I'm back!

More than a month since I wrote but I have been doing a lot of the boring stuff in preparation for launching Miles for Smiles, hopefully before the end of the month.

I’ve been working with the ever creative and willing Design Links to get flyers and posters ready for the 500 miles Challenge and talking to people and groups about their various ideas for doing miles.

There are a lot of pubic safety issues to think about around the 500 miles Challenge. I received a call from St Leonards Police Station because policing is part of that process - but I am hoping that the upshot will be at least a couple of policemen doing a mile in the 500 miles Challenge!

I had a very helpful meeting with David Waddell of Edinburgh City Council’s Events Unit. David is going to help me to publicise the 500 miles Challenge within the Council and to use the Council’s communication networks to spread the word to clubs and schools.

I have also met Brain McAteer of Essential Edinburgh about some of the practical aspects of the 500 miles Challenge. Essential Edinburgh is the organisation which manages Festival Square and Conference Square for the owners and occupiers so he is concerned with safety and cleanliness but he has also been really helpful with practical ideas, contacts and communication with the owners of the buildings.

Table sales for the Miles for Smiles ball have been going very well indeed which is encouraging in this economic climate but unsurprisingly, sponsorship is hard to come by.

I have been starting to ask for raffle and auction prizes and will share news of the exciting things which are starting to happen when I can.