I still don’t know what is happening regarding Inspire acceditation. Despite Sue’s amazing efforts to crack the LOCOG bureaucracy engine we seem to be in limbo.
Meanwhile the London2012 Games is getting closer – less than 500 days now, and before you blink it will be less than a year to go!
Consequently I have decided to carry on with Walk2012 as if it is going to be an unofficial Olympics project rather than an Inspire project. Obviously if the situation changes I shall be delighted, but I don’t feel I can afford to hold off any longer.
It means that I will be trying to get articles in the press without the Inspire mark, which I *think* will make it a bit harder, but there has been a lot of encouragement from the many lovely people I have met while getting this project up and running, and so I’m hoping it won’t be too much of a barrier.
So, there’s gonna be some changes around here – yeehaw!
This blog has to grow into a more comprehensive website for one thing, so I shall be working on that, and of course I need a way for people to sign up for the walk, so if you know how to put up some kind of mailing list thingy on wordpress then please get in touch!
The biggest thing right now is publicising Walk2012 and fundraising.
Can you help?
Yes please, I thought you’d never ask 
If you know a walking group or running group, or have contacts in the media, please put them in touch with me, or pass me their contact details and I’ll contact them.
If you blog about walking please link to this post.
If you tweet about walking please tweet this page.
Felix, Sam and I have created a video to help raise funds for Walk2012:
The fundraising website is here. If you can support us then fantastic, thank you very much. If you can tell your friends too then even better!
I think it’s going to be a hectic couple of months, but I want to get everything ready a year before the Olympics to give people the best chance of joining in, whether for a day, weekend, or the full 180 miles. All help and words of encouragement very gratefully received!
Cheers, Mark
Great news and good luck! I’ll be doing what I can to help and to cheer you on and hope to join you for at least part of the walk! I don’t think you should find any difficulty getting coverage for your project in the press, I really don’t think they will care if you have the accreditation or not. As long as you tailor your press releases/info to suit the type of publication, have good quality info and photos available and think carefully about what you send where, you shouldn’t have a problem.
I agree with Knit Nurse. I wouldn’t have even known about ‘Inspire’ if it hadn’t been for this work that you have done and I cannot see how the absence of their logo will affect potential walkers or put anyone off.
I think this is a magnificent idea and i will do whatever I can to promote it.
Best of luck
As you know i Mark, i can’t see the attraction of Inspire accreditation myself. Much better to spend your time & energy on the actual project rather then their bureaucratic hurdles. Then you can even print a guide book if you want!
As Knit Nurse says as long as your PR is targeted well it should get a fair amount of publicity. And what I like about it is that it CAN happen with little money just peoples time. You have secured a good amount of support, so its going be a success.
PS
re the vid you show Portland harbour and say “its starting in Weymouth, where all the sailing is taking place.” BUT the Olympic sailing is happening from Portland – quite a contentious issue for the people on Portland.
BTW Just got the go ahead to make a film with young people on Portland about Portlanders and the Olympic Legacy.
Thanks for the comments folks!
Joe – you are right to correct me in saying the sailing is happening from Portland. I will try to make amends somehow.
…although I have to admit to a little a devil on my shoulder whispering all kind of quips about Portlanders. You can take the boy out of Wyke, but I guess you can’t (100%) take Wyke out of the boy, and childhood rivalry runs deep
Congratulations on getting the go-ahead for the film – sounds like a brilliant project. Where is it going to be shown?
Pingback: The Domestic Soundscape » Archive » Re: Woolsack