The Planning - The Lions on the Road: Cycling London to Cape Town - page 12

STC was much more receptive than UNICEF, though. I learned that a lot of their
fundingcamefromthegrassrootslevel.Myideaseemedtofitnicelywiththeiragenda.So,
I sent my proposal to Chris Andrews, the STC area organizer in Cornwall, England.
In mid-November of 1991, I received a letter from STC-UK. Chris was tremend-
ously optimistic and wanted to meet me. So we set up a meeting in the community library
inHelston,Cornwall.Ireconsideredthechildpermileidea(notaSTCthing)andoptedfor
a barometer target. Chris promised to send me a letter of introduction for my PR package.
My First Break
On November 16, 1991, I received a letter from Cookson America Inc. to say they
would be “very interested” in taking part in the tour. When I opened this letter I was at
workready toopenmybarat the Petty Officers' Mess. Iwas alone andbegan todance and
cry tears of joy to the music of Rugby Union's theme song (The song was based on Holst's
The Planets: Jupiter.) Cookson America was the first major company to show interest and
I was over the moon. As I danced, I reread the letter over and over. That was when I read
the fine print. They asked me for the name of the contact person at UNICEF!
Remember UNICEF showed a lack of interest. I inadvertently jumped the gun. I
had sent the request letter to Cookson (assuming that UNICEF would be interested) before
I received confirmation from UNICEF. I quickly mailed my PR package with a copy of
Chris' letter ofintroduction toCookson America toinform them ofthe change inthe bene-
factor.
I then created a list of individuals and corporations I wanted to contact for spon-
sorship or assistance, the first being the commander of the base. On November 19, 1991
a meeting took place with Commander Pritchard and many of my requests were met. He
permitted me to use the photocopier and word processor free of charge. He also allowed
me to use the telephone exchange where an account was set up and I would pay all fees.
Later on, he permitted John O'Hagan, a talented artist at the graphics department, to create
posters. I had some local children colour them in.