A different kind of challenge

September 15, 2014
by Rodney Olsen
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Hope

I reckon that the ice bucket challenge is a brilliant idea. It’s put a worthy cause in front of millions of people around the world.

Today I’d like to nominate you for a different kind of challenge. Check out the video for some details.

Every year since 2009 I’ve travelled between Albany and Perth, a distance of over 500 kilometres, by bicycle. I’ve taken on the challenge to raise funds for some very worthy causes but this year I’m looking forward to the ride even more as I support what I consider to be the best cause of all.

Back in the saddle

This October I’ll once again be taking part in the Ride for Hope. The ride will involve more than 30 cyclists, our biggest group ever, riding over 500 kilometres from Albany to Perth. As part of the event this year I’m raising money for Compassion.

If you’ve been following my blog for any time you’ll know that I work for Compassion, but I’m not supporting Compassion simply because it’s my job to do so.

I work for Compassion because I am convinced that there is no more effective organisation serving the world’s poor. I have seen no other method of working with those in poverty that even comes close to the way that Compassion is working.

I’ve seen Compassion’s work first hand in Haiti, Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Ethiopia and Rwanda. Every time I visit another church that is partnering with Compassion I am amazed at the change it is making in the lives of the most vulnerable members of our world, children.

My fund raising target is $2000. To reach that goal I need 20 people who are prepared to donate $100. Can you please consider being one of those people?

Of course I understand that not everyone can afford to be so generous so please consider giving whatever you can. The need is desperate and any donation of $2 or more is tax deductible in Australia. (Donations are still welcome from anywhere in the world.)

If you’d like to make a difference in the lives of children who desperately need your support, simply visit my fundraising page.

I can assure you that your money will be well spent in releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name.

For the 13th consecutive year, Compassion International has earned the highest rating for U.S. charities from Charity Navigator—the nation’s largest charity evaluator. The 4-out-of-4 stars rating places Compassion International in the top one-percent of non-profits reviewed by Charity Navigator

Let me thank you in anticipation of your support for children in poverty.



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Pedalling Hope

August 6, 2014
by Rodney Olsen
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Hope

Every year since 2009 I’ve travelled between Albany and Perth, a distance of over 500 kilometres, by bicycle. I’ve taken on the challenge to raise funds for some very worthy causes but this year I’m looking forward to the ride even more as I support what I consider to be the best cause of all.

Back in the saddle

This October I’ll once again be taking part in the Ride for Hope. The ride will involve more than 30 cyclists, our biggest group ever, riding over 500 kilometres from Albany to Perth. As part of the event this year I’m raising money for Compassion.

If you’ve been following my blog for any time you’ll know that I work for Compassion, but I’m not supporting Compassion simply because it’s my job to do so.

I work for Compassion because I am convinced that there is no more effective organisation serving the world’s poor. I have seen no other method of working with those in poverty that even comes close to the way that Compassion is working.

I’ve seen Compassion’s work first hand in Haiti, Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Ethiopia and Rwanda. Every time I visit another church that is partnering with Compassion I am amazed at the change it is making in the lives of the most vulnerable members of our world, children.

My fund raising target is $2000. To reach that goal I need 20 people who are prepared to donate $100. Can you please consider being one of those people?

Of course I understand that not everyone can afford to be so generous so please consider giving whatever you can. The need is desperate and any donation of $2 or more is tax deductible in Australia. (Donations are still welcome from anywhere in the world.)

If you’d like to make a difference in the lives of children who desperately need your support, simply visit my fundraising page.

I can assure you that your money will be well spent in releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name.

For the 13th consecutive year, Compassion International has earned the highest rating for U.S. charities from Charity Navigator—the nation’s largest charity evaluator. The 4-out-of-4 stars rating places Compassion International in the top one-percent of non-profits reviewed by Charity Navigator. – PR Web

Let me thank you in anticipation of your support for children in poverty.



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Join me on the Ride for Hope 2014

May 9, 2014
by Rodney Olsen
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RideforHope

Looking for a cycling challenge that will help a great cause?

In 2009, seven Perth cyclists pedalled on a fund raising journey from Perth to Albany in Western Australia, a distance of over 500 kilometres.

After the success of the event, plans were made for a ride from Albany to Perth in 2010. That year eleven cyclists took to the roads.

So far five rides have taken place with the 2013 ride involving 21 cyclists and a support crew of 8.

In 2014 the Ride for Hope is on again, running from the 18th to the 25th of October. This year participants will be able to choose to support either SIMaid’s Girls off the Streets or Compassion Australia.

I’ll be riding for Compassion as I seek to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name.

We’re currently looking for cyclists and support crew. If you’re interested just head to the website for more details. Registrations close soon so …. get to it.

Saturday 18th October 2014: Perth to Albany – Bus
Sunday 19th October 2014: Rest Day
Monday 20th October 2014: Albany to Cranbrook 91 km
Tuesday 21st October 2014: Cranbrook to Katanning 80 km
Wednesday 22nd October 2014: Katanning to Wagin 55 km
Thursday 23rd October 2014: Wagin to Pingelly 100 km
Friday 24th October 2014: Pingelly to York 87 km
Saturday 25th October 2014: York to Perth 97 km
TOTAL: 510 km



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Eighty Years of Cycling

April 14, 2014
by Rodney Olsen
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Russ Travers

I taught myself to ride a bike when I was 16. I was a late starter but I’ve made up for it since by riding some very long distances.

Russ Travers started a lot earlier and has now been cycling for 80 years. He’s still at it and loving it. He describes it as an addiction.

Watch the video below and be inspired by Russ and his cycling addiction.

I’ll be 96 by the time I can say that I’ve been cycling for 80 years. I only hope that whether I reach that age or not, I continue to get out and ride.



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What will you be doing next week?

October 24, 2013
by Rodney Olsen
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I’ll be cycling over 500 kilometres next week so that young girls can escape the horror of an abusive past. I’m hoping that you think that that’s something important and that maybe you’ll be able to support some of those girls by sponsoring my ride.

Childhood should be a time of innocence, yet for millions around the world it’s a time of abuse, exploitation and despair. It’s impossible to imagine the horror a young girl experiences when she’s stolen from her home then raped a dozen times a day by different men to make money for someone else.

Human trafficking enslaves about 27 million people around the world. That is more than the population of Australia. Of these modern day slaves the UN estimates 79% of them are caught up in sexual trafficking. According to “Save the Children” at any one time across the world, around 1.8 million children are being abused through prostitution, child pornography and sex tourism.

I took a trip in December last year to Bangladesh and India to see the excellent work being done through SIMaid’s Girls off the Streets. I was so amazed at the work that is being done to bring hope and healing to young women who have been rescued from sex trafficking that I wanted to do more to help shine some light into some very dark corners of our world.

What I saw on my trip was young women, some very young, who had been sexually exploited and sold into prostitution but who are now growing in confidence as they learn to trust again and develop life skills that will give them a strong foundation for life ahead. Girls off the Streets is giving them a future and importantly, letting them know that they are truly loved.

Morning Cafe Ride for Hope

So next week I’ll be leading 98five’s Morning Cafe Ride for Hope. The ride will involve more than 20 cyclists riding over 500 kilometres from Albany to Perth. As part of the event I’m raising money for SIMaid’s Girls off the Streets. My personal fund raising target is $1500. Thanks to some very generous and caring people I’m heading towards that goal. Can you please consider helping me get across the line by making a donation?

Please consider giving whatever you can. What can you give? Five dollars? Ten dollars? Fifty dollars? The need is desperate and any donation of $2 or more is tax deductible (in Australia).

If you’d like to make a difference in the lives of young girls who desperately need your support, simply visit our fundraising page and choose my name from the drop down menu as the participant you’d like to support.

Let me thank you in anticipation of your support.



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