lovezoo
Well-Known Member
That is what he was saying basically 'please donate some money, I haven't raised much so far'. It then descended into a slanging match.
RNLI/ARNY post
- Thread starter mm1
- Start date
hlb
RIP
No. It did not descend into a slanging match. Well if it did do, I was not involved.
I was simply observing that getting sponsors to pay for a very expensive trip round Britain, was not terribly cost effective, RNLI wise.
..............................................................................
So what do I (And others) really think. Bear in mine, we met another mobo doing exactly the same thing as Arny.
If you want to go round the UK, or anywhere else for that matter. Do so. If you want to collect some money to the RNLI on the way. Do so. Course alternatively you could just have stayed at home that week, month/months and donated what you saved, yourself.
Going on an ego trip for ones own deliverance into superstar status and expecting others to pay for the privilege, is another thing.
Dan. The trouble with deleting threads, is some one rakes it up again adding a different slant, forcing others to defend themselves, or say where there comming from. To the casual reader, they get one side of the story, only the avid reader sees the whole story.
So, lets let it rest now.
I was simply observing that getting sponsors to pay for a very expensive trip round Britain, was not terribly cost effective, RNLI wise.
..............................................................................
So what do I (And others) really think. Bear in mine, we met another mobo doing exactly the same thing as Arny.
If you want to go round the UK, or anywhere else for that matter. Do so. If you want to collect some money to the RNLI on the way. Do so. Course alternatively you could just have stayed at home that week, month/months and donated what you saved, yourself.
Going on an ego trip for ones own deliverance into superstar status and expecting others to pay for the privilege, is another thing.
Dan. The trouble with deleting threads, is some one rakes it up again adding a different slant, forcing others to defend themselves, or say where there comming from. To the casual reader, they get one side of the story, only the avid reader sees the whole story.
So, lets let it rest now.
jimg
Well-Known Member
Haydn, you are right. Let's let it drop.
DAKA
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
That is what he was saying basically 'please donate some money, I haven't raised much so far'.
[/ QUOTE ]
I have been away for a while and i have missed what has gone on.
I am sure many have been inspired by Arney and he should be proud of his boating achievements.
edited following pm complaints
That is what he was saying basically 'please donate some money, I haven't raised much so far'.
[/ QUOTE ]
I have been away for a while and i have missed what has gone on.
I am sure many have been inspired by Arney and he should be proud of his boating achievements.
edited following pm complaints
BrendanS
Well-Known Member
He was paying all his own costs for the trip. Any money raised went to RNLI. You obviously haven't been paying attention at the back, so come and sit down here at the front of the class! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
DAKA
Well-Known Member
sorry Brendan,
I try really hard to pay attention ( between other more attention grabbing situations /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
He didn't pay for all expenses, the bulk of the legs were paid for by cooperate sponsors.
PM sent .
I try really hard to pay attention ( between other more attention grabbing situations /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
He didn't pay for all expenses, the bulk of the legs were paid for by cooperate sponsors.
PM sent .
BrendanS
Well-Known Member
fair enough, I didn't realise he was getting costs paid as well. The thread that was deleted however, was about raising more money for RNLI, not complaining about his costs etc., other that it was disappointing to have gone to all that effort to raise so little.
hlb
RIP
Well asI understand it, he was a bit miffed when some one would not give free mooring.
DAKA
Well-Known Member
hi haydn,
I ve been away for a while reflecting on the amount of pm complaints I received following one thread, i came back tonight and before I could read what **** i had typed the pm complaints had started .
I ve been away for a while reflecting on the amount of pm complaints I received following one thread, i came back tonight and before I could read what **** i had typed the pm complaints had started .
deborahann
Well-Known Member
no one is complaining about his costs, just that if he hadn't set off, sat at home or been down Tesco's with a tin, then the money raised would have been perhaps more.
From Arny's web site:
Berthing Provided By:
Padstow Harbour
Neyland Yacht Haven
Hafan Pwllheli Marina
Conwy Marina
Douglas Harbour
Bangor Marina
Oban Marina
Seaport Marina Inverness
Whitehills Harbour
Peterhead Bay Marina
Eyemouth Harbour
Hartlepool Marina
Scarborough Harbour
Hull Marina
Wells Harbour
Lowestoft Haven Marina
Dover Marina
Littlehampton Marina
Of course its commendable that any one raises money for any charity, especially boaters for the RNLI. Its a bit like the sponsor me for the parachute jump, ok, but at least the jumper has paid for the jump. Sorry if it offends, thats my opionion & has been long before Arny set off.
From Arny's web site:
Berthing Provided By:
Padstow Harbour
Neyland Yacht Haven
Hafan Pwllheli Marina
Conwy Marina
Douglas Harbour
Bangor Marina
Oban Marina
Seaport Marina Inverness
Whitehills Harbour
Peterhead Bay Marina
Eyemouth Harbour
Hartlepool Marina
Scarborough Harbour
Hull Marina
Wells Harbour
Lowestoft Haven Marina
Dover Marina
Littlehampton Marina
Of course its commendable that any one raises money for any charity, especially boaters for the RNLI. Its a bit like the sponsor me for the parachute jump, ok, but at least the jumper has paid for the jump. Sorry if it offends, thats my opionion & has been long before Arny set off.
SnaxMuppet
Well-Known Member
I refuse to let some of this misinformation go by without putting the facts straight here for everyone.
So without "getting in a huff" as some people think I have done PLEASE let me clarify a few fundimental points about the trip that a few, including hlb, either don't know or refuse to believe or accept.
Firstly the idea that I would have put this event together to get a free boat trip round Britain is not only 100% wrong but it is totally preposterous. Yes, I got some sponsorship... but without it I would not have got the exposure nor the support I felt I needed to raise the public profile sufficiently. I wanted the event to be BIG news with the sole and only intention of getting more donations... it was and is nothing to do with my own profile.
Secondly, ALL the money donated to the RNLI went to the RNLI... every penny. Every penny donated either through the web site or in a bucket while on route. I have only ever taken money to help pay for the trip if it was given to me personally with the sponsor's full knowledge that their sponsorship money was to pay for the trip. There is never any suggestion that I would consider taking money donated to RNLI. So, with that in mind, those sponsors that did give me money towards the costs must have thought it worth while to do so and that was their choice.
My issue with Haydn is that he refuses to believe, or so it seems, that I could be doing this for the RNLI and not for my self. I suppose the more accurate way of describing it is that I was doing the trip for myself and the fundraising for the RNLI. I find it enormously upsetting given the HUGE effort I have put in and the hundreds of hours I have spent trying to get people interested in the event so that I could raise funds for the RNLI, to suggest that I was doing it all for my own benefit and gain.
It was mentioned that some people gave a lot of money to me for doing this... no person nor company has given me as sponsorship more than £400 cash. Suzuki gave me the aux engine and engine servicing but for that they got exposure on every piece of documention, business card, flyer and the web site and I think that was value for money and so that was nothing more than a purchase of some PR exposure. I see the sponsorship from almost all of the other sponsors in the same light. I was not just taking money for my own use. I took their money and offerings and delivered a public exposure for it whilst trying to raise money for a charity... a worthy cause IMO. So I do not feel bad nor embarrased about getting sponsorship for the trip... it added to the public awareness, added to the sponsors exposure... but it came at a high price. I had to spend many weeks of work, make hundreds and calls and send hundreds of emails to get the sponsorship I eventually got and to be honest... I am not good at that side so it was extra hard work.
Just a point... has anyone stood outside a store or in a shopping centre for 5 or 6 hours at a time holding a bucket that is getting forever heavier with nowhere to sit nor to put down the bucket, having to smile and be nice to everyone you meet regardless of how your feet and arms ache? ... and to do it not once but many times and on one occasion twice at the same port? Then have to spend a couple of hours counting the bagging the money. Then have to carry it by foot to the bank, normally a mile or two from the marina and in one case having to make two trips because I had too much money to carry all at once! If you have then you would know that I wasn't in this for myself... If I were doing this trip to gain personally from the sponsorship money there are much easier ways believe me... That is why I am so angry at hlb's continuous suggestions and intimations that I did it either for my own personal gain or personal promotion. If you look at the facts his arguement just doesn't stack up. He just dismisses all the evidence and although not actually saying it, he suggests that my motives are bad and that is a personal attack on my morals and my ethics. I cannot, and will not, just accept that kind of attack on me personally especially after having tried many times now to explain and to convince him of my motivations.
Just out of interest... if it wasn't an RNLI fundraising event it would have cost about £2000 less that it did, mainly because of event promotion, and that is almost exactly the sponsorship money I raised... so hlb, in a roundabout way, I DID pay full price for the trip because it cost me about the same money as it would have done if I wasn't trying to promote the event to raise RNLI donations... funny that isn't it... which would you prefer... a leisurely trip around Britain with no obligations to sponsors and helpers or spend £2000 more promoting the event for the RNLI and get £2000 of sponsorship money to pay for the extra costs in the hope that I could raise some serious money for the RNLI...? I can see nothing there that even suggests that I did this for the money. I have worked my butt off trying to get sponsorship initially then trying to get the donations without much success at either and although I am happy that I have raised some funds for the charity, in hindsight, give it hasn't been worth the enormous extra effort I have had to put in for a relatively small benefit to the RNLI. I suppose that is why I have been upset and hugely disappointed since my return. I should be happy that I amanged to go round in a 21ft boat 100% safely and without incident... instead, all I feel is disappointment that I didn't raise much for the RNLI... funny eh?
I think my error was expecting that boaters would want to donate. It has been pointed out here many times, and quite correctly, that most boaters already give to the RNLI. I think I assumed, incorrectly, that they might see to giving a little more given my rather challenging task. I was wrong and in hindsight I should have spent a lot more time on none boaters... they might not ever need the RNLI themselves but they have family, family they love, that might need them and they probably don't already give. That is possibly why my supermarket collections were so successful... the families and friends of boaters that want to help the RNLI to potentially save their loved ones. My mistake.
So in summary then...
- the trip was about 1/2 paid for through sponsorship and 1/2 by me (estimate as accounts still to be done) but most of the sponsor money paid for costs that I wouldn't have had if I was not collecting for the RNLI... So effectively... I paid for the trip myself and the sponsors paid for the extra promotional stuff because it was an RNLI fundraiser. The exception to this was the berthing where I seeked free berthing so there was less pressure on me to move on before the weather was right.
- I have no embarrasement about taking money from sponsors... they knew that money was for my costs and they were getting PR value in the process.
- Of course I wanted to do the trip for myself but there seemed so much interest that I felt that I could do some good by raising a serious amount of money for the RNLI in the process but I knew it would require extra funds to publicise it and to raise the event's public profile if I was to get a significant amount in donations. So I opted for sponsorship. The more sponsorship I got the more promotion I could get for the event and the more money I would get for the RNLI... that was my thinking behind sponsorship.
- I paid for all boat preparation myself and not from sponsorship funds including purchase of liferaft, new clothing and lifejacket, extra safety equipment, sea survivl course etc. I did not want to benefit permanently from sponsor funds... anything that was a permanent upgrade to the boat was paid for by me.
- I am making accounts available to all sponsors and anyone else who asks for them. I believe that if I am asking people for money towards the costs of an event like this then they should know where their money went. Also, if I am asking others to believe my claims hat the money was properly spent then they too should see where this money went If anyone wants a copy of the accounts just ask by emailing me (no PMs please, I won't respond as I won't have a central record of the requests) ) at "Paul atsign churchley dot org" and I will gladly send them a copy when they are done... probably in September.
OK... I have gone on long enough (most would say too long I am sure!) and the truth of the matter is that I am very much fed up with it now. The past 9 months has quite worn me out and now all I want to do is put it behind me and get on with other things. Please, argue amongst yourselves if you like as to the merits of what I tried to do and what I actually did but whatever you do... please continue to give to the RNLI through my web site or in your own way... at the end of the day that is the only thing that really matters IMO.
Paul Churchley
Arny
So without "getting in a huff" as some people think I have done PLEASE let me clarify a few fundimental points about the trip that a few, including hlb, either don't know or refuse to believe or accept.
Firstly the idea that I would have put this event together to get a free boat trip round Britain is not only 100% wrong but it is totally preposterous. Yes, I got some sponsorship... but without it I would not have got the exposure nor the support I felt I needed to raise the public profile sufficiently. I wanted the event to be BIG news with the sole and only intention of getting more donations... it was and is nothing to do with my own profile.
Secondly, ALL the money donated to the RNLI went to the RNLI... every penny. Every penny donated either through the web site or in a bucket while on route. I have only ever taken money to help pay for the trip if it was given to me personally with the sponsor's full knowledge that their sponsorship money was to pay for the trip. There is never any suggestion that I would consider taking money donated to RNLI. So, with that in mind, those sponsors that did give me money towards the costs must have thought it worth while to do so and that was their choice.
My issue with Haydn is that he refuses to believe, or so it seems, that I could be doing this for the RNLI and not for my self. I suppose the more accurate way of describing it is that I was doing the trip for myself and the fundraising for the RNLI. I find it enormously upsetting given the HUGE effort I have put in and the hundreds of hours I have spent trying to get people interested in the event so that I could raise funds for the RNLI, to suggest that I was doing it all for my own benefit and gain.
It was mentioned that some people gave a lot of money to me for doing this... no person nor company has given me as sponsorship more than £400 cash. Suzuki gave me the aux engine and engine servicing but for that they got exposure on every piece of documention, business card, flyer and the web site and I think that was value for money and so that was nothing more than a purchase of some PR exposure. I see the sponsorship from almost all of the other sponsors in the same light. I was not just taking money for my own use. I took their money and offerings and delivered a public exposure for it whilst trying to raise money for a charity... a worthy cause IMO. So I do not feel bad nor embarrased about getting sponsorship for the trip... it added to the public awareness, added to the sponsors exposure... but it came at a high price. I had to spend many weeks of work, make hundreds and calls and send hundreds of emails to get the sponsorship I eventually got and to be honest... I am not good at that side so it was extra hard work.
Just a point... has anyone stood outside a store or in a shopping centre for 5 or 6 hours at a time holding a bucket that is getting forever heavier with nowhere to sit nor to put down the bucket, having to smile and be nice to everyone you meet regardless of how your feet and arms ache? ... and to do it not once but many times and on one occasion twice at the same port? Then have to spend a couple of hours counting the bagging the money. Then have to carry it by foot to the bank, normally a mile or two from the marina and in one case having to make two trips because I had too much money to carry all at once! If you have then you would know that I wasn't in this for myself... If I were doing this trip to gain personally from the sponsorship money there are much easier ways believe me... That is why I am so angry at hlb's continuous suggestions and intimations that I did it either for my own personal gain or personal promotion. If you look at the facts his arguement just doesn't stack up. He just dismisses all the evidence and although not actually saying it, he suggests that my motives are bad and that is a personal attack on my morals and my ethics. I cannot, and will not, just accept that kind of attack on me personally especially after having tried many times now to explain and to convince him of my motivations.
Just out of interest... if it wasn't an RNLI fundraising event it would have cost about £2000 less that it did, mainly because of event promotion, and that is almost exactly the sponsorship money I raised... so hlb, in a roundabout way, I DID pay full price for the trip because it cost me about the same money as it would have done if I wasn't trying to promote the event to raise RNLI donations... funny that isn't it... which would you prefer... a leisurely trip around Britain with no obligations to sponsors and helpers or spend £2000 more promoting the event for the RNLI and get £2000 of sponsorship money to pay for the extra costs in the hope that I could raise some serious money for the RNLI...? I can see nothing there that even suggests that I did this for the money. I have worked my butt off trying to get sponsorship initially then trying to get the donations without much success at either and although I am happy that I have raised some funds for the charity, in hindsight, give it hasn't been worth the enormous extra effort I have had to put in for a relatively small benefit to the RNLI. I suppose that is why I have been upset and hugely disappointed since my return. I should be happy that I amanged to go round in a 21ft boat 100% safely and without incident... instead, all I feel is disappointment that I didn't raise much for the RNLI... funny eh?
I think my error was expecting that boaters would want to donate. It has been pointed out here many times, and quite correctly, that most boaters already give to the RNLI. I think I assumed, incorrectly, that they might see to giving a little more given my rather challenging task. I was wrong and in hindsight I should have spent a lot more time on none boaters... they might not ever need the RNLI themselves but they have family, family they love, that might need them and they probably don't already give. That is possibly why my supermarket collections were so successful... the families and friends of boaters that want to help the RNLI to potentially save their loved ones. My mistake.
So in summary then...
- the trip was about 1/2 paid for through sponsorship and 1/2 by me (estimate as accounts still to be done) but most of the sponsor money paid for costs that I wouldn't have had if I was not collecting for the RNLI... So effectively... I paid for the trip myself and the sponsors paid for the extra promotional stuff because it was an RNLI fundraiser. The exception to this was the berthing where I seeked free berthing so there was less pressure on me to move on before the weather was right.
- I have no embarrasement about taking money from sponsors... they knew that money was for my costs and they were getting PR value in the process.
- Of course I wanted to do the trip for myself but there seemed so much interest that I felt that I could do some good by raising a serious amount of money for the RNLI in the process but I knew it would require extra funds to publicise it and to raise the event's public profile if I was to get a significant amount in donations. So I opted for sponsorship. The more sponsorship I got the more promotion I could get for the event and the more money I would get for the RNLI... that was my thinking behind sponsorship.
- I paid for all boat preparation myself and not from sponsorship funds including purchase of liferaft, new clothing and lifejacket, extra safety equipment, sea survivl course etc. I did not want to benefit permanently from sponsor funds... anything that was a permanent upgrade to the boat was paid for by me.
- I am making accounts available to all sponsors and anyone else who asks for them. I believe that if I am asking people for money towards the costs of an event like this then they should know where their money went. Also, if I am asking others to believe my claims hat the money was properly spent then they too should see where this money went If anyone wants a copy of the accounts just ask by emailing me (no PMs please, I won't respond as I won't have a central record of the requests) ) at "Paul atsign churchley dot org" and I will gladly send them a copy when they are done... probably in September.
OK... I have gone on long enough (most would say too long I am sure!) and the truth of the matter is that I am very much fed up with it now. The past 9 months has quite worn me out and now all I want to do is put it behind me and get on with other things. Please, argue amongst yourselves if you like as to the merits of what I tried to do and what I actually did but whatever you do... please continue to give to the RNLI through my web site or in your own way... at the end of the day that is the only thing that really matters IMO.
Paul Churchley
Arny
rubberduck
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
hi haydn,
I ve been away for a while reflecting on the amount of pm complaints I received following one thread, i came back tonight and before I could read what **** i had typed the pm complaints had started .
[/ QUOTE ]
Funny you should say that as I have noticed the viewing figures for this forum seem to have dropped from around 100 to around 30. Could there be some underlying reason for this?
hi haydn,
I ve been away for a while reflecting on the amount of pm complaints I received following one thread, i came back tonight and before I could read what **** i had typed the pm complaints had started .
[/ QUOTE ]
Funny you should say that as I have noticed the viewing figures for this forum seem to have dropped from around 100 to around 30. Could there be some underlying reason for this?
mainshiptom
Well-Known Member
This forum is all about taking adise from others, I make a lot of mistakes but some were saved by listing to wise men here !
I will not mention any names you know who you are !
I think Arni had an idea and had to go with it but would not take questions or advise!
Tom
I will not mention any names you know who you are !
I think Arni had an idea and had to go with it but would not take questions or advise!
Tom
mm1
Well-Known Member
Hi arny,1st of all i would like to say what a great achievment you made &well done, i had been away for a while & was interested as to the out come,i am sorry there is such bad feeling around ,the trick is to learn from it & rise above it,once again well done regards m m 1. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
D
Deleted User YDKXO
Guest
Well, despite intially criticizing his venture, I did make a donation thru his website but, if he did put a post on here slagging off the forum for not contributing enough, I really wish that I hadn't. Shame on him
MedDreamer
Well-Known Member
I have really mixed views about Arnys trip.
I'm sure his intentions were honourable and sincere, you've only got to look at his website and the effort he made to raise the profile of his trip so see that. I think to suggest that effort was just about covering his costs is I believe quite wrong.
I also believe that what he actually achieved was quite a feat of endurance that should be recognised and admired. Not in the Dame Ellen league but still worth noting.
However he has failed badly on the forum from a PR angle, he can look to blame other people for that but I'm afraid from what I read it's mainly down to him and yes he did post "slagging off" the forums (lack of) contribution.
I'm sure his intentions were honourable and sincere, you've only got to look at his website and the effort he made to raise the profile of his trip so see that. I think to suggest that effort was just about covering his costs is I believe quite wrong.
I also believe that what he actually achieved was quite a feat of endurance that should be recognised and admired. Not in the Dame Ellen league but still worth noting.
However he has failed badly on the forum from a PR angle, he can look to blame other people for that but I'm afraid from what I read it's mainly down to him and yes he did post "slagging off" the forums (lack of) contribution.
SnaxMuppet
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Funny you should say that as I have noticed the viewing figures for this forum seem to have dropped from around 100 to around 30. Could there be some underlying reason for this?
[/ QUOTE ]mmm... perhaps the fact that the trip is now finished might have something to do with it???
I am surprised it is that high now that the trip is over.
Funny you should say that as I have noticed the viewing figures for this forum seem to have dropped from around 100 to around 30. Could there be some underlying reason for this?
[/ QUOTE ]mmm... perhaps the fact that the trip is now finished might have something to do with it???
I am surprised it is that high now that the trip is over.
SnaxMuppet
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
I think Arni had an idea and had to go with it but would not take questions or advise!Tom
[/ QUOTE ]Tom,
No one on the forum except a very small few know me nor know what advice I took or sought before and during the event. I don't think I could have sought nor taken any more advice. The RNLI advised greatly in the early stages and I followed almost all of that advice... why? Because it was GOOD ADVICE and it made sense. I canvassed friends and family some of which came up with good ideas and some not so good. I contacted previous Round Britainers and took very much on board what they had to offer.
In the early stages of the planning I also asked questions on this forum thinking that I might get some great advice from the hugely experienced membership BUT, and this is the key point with regard to this forum, I was slagged off and ridiculed in the early stages for:
1) doing it at all in such a small boat
2) Asking the questions in the first place on the basis that if I needed to ask then perhaps I wasn't experienced enough to do the trip in the first place.
I know I did get a lot of positive responses but the scale of the attack on the trip in the first place and on my abilities to do it was so much that I rapidly gave up on this forum as a likely source of good advice. Every time I posted here there was always a few people who ignored most of what I said in the post and just had a go at me or the event in general. This was completely watering down the real question because I spent all my time defending myself for asking in the first place! So as far as this forum was concerned... yes, I stopped asking for advice here because every time I did certain people would ignore the reason behind the post and use the thread as a way to put down the event or me.
I believe that this forum really does have a very false impression of me, what I did to get advice and how ready I was to accept and follow that advice.
I would say though that with an event like this advice is just that - advice... ultimately it was down to me what advice I followed and so with such a public event advice comes in from all quarters, much of it conflicting. I have to sort out what advice I want to follow and when I do I am then acused of not following advice by those that gave me advice that I chose not to follow. It is a conundrum that is impossible to resolve satisfactorily and so ultimately I did what I thought was best and accepted that I would be seen by some as not taking what they thought was good advice.
I had to follow my own personal experience and gut feel and I am 100% happy that the advice I took was good and I think that the result proved that - no incidents and the trip safely completed.
In hindsight, what I could have done with was more advice on PR... the boating side was sorted - I had good personal experience and good (in the main) advice from others. What I screwed up with was the PR side, both on this forum and generally for the event, and I believe that is where I have seriously screwed up. I think someoneon this thread suggested that... you are right.
I am sorry that you feel that I didn't take advice but Tom, honestly, you just couldn't be more wrong.
I think Arni had an idea and had to go with it but would not take questions or advise!Tom
[/ QUOTE ]Tom,
No one on the forum except a very small few know me nor know what advice I took or sought before and during the event. I don't think I could have sought nor taken any more advice. The RNLI advised greatly in the early stages and I followed almost all of that advice... why? Because it was GOOD ADVICE and it made sense. I canvassed friends and family some of which came up with good ideas and some not so good. I contacted previous Round Britainers and took very much on board what they had to offer.
In the early stages of the planning I also asked questions on this forum thinking that I might get some great advice from the hugely experienced membership BUT, and this is the key point with regard to this forum, I was slagged off and ridiculed in the early stages for:
1) doing it at all in such a small boat
2) Asking the questions in the first place on the basis that if I needed to ask then perhaps I wasn't experienced enough to do the trip in the first place.
I know I did get a lot of positive responses but the scale of the attack on the trip in the first place and on my abilities to do it was so much that I rapidly gave up on this forum as a likely source of good advice. Every time I posted here there was always a few people who ignored most of what I said in the post and just had a go at me or the event in general. This was completely watering down the real question because I spent all my time defending myself for asking in the first place! So as far as this forum was concerned... yes, I stopped asking for advice here because every time I did certain people would ignore the reason behind the post and use the thread as a way to put down the event or me.
I believe that this forum really does have a very false impression of me, what I did to get advice and how ready I was to accept and follow that advice.
I would say though that with an event like this advice is just that - advice... ultimately it was down to me what advice I followed and so with such a public event advice comes in from all quarters, much of it conflicting. I have to sort out what advice I want to follow and when I do I am then acused of not following advice by those that gave me advice that I chose not to follow. It is a conundrum that is impossible to resolve satisfactorily and so ultimately I did what I thought was best and accepted that I would be seen by some as not taking what they thought was good advice.
I had to follow my own personal experience and gut feel and I am 100% happy that the advice I took was good and I think that the result proved that - no incidents and the trip safely completed.
In hindsight, what I could have done with was more advice on PR... the boating side was sorted - I had good personal experience and good (in the main) advice from others. What I screwed up with was the PR side, both on this forum and generally for the event, and I believe that is where I have seriously screwed up. I think someoneon this thread suggested that... you are right.
I am sorry that you feel that I didn't take advice but Tom, honestly, you just couldn't be more wrong.
mainshiptom
Well-Known Member
Army
Advice here is not only technical?
Most people on this forum are talented is all sorts of ways and that is why they can afford a boat?
I take back anything which will offend you, but I have lots of thanks to this forum and the guys that have over the years helped and given support to each and every one of my posts, I have saved thousands of pounds by just listing to others and their experience.
But sure at the end of the day it is you that will make the decision, some people here will have a laugh but they do care !
Tom
Advice here is not only technical?
Most people on this forum are talented is all sorts of ways and that is why they can afford a boat?
I take back anything which will offend you, but I have lots of thanks to this forum and the guys that have over the years helped and given support to each and every one of my posts, I have saved thousands of pounds by just listing to others and their experience.
But sure at the end of the day it is you that will make the decision, some people here will have a laugh but they do care !
Tom
Major Catastrophe
Well-Known Member
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Funny you should say that as I have noticed the viewing figures for this forum seem to have dropped from around 100 to around 30. Could there be some underlying reason for this?
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mmm... perhaps the fact that the trip is now finished might have something to do with it???
I am surprised it is that high now that the trip is over.
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Your continued arrogance staggers me.
Do you really believe that people viewing the MOBO forum has dropped because you have finished your trip?
I really wish you would drop this as every post you make only makes the hole you have dug for the last few months, bigger.
As I said before, your trip was commendable, your intentions were commendable, but I really cannot take your arrogance. You ask if anyone has ever stood outside a supermarket for six hours a day. I am sure there are plenty who have gone above and beyond on the call of duty for charity. Collecting for Royal British Legion every day for seven days to spending a two week holiday doling out soup in the dead of the night to the homeless on the streets of London, or spending ten days leave building a school in Kenya. And I am sure there are many other similar stories that can be told on here.
I am sure you are a really nice guy face to face, but your really should review what you write before you hit the 'submit' button.
[ QUOTE ]
Funny you should say that as I have noticed the viewing figures for this forum seem to have dropped from around 100 to around 30. Could there be some underlying reason for this?
[/ QUOTE ]
mmm... perhaps the fact that the trip is now finished might have something to do with it???
I am surprised it is that high now that the trip is over.
[/ QUOTE ]
Your continued arrogance staggers me.
Do you really believe that people viewing the MOBO forum has dropped because you have finished your trip?
I really wish you would drop this as every post you make only makes the hole you have dug for the last few months, bigger.
As I said before, your trip was commendable, your intentions were commendable, but I really cannot take your arrogance. You ask if anyone has ever stood outside a supermarket for six hours a day. I am sure there are plenty who have gone above and beyond on the call of duty for charity. Collecting for Royal British Legion every day for seven days to spending a two week holiday doling out soup in the dead of the night to the homeless on the streets of London, or spending ten days leave building a school in Kenya. And I am sure there are many other similar stories that can be told on here.
I am sure you are a really nice guy face to face, but your really should review what you write before you hit the 'submit' button.