairs along the tracks.  My goal is to share a glimpse of their life with you and raise awareness.

Thanks to Aunt Betty for getting my fund raising ball rolling when I first stretched out my hand a few months ago!  Unfortunately, the ball stopped there!  As little as $5.00 goes a long way!  If every one of my facebook friends donated $5, we'd raise another $695!

If you enjoy reading this blog, please show some love!  I will be updating this blog every day of the journey (well, just the days I have an internet connection)!  I guarantee it will be entertaining!

Each and every person who donates will get a very special surprise prize mailed to them when Karen and I fly back home for summer!  It won't be a stupid prize either!

Below are three ways to make a donation.  If you think of another way, let me know.

1.  Mail a check to:  

Tim Steadman

4281 Express Ln
Ste L2345
Sarasota, FL 34238

This is my mail forwarding address.  Please email me at tim@timsteadman.com if you are sending a check so I can keep an eye out for it.

2. Click on the link on the top, right side of this blog.  If you are one of the many people that do not like PayPal, consider the check option!

3. I can take a donation in person!

The tour dates and locations of the GCIRC!  My birthday will be in Ghum!  If you don't care about the kids, you can gather up $5 and send it to me...all while pretending you are buying me a birthday drink!