As five become seven the pressure rises...

The days are flashing by now. Less than two months until the team boards a Heathrow plane, bound for Singapore where we'll be greeted by an onward flight to Perth. The team, thrust together during the past 8 months, is now two people larger, and stronger because of it. Last Thursday I invited Bev Blackburn and Kate Brackenborough into the fold. They're not here to make up the numbers, they're ready to eat, breathe and sleep BoardFree.

There is no denying the potential of this project now. With the UK warm-up a success, over £3,500 raised for Link, Lowe and Sailability, publishers showing an interest in the story, new sponsors poking their heads above the wall of cautiousness; BoardFree is now ingrained into the vocabulary of thousands worldwide. There is far more ground to cover than the 4000 miles separating Perth from Brisbane, people are starting to realise that this journey isn't just about one man and his board.

Behind-the-scenes has gone unnoticed so far. Now, the weeks dissolving, 7 men and women are all on a mission. This project is not in any way funded by charity donations - every penny donated goes straight to the three charities we support. But there is a big financial cost, each member of the team is contributing to the operating costs out of their own pockets. The only way we are subsidised from the outside is through sponsors, and boy do we need them. Don't get me wrong, however quickly the team pool drains BoardFree Australia will run through to its conclusion, but those watching from the outside mustn't be mistaken - we are working to the bone to put this project together, to fund it, to lay its foundations. There are never enough hands though, if yours are empty please see if we can use you.

Here's my list of things to do tomorrow:
1. Pay for flights
2. Buy a new phone.
3. Start the wheel rolling on raising public awareness about BoardFree Australia, in Australia. Get on forums. Utilise contacts Down Under from family and friends and their friends and their family. Write to people. Write to companies. First though, research details of people and companies.
4. Pack a bag of t-shirts, wristbands, mugs and calendars for Becki to drive down to Paddle Round the Pier next weekend.
5. Write to every motorhome hire/ tour operator/ vehicle manufacturer or distributor in Australia to ask for help with a support vehicle.
6. Set up an Australian online donation website.
7. Register a domain in Australia that is more Down Under-friendly than the current .co.uk address.
8. Write content and take photos for BoardFree Initiative page on website. Then design page and integrate into website.
9. Compile a database of high-res images taken during and before BoardFree UK, for sponsors and media contacts.
10. Make a start on sample chapters for the BoardFree book.
11. Write and design new, updated Media Pack to send out to potential sponsors.
12. Send out items recently bought through BoardFree's eBay shop.
13. Liase with Sailability and other charities/ community groups in Perth to find a venue where BoardFree can set up an HQ for the fortnight prior to the journey.
14. Continue with design of BoardFree team kit in time for Monday's meeting with Kangaroo Poo.
15. Wash some clothes.
16. Eat at least once before 8pm.