Andrews Long Ride

$8,042 donated

Given by 77 generous donors in around 3 months

I'm riding the length of NZ to get my son's powerful play, on our family's issues with mental health, to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Nationwide

Andrew here, with something slightly crazy about mental health.

I’m going to try to ride the length of New Zealand in 10 weeks. Not the real length, but the full distance: 1,393 kilometres or 866 miles.

Nuts eh? Well I’m doing it for mental health – not just mine but lots of other people’s.

You see my son, Robin, has written a play about our family’s issues with mental health – called Valerie, after his maternal grandmother, who had to take the brunt of some tough times.

After showing in New Zealand, and having a huge impact, it’s been selected for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival – the biggest Fringe Festival in the world. From there it could go anywhere internationally and change a lot of lives.

But he needs to raise $45,000 to get it there, with cast, crew and all their equipment.

That’s a long way, and a lot of money, for a struggling artist. So, I figured I’d go a long way for him too.

I’m looking for people to back me, to push me, to do it. People who know what mental illness can do to families, friends, and communities.

One cent per kilometre would be $14 max; one cent per mile would be $9. But think bigger if you can. Five cents, or ten, or twenty, or even a dollar?

Help me push those pedals down. And tune in to one of the best blogs you’ve ever read as I go the distance. That’s got be worth something, for entertainment value alone. 😊

Yours insanely,

Andrew K

Andrew Kelly's involvement (page creator)

My son and daughter-in-law have written a theatre piece about mental health. When it opened in NZ it had a huge impact on a lot of lives. Now it's been selected to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. But they need to raise $45,000 to get their cast , crew and gear over there. That's a long way and a lot of money for them, so I figured I'd go a long way for them.

Use of funds

To get cast, crew and gear for the play "Valerie" to Edinburgh.

Other page links

WEEK EIGHT & A HALF 16 August 2018

Didn’t plan on this.

Whizzing along beside a line of stationary traffic – smiling inwardly. A jogger cutting between cars. Full brakes … no traction … hit the road!

Bike is in repair shop – bruises look spectacular – nothing that won’t fix – except my timetable.

Now time has taken on a terrible new persona. I’m writing this from Brisbane, on a business trip, and by the time I get back home and pick up the bike, there’ll only be three days left for riding. Three days to do 151 km … no pressure.

Wish me luck, give me a boost, tell your friends.

Thanks again for all your support.

PS: the show “Valerie” is getting some terrific reviews.

PPS: remember you can also follow my Long Ride on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

Andrew K

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