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As you can see we have released a book and a film of our incredible journey around the world.

We have much more in the planning stage and news of upcoming Challenges will be published on this page in the future.

So please keep visiting this page within our web site for the latest news updates

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News update November 2019

Hi everybody I am back with you once more and my apologies for not posting an update sooner. Since my last update I have been focusing on getting the GET CHECKED message across, although I didn’t manage to get TV and Radio exposure on this occasion I did manage to attend charity events with the GET CHECKED Suzuki Vitara which was the centre of attraction. I used the car overlaid with the GET CHECKED graphics as my every day transport, where ever I went it turned heads and when I parked people would ask me what it is all about. It is gratifying for me to know that during the 12 months we have been exposing GET CHECKED to the public some of those people who I come in contact with directly or indirectly ended up having a health check. We have done our bit as far as promoting public awareness of getting checked early in life if you want to avoid treatment or surgery later, I am happy with our effort but it’s now time to wind down GET CHECKED and move on.

The proposal to drive twice around the world continuously is still on the table, but there is however a number of issues that needs to be addressed before we can move forward. The 35,000 mile 7 month journey is something that needs a great deal of thought and detailed planning before undertaking. At 80 years old, all be it some would say, a young and energetic 80, I will be if I decide to take it on, be stepping outside my comfort zone, so to speak, into one of the most hostile and dangerous, ever changing environment you could imagine. It’s what a young person should be doing not some old man like me the problem is it’s in my blood and on my mind all the time thinking about how we can overcome the issues and problems that we are facing.

You may recall that when we did The Ultimate Challenge, an around the world journey back in 2013, 5 weeks before departure day March 31^st I was told by my consultant that I had prostate cancer that needed urgent attention I kept it to myself at the time and only told my wife after we had completed the journey. A few weeks after arriving back I had my prostate removed; I was told at the time that had I left it any longer I would have caused serious non-operable damage, I was lucky I got away with it. After a period of stability my blood tests started to indicated a steady increase in my PSA count normally if you have your prostate removed you shouldn’t have a PSA count the general consensus is that the reason I have a reading is because when I had my prostate removed they left behind cancerous tissue that has now become active, after much discussion with people who know about these things and meetings with my consultant the case was made that I should have a six week course of Radiotherapy starting 2^nd of December and finishing mid- January. Not the nicest prospect for the festive season but I will just have to get on with it and get it done, and if it’s a success I can scratch one issue that I mentioned above.

I will get back to you in January to let you know if my treatment was successful, till then take care and have a happy Christmas. Les

May 2019 Update

Hi everyone I am back with once again and trust you are well and the past weeks have been kind to you. As for me my life recently has been one ongoing round of medical checks and visits to various consultants to establish if I will be healthy and fit enough, should I decide to take on TWC (The World Challenge). But before I go any further I would like to first mention my progress with GET CHECKED, you may recall that I mentioned previously I have been driving my white Suzuki Vitara overlaid with GET CHECKED graphics in and around the south, I have used the car as my day to day transport and it never fails to turn heads driving along the High street or for people who stop to read what we have to say when parked. I would like to think our effort has prompted people to think about our message and actually GET CHECKED. I will continue as before for a few more weeks and see what happens but at some point in time we will have to finish the GET CHECKED programme so we can concentrate on other things.

Apart from everything else I have been thinking about or been involved in over the past year I have also undergone a continious round of medical checks and visits to one consultant or another to establish whether I will be fit enough to take on TWC (The World Challenge) should I decide to take it on, that is. The outcome of all the tests so far and putting to one side that I have an active prostate, an irregular heartbeat, partially deaf, and have the odd dizzy spell if I do something my body thinks I shouldn't be doing, I am healthy for a man of my age, 79 this July.

Let's talk shop for a moment; TWC is still on the table although the chances of me making the starting line are slim but let's wait and see. I received some unwelcome news from Suzuki recently which doesn't help the situation, as you are well aware the motor industry is in a bit of a mess at the moment due to the drop in sales caused by one reason or another and the knock on effect it has on joint projects such as ours with Suzuki, so I wasn't altogether surprised when I received a phone call from the head of Press and PR informing me that due to the current financial restrictions imposed on his department financial support for TWC is no longer available. Although not totally unexpected I was saddened to hear of their decision. From what I understood from our conversation no financial help will be available but support and help in kind, would be available similar to that what was provided for the Ultimate Challenge should we decide to proceed with TWC, two steps forward one back.

Ever the optimist, I decided to find out what driving Licence I need if I wanted to drive to Greece at short notice. The first thing I found out is that I will need two Licences you need the traditional UK drivers' licence as supplied by the DVLA, with at least a year before it expires, I will explain why further on. To travel through Europe you now need an International Driving Permit obtainable over the counter at the post office, what you need to take with you when go is your valid UK driver's licence, if it runs out in six months they will tell you to come back when you have renewed it. You will also need your passport and a passport photo of yourself witch the person behind the counter will fix to your new International Drivers Permit. The new Permit will cost you £5, but bear in mind the new permit will not cover the whole of Europe you will have to tell the person behind the counter what countries you intend to visit so they can stamp your permit accordingly, it could be that you will need more than one permit, heaven help us. Speak to you again soon.

Les

March 2019 Update

Hi everyone I trust you are well and remaining upright, you will remember that in the January update I reviewed the situation relating to TWC (The world challenge) scheduled to start March next year, also how GET CHECKED is progressing, if you want a reminder as to what GET CHECKED is all about visit the GET CHECKED page indicated above.

My general assessment is that there has not been any change, the indecision about Brexit and the instability around the world remains the same. When I talk to business people about GET CHECKED or TWC they politely listen to what I have to say but won’t commit themselves to anything, its soul destroying knowing what the answer will be before you ask the question. Disappointing it may be on occasion, but to say it’s a waste of time, I don’t think so, my reason for saying that is because some of the people I have spoken to, will I believe, be supportive if and when the situation improves. In the mean time I will continue to keep my shoulder to the wheel as far as promoting GET CHECKED and researching TWC and hope that in the coming months I will be able to bring you more favourable news.

On a lighter note I mentioned a while back that to promote GET CHECKED we acquired from Suzuki one of their Vitara S, a top of the range model, which we plastered with GET CHECKED graphics. I drive the car whenever I travel to meet with possible sponsors and other interested people. Driving the car regularly has given me an opportunity to evaluate its suitability for long distance travel; I specifically asked for our car to be supplied with a manual gearbox. I have driven this model before but with an automatic gearbox, I drove it to lands-end Cornwall and back to carry out a fuel economy check, if I remember correctly we averaged a little over 55 MPG at a cruising speed of about 60 MPH.

The day after I got back from Cornwall I was able to put the car through its paces on the skid pan at the Thruxton race track Andover to check the extremes of handling. I think you can say I have been able to thoroughly test the VITARA. I have Over the past months come around to excepting that it’s a nice car to drive, its light to drive, and quick if need be, and above all very fuel efficient for a petrol engine version, around town 46 MPG and motorway driving at 60 MPH about 56 MPG, but of cause it depends on the way you drive. It’s a quiet car to drive and the seats are bum friendly although if you are like me an extra cushion for long journeys should be considered. Generally the finish is good and like all Suzuki’s the kit and equipment is functional and reliable, the dash layout needs to be looked at again and there are to many gizmos’ for my liking. Would I be happy to drive the Vitara S twice around the world ? If the vehicle was properly prepared and world wide support from Suzuki, I probably would.

Towing my boat to Greece.

For those not familiar with the story about me towing my boat out to Greece can catch up by reading the first part of what happened in the January update. The lady who replied to my advert in the local paper for someone to accompany me to tow my boat out to Greece and I got on quite well, everything was set to go until unexpectedly my son in-law told me he was selling his truck, so I had no vehicle to tow the boat. Fed up, I spoke to my lady co,driver about the situation and with tongue in cheek I said sod the boat lets go anyway, she agreed. Pleased I had dumped the idea of towing the boat to Greece and all the problems it created I booked the flights and we turned up at Gatwick at about 4am Thursday 20^th December relieved that we would soon be on our way! No such luck, that was the day the drone closed Gatwick airport, we ended up waiting in the departure lounge for almost 20 hours.

They cancelled the flight and we eventual arriving home at 4am the next morning knackered. I slept most of Friday but not wishing to except defeat I contacted my travel agent who managed to get us tickets on the last flight before Christmas to Athens. The next morning I hired a car and drove the 6 hours to Lefkas our destination. Anyone want to buy a boat! That’s it for the time being.

I hope you will all remain safe and well.

Les

January 2019 Update

Hi everyone a happy, prosperous and safe New Year to you all. It’s a time to reflect on the impact 2018 had on you personally and what’s instore for us all during 2019. During my business heyday I was often referred to as the supreme optimist, pushing aside the doom and gloom of the time, facing forward and get on with the job, it worked for me then and I see no reason why it won’t work for me now. However bearing in mind the current doom and gloom being spread about I would be a fool if I didn’t apply an element of caution within my thinking as I bring everything together throughout the coming year.

Cheer up, the worst they can do is brick up the tunnel !Let’s have a look at where we are at the moment, towards the end of last year I acquired a Suzuki Vitara partly for testing and evaluation as to its suitability for me to sit in it and drive around the world twice continuously, about 35000 miles and a journey that last about 7 months. While carrying out my assessment of the Vitara and having time available we decided that we would launch GET CHECKED a public health awareness initiative, for more information about GET CHECKED see our website. Since before Christmas I have been using the Vitara, plastered with GET CHECKED graphics, as my daily transport to achieve maximum exposure and will continue to do so during the first half of the year. To help promote GET CHECKED and as part of the testing of the Vitara we are considering the possibility of organising a journey driving the Vitara around Britain. The first part of our journey, we propose to drive from Lands-End to John- A- groats and back again, to make it interesting we will visit places of interest as we travel. If we go ahead as suggested we should have the details sorted and everything up and running ready for the February update.

The World Challenge, (TWC) the main event, scheduled to start March 2020, should allow sufficient time for the fallout after BREXIT to settle down and providing the world is safe enough for us to proceed I will continue to bring the event together. There are a lot of issues that need to be addressed but nothing insurmountable. We have the basis of a programme in place but I need to do more work on it before we release some of the detail, more on TWC soon.All the above presupposes that I will live long enough to do it. I am at the moment having a series of health checks to see if there is anything lurking, but so far apart from my prostate witch is receiving treatment,at the moment, and having my ticker checked at the end of the month, everything else seems OK. It will be just my luck to be signed of as serviceable; then get run over by a bus.

This will cheer you up! The November update I mentioned that I had acquired a 24 foot sail racing boat and I had decided to tow it out to Greece at the assistance of my daughter I arranged for a friend to accompany me to make sure I didn’t fall asleep at the wheel I also arranged to borrow a truck from my son in law to tow the 2-5 ton boat and trailer. I completed the tunnel, ferry and accommodation bookings ready to depart on the 19^th Dec, easy peesy all done and dusted. Two days later I got a call from my friend to tell me he couldn’t come I thought about the situation and decided to place an add in the local paper, I worded the add as follows HOME ALONE OVER CHRISTMAS OR WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN TO TOW A BOAT TO GREECE. The paper came out the following Friday and I waited for the phone to ring, it eventually did, I lifted the receiver and introduced myself a lady replied in a firm but soft voice, your add in the paper can you tell me more witch I did, she then said she would like to join me and went on to say she was H G V AND BUS DRIVER DIDN’T DRINK OR SMOKE AND HAD EXPERIENCE DRIVING ON THE CONTINENT I thought for a moment then said I have a problem, what’s that she said, all the accommodation has been book for twin bedded rooms I said, don’t worry about that she said, I nearly swallowed my Addams apple as I looked up and said to myself thank you lord!! I couldn’t believe my luck. I will let you know what happens in the February update.

Take care Les

December 2018 Update

PINK CHAMPAGNE DRAGON BOAT TEAM

Hi everyone I trust you are well, I received a call a few weeks ago from a friend who suggested that I contact the PINK CHAMPAGNE DRAGON BOAT TEAM I was interested in what he had to say, more so when he told me that they have three boats crewed by ladies who have all survived cancer.

My friend also said they are struggling at the moment to raise the money to pay the council annual waterside storage charge for the boats. Interested enough to see if we could help I contacted Veronica the secretary, a lovely lady, and arranged to meet her at their headquarters at Hengistbury Head, Christchurch. Hearing first-hand what Veronica had to say it wasn’t long before I was convinced we should do something.

We decided we could help in two ways, first by making a donation towards the council rent on behalf of our charity Heaven Can Wait I’m Busy, second by filming the presentation of our cheque and posting the film clip on the internet to publicise what they do.

Watch the short film to see what life after cancer is all about.

Wishing you all a Merry Healthy Christmas and Happy New Year

Les.

November 2018 Update

Hi everyone it’s nice to be back with you once again with the latest news update I am pleased to say that “GET CHECKED” was officially launched on the 2^nd of November and is now up and running. If you would like to know more about “GET CHECKED” tap the latest news box for more information. I managed to get pictures and editorial published in two local papers and time on air with the Julian Clegg early morning show on Radio Solent, ITV Meridian said they would do something but it was deferred due to priority news but said they would do something later, on reflection we did pretty well to get the media coverage we did.

While spreading the “GET CHECKED “message I came in contact with the Chairlady of the Pink Champagne Breast Cancer Survivors Dragon Boat team, a jolly bunch of Ladies who compete against other Dragon Boat teams up and down the coast. Like most self-funding worthy causes they are struggling financially, during our conversation it was mentioned that they were trying to raise money to pay the council’s waterside storage fee. Fund raising to address the matter is underway but I felt we could help, we are a charity and in the past we have looked favourably at situations such as this, I suggested on behalf of “Heaven can wait I’m busy” I would give it some thought. After giving the matter further consideration I concluded that the charity was in a position to help by making a donation of £500, with the request that we formally make the presentation at the next training day Nov 17^th at Hengistbury Head activity centre Christchurch. A little bit of help from us means a lot to theses lovely Ladies, more on this soon?

As I have already said “GET CHECKED” is a public awareness initiative on behalf of our charity Heaven can wait I’m busy, we want the public whenever they see or hear the words “GET CHECKED” to remind themselves what it stands for and what the consequences are if they do not take health awareness seriously. For the next few months we will be touring the south driving the Suzuki Vitara plastered with the “GET CHECKED” graphics attending as many events and public gatherings as possible getting the message across and handing out literature as well as talking to the media at every opportunity. If you are aware of an event where we can wave the “GET CHECKED” flag please let us know through the website contact box. Keep an eye on the website for more Information. Just to remind you that we haven’t gone soft on world events. While “GET CHECKED” is making a name for its self we will be at the same time be working on the next world challenge scheduled to get underway spring 2020, I will start to release detailed information of the event as it becomes available in the new year.

On a lighter note, those who know me know whenever possible I like to get on the water out in Greece when I can, I have lost count of how many boats I have owned of one sort or another and each time I sold a boat I promised my lovely wife Vi (Violet) that was the last one, no more boats? Anyway the end of last year Vi was given the all clear after recovering from Lymphoma and I was getting fed up because I didn’t have boat to play with. I talked to Vi about letting me buy another boat, the last one again, after a bit of huffing and puffing and one of my special tantrums she agreed and I wasted no time in purchasing a J24 racing sailboat that I had my eye on. The boat was at Poole Dorset, I had seen it in the water but not on the trailer, when I went to collect it, it was ready for me but I had forgotten what a beast it was out of the water on the 30 foot trailer. I towed it home and parked it in the drive. Sadly my lovely Vi past away February this year due to a recurrence of Lymphoma so the boat has been parked in my drive ever since. Not wishing to let the boat occupy half my drive for ever I decided to tow the boat out to Greece over the Christmas Holiday. I will let you know if I get there in one piece in the next News Update.

Take good care of yourselves. Les

October 2018 Update

Hi everybody nice to be back with you once again, as for me it’s been the worst year of my life but thankfully there is a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel witch I hope will lead to me getting my life back to some sort of order. Enough of feeling sorry for myself, in spite of what has happened during the past I am still running like a headless chicken trying to drive everything forward. The first thing to mention is that the next world challenge is now scheduled to start March 2020 there is a number of reasons for this, one is, the world has become unstable and will affect our safety and security as we travel, hopefully it will settle down by the time we go. Another reason is I need time to have treatment for my prostate witch has become active, I must admit I’m a little concerned but, what the hell. I also have other urgent matters I need to sort out so the extra time available will be welcome.

You may recall that I mentioned in my last update that as we have the time available we were going to squeeze in another event between now and the next world challenge. The event is something different to what we have done in the past, what we have decided is to devote the next ten months or so promoting “GET CHECKED” we will be traveling around the South, initially, also generating the media interest to get the” GET CHECKED” message across. The official launch date for “GET CHECKED” is 2^nd November.

Our mission is to remind the public of the consequence of not getting checked early in life if they want to avoid illness or surgery later. It’s a bit more involved than that but you get the idea. Rather than going into detail now I have included the contents of a temporary hand out I produced for the public witch is more informative and will help you understand what GET CHECKED is all about. To help us get our message across we will be driving around in a specially prepared Suzuki Vitara see the picture. For those who have a story to tell about the loss of a loved one you can talk to me via the website.

Latest Media news 25^th I was interviewed on Julian Clegg morning show Radio Solent this morning 7.25 and will be back on the show on the 2^nd November, launch day, I was in contact with Meridian TV they were interested in what I had to say so hopefully they will give me some air time we also have two local papers who have promised me some editorial.

Back again soon. Les

August 2018 New Update

Hi everyone I am glad to be back in contact with you, the last few months have been sheer hell having to learn to cope with life without my lovely Wife Vi who passed away last January. I am once again back on track and facing the right direction, and boy do I have some news for you.

In spite of what has happened recently the guys and I have been slogging away at our programme for the remainder of this year and up to the end of 2020. First I would like to confirm that the next major event titled DRIVE TILL I DROP is scheduled to depart the UK on 31st March 2019 a record attempt to drive twice around the world, North to South and West to East continuously, but more on this later.

Because we have the time and resources available to us between now and the departure of DRIVE TILL I DROP the team has agreed to organise an event that will benefit every man, woman, and child throughout Britain Supported by Suzuki GB we will drive two Suzuki Vitara overlaid with graphics projecting the message, you only have one life “GET CHECKED” and live it! It’s all about public awareness of the consequences of not getting checked early in life if you want to avoid surgery or treatment later, our message is clear, a few minutes of your time and a few simple tests now could save your life “GET CHECKED”. The provisional launch date for GET CHECKED is Friday 28th September starting in the south and will eventually travel throughout the country. We will be publishing more information as part of our regular “GET CHECKED” updates so please keep in touch. Les

"Why not take this opportunity to purchase a copy of our Film and Book"

The Book

The book begins with an autobiographical account of Leslie's life and what motivated him to take on The Ultimate Challenge, then continues with Les and the team, all in their seventies, driving two Suzuki Jimny's around the world.

Les tells this story in his own inimitable way

Based on Leslie's daily diary's... it is a full, frank, no holds barred account of a journey that the group undertook overcoming the logistical, personal, technical and mechanical challenges along the route.

Click on the book to order your copy at only £9.99

an ebook version is also available at £3.99 incl tax

Click HERE to find out more about the book

The Film

The epic story of the Ultimate Challenge is told in a six-part TV series and DVD set, due for release spring 2016.

We follow Les Carvall and the team from planning and training for the journey of 18,600 land-miles and share the emotional highs and lows of the journey, stunning scenery and their triumphant arrival in New York after five months on the road!

Click above to watch the Trailer

Nearly 3 hours of television featuring footage captured by the team throughout their incredible adventure and reflective interviews with everyone who took part.

Click HERE to order your copy