Olympics
A Date Nikola Won’t Forget
Regardless of when it happened, it’s a meeting Nikola won’t soon forget. She was in the right spot at the right time and for her, it was a date with history.
Just another day in the office…the usual sleep, eat, training, eat, sail, gym, sleep program… and then the Prince showed up!
Prince Charles came for a visit to the Sailing Venue here in Weymouth and met some of the Commonwealth sailors. It was a real pleasure and honour to meet him, my first of the Royals!…
An interesting and witty man he was, a former windsurfer too!
Right after the Royal visit, I visited with my friends, the Rockingham’s in Weymouth who are part of the Weymouth & Portland Friends of Chernobyl Children.
This group raises money for children affected by the Chernobyl disaster.
The families here in the UK then host these children for a month – giving these kids the nourishment they desperately need: a balanced diet, clothes, doctors and dental visits and some good fun.
I met 14 year old Dasha only twice, but it was such a simple reminder of how fortunate I am to be where I’m from and to have had the opportunities that I did.
She’ll probably be my remotest cheerleader, sporting her red Canadian Olympic Team mittens from Belarus.
I’ll never forget her smile, her eyes lighting up and her massive thank you hug… if only she had more chances of a better life at home.
This experience somewhat coincides perfectly with my goal to raise money for charity.
I’ve just recently teamed up with an amazing initiative by Chimp (an online platform that facilitates charitable activity by making giving simple, centralized and social for the average Canadian) I am trying to raise $10,000 for charity, which will get doubled to $20,000 by an anonymous sponsor.
It’s really easy to donate and get a tax receipt.
We are having a bit of Olympic Fun with it… and those that have joined my group are pledging for my results in races at the Games and overall result, making the media – like getting a picture with Prince Charles.
That picture raised $200 alone and had I been able to get him in a wetsuit it would’ve been $500.
A picture of myself and the Queen gets $1000 etc. Proceeds will go to CanFund and KidSport, supporting Canadian athletes from the grassroots to the Olympic elite, and The Vancouver Friends For Life Society.
Have a bit of Olympic fun as I’ll be looking for all sorts of pledges http://bit.ly/NikGoing4Gold
Wishing you all a very HAPPY CANADA DAY long weekend.
I’ll be celebrating over here in Weymouth. Thank you for your support, Nikola
Who said “dreams can’t come true”!!!
Let’s help Nikola reach her goal!!!
Wishing Nikola all the best on her quest for Gold in London!!!