Nearly 2 weeks to go before deafPLUS' first overseas fundraising challenge!

deafPLUS is very excited - in just over 2 weeks to go, two of our colleagues will embark on a trip of a lifetime for a very good cause. Jason Barnett, Whitechapel Centre Manager and Leo Mansell, Hackney Development Officer, will fly to Borneo near Malaysia to climb Mt Kinabalu to raise money for deafPLUS.

They have both raised £3000 each, meeting their sponsorship targets. Their sponsorship money will ensure deafPLUS can continue to deliver its services to deaf people.

We have created a blog so you can follow Jason's and Leo's exciting journey and hear all about their visit to a deaf school in Borneo.

Jason Barnett after completing the British 10K London Run raising money towards his Borneo target 

Leo Mansell after completing the half-mile Great East Swim raising money towards his Borneo target

We decided to interview both gentlemen on their forthcoming challenge:

REPORTER: How are you both feeling about going to Borneo in nearly 2 weeks' time?

Jason: I am excited! It will be the furthest I have ever flown and it will be my first trip to South East Asia. I am looking forward to taking in their culture, visiting a school for deaf children in Borneo. I am especially interested in learning about how schools for the deaf in Borneo are run and how the children are taught. That will certainly be a good experience.

Leo: I am looking forward to it. In fact, I am very excited! As Jason has said, we are visiting a deaf school for deaf children. We are also visiting the Sabah Deaf Society, which is Borneo's answer to deafPLUS. We hope to learn about their employment service for deaf people, their values and the issues they face in Borneo. This will be one of the highlights of our trip and I cannot wait. I don't know how Jason will cope with me on the flight!

REPORTER: How have you both been preparing for this challenging trek?

Jason: Apart from running after my three children, I haven't done much training although I am a naturally sporty person! Over the last two months, I participated in a deaf veteran football tournament (and won!). I took part in the British 10K London Run and was exhausted afterwards!

Leo: I have been training "well"! I swim weekly and recently took part in the Great East Open Water swim in the half-mile category. I am also a Football Referee so I run up and down the football pitch most weekends.

REPORTER: Good luck boys and we shall look forward to reading your blog!