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Gabrielle Archer

Greek Islands Swim Trek 2

A Greek Adventure: From Athens to Santorini and Beyond

After a week of soaking in the rich history and breathtaking beauty of Greece, I'm excited to share the latest update on my journey.

Exploring the Wonders of Athens
I arrived in Athens a week ago, eager to explore the city that is often hailed as the cradle of Western civilization. My first stop was the iconic Acropolis, a must-see for any visitor to the city. Standing in awe of the Parthenon, I couldn’t help but wonder at the ancient world. The Temple of Athena Nike and the Erechtheion, with its famous Caryatids, were equally captivating. Each site brought to life the stories and legends I’ve read about, making history feel incredibly tangible.
I also wandered through the Ancient Agora, once the heart of public life in Athens, and climbed up Mt Lycabettus Hill, where I was rewarded with stunning views of the city. 

Santorini: A Blend of Adventure and Relaxation
From the ancient marvels of Athens, I traveled to Santorini, one of the most picturesque islands in the Cyclades. The island's dramatic cliffs and whitewashed buildings with blue domes were just as breathtaking as I had imagined.
My days in Santorini were a perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. I started with a hike from Fira to Oia, a stunning trail that offers panoramic views of the caldera and the Aegean Sea. The hike was challenging at times, but the views were worth every step.

Next, I indulged in a tour of the local wineries, where I tasted some of the island's finest wines. Santorini's volcanic soil gives its wines a unique flavor profile.
One of the highlights of my stay was a catamaran boat tour around the island. We sailed past the famous Red Beach and White Beach, each with its distinct beauty. The best part? We anchored at various spots along the way, giving us the chance to dive into the crystal-clear waters for a refreshing swim. It was the perfect way to experience the island from a different perspective.

Training in Perissa
As part of my preparation for the upcoming Cyclades swim trek, I did my first training swim on the beach of Perissa. The black sand beach, framed by towering cliffs, provided a stunning backdrop for my swim. The water was calm and clear, making it an ideal spot to get into the rhythm and prepare for the challenges ahead. Swimming in such a beautiful setting was a great reminder of why I embarked on this adventure in the first place.

Arriving on Schinoussa: The Cyclades Swim Trek Begins
Now, I've just arrived on the tranquil island of Schinoussa, where I’ve met up with the rest of the Can Too group. This tiny, serene island will be our base as we embark on the Cyclades swim trek. The atmosphere here is perfect for what lies ahead—calm, peaceful, and surrounded by the deep blue of the Aegean.
Meeting my fellow swimmers and the team has only heightened my excitement. There’s a shared sense of anticipation as we prepare to explore the Cyclades in the most immersive way possible—by swimming from island to island. I can't wait to dive into this adventure, and I look forward to sharing more updates as we make our way through these stunning islands.

Stay tuned for more as the journey unfolds!

Im off to Greece!

Hi everyone,

I'm thrilled to share that I am now on my way to Greece to embark on the CanToo Swim Trek! Over the past year, I've been training hard, pushing my limits, and preparing for this incredible journey. From early morning swims to intense training sessions, I've dedicated myself to getting ready for this challenge, and I can't wait to dive into the beautiful waters of the Greek Islands.
 
Starting on 1st September, I'll be swimming multiple open water swims each day, ranging from 1km to 3.5km. It's not just about fun and games; it's about putting myself to the test to raise vital funds for cancer research1. The support from my colleagues, friends, and family has been overwhelming, and I am incredibly grateful for every donation and word of encouragement.

Thank you all for your support, and I look forward to sharing my experiences and stories from this amazing journey. Together, we can make a real impact in the fight against cancer.

See you on my return – I'll be the one with a tan! 

Greek Islands Swim Trek: Can Too Charity Raffle

Greek Islands Swim Trek, Bottomless Lunch Odyssey (ticketebo.com.au)

Our Bottomless Lunch includes chance to win fabulous prizes! Each event ticket grants you four raffle entries, with additional raffle tickets available for purchase at $20 for a set of four. Remember, all proceeds from the raffle will directly support Can Too. Let's take a sneak peek at the exciting prizes:

  • Tech at its Finest: Data#3 and HPE have generously donated an Elitebook, a sleek companion for your tech needs, valued at over $1300.
  • Feel the Beat: Win a UE Boom Portable speaker, courtesy of Logitech, and take your tunes anywhere. Valued at $198.

  • Beauty and Care: Jade Walker & Co- Cosmetic Clinic offers discounts on treatments, pampering you with services valued at over $300.
  • Crystal Clear Calls: Jabra's Evolve 2 65 Headset could be yours, ensuring you never miss a beat in any conversation. Valued at $255.

  • Many by other fun prizes donated by friends and sponsors 

Good luck to all participants, and thank you to my kind sponsors and very generous friends for their amazing contributions. Your participation helps make a difference!

More prizes and information coming soon!!

Greek Islands Swim Trek: Bottomless Lunch menu

Bottomless Lunch at Darling Pavilion!


Altos Margarita on arrival - Sparkling wine or Beer during your lunch

Freshly Fried Corn Chips, guacamole & green tomato salsa

White Bean Hummus, Australian Olive Oil, dukkha, grilled pita

Salmon Tartare, fennel, fried capers, herb oil, sesame rice crackers

Fried Whole Baby Calamari, preserved lemon aioli, parsley, lemon

Mixed Grain Salad, grilled chicken, whipped feta, puffed rice, spinach

Smoked Beef Brisket Ragout, rigatoni pasta, cherry tomato, rocket, pecorino

(vegetarian menu option available)

Come join the Greek Islands Swim Trek: Bottomless Lunch Odyssey!

Get ready for the next step in my exciting fundraising journey: an incredible afternoon at the Greek Islands Swim Trek: Bottomless Lunch Odyssey, an exciting event with delicious food, amazing prizes, and a great cause!

Event Overview

When: 1PM, 3 Aug 2024
Where: Darling Pavilion, 1 Harbour St, Sydney NSW 2000
Tickets: $139 (includes bottomless lunch, a $50 contribution to Can Too, a gift bag, and four raffle tickets)

Greek Islands Swim Trek, Bottomless Lunch Odyssey (ticketebo.com.au)

What to Expect:

  • Bottomless Lunch: Enjoy a sumptuous spread while sipping on refreshing drinks.
  • Raffle and Prizes: Win fantastic prizes donated by generous sponsors like Philter Brewery, Logitech and L'Oreal.
  • Gift Bag: Take home a special gift as a thank you for your support.

Supporting Can Too

Your participation helps support Can Too, an organization committed to funding innovative, early-career cancer researchers who may not otherwise contribute to research breakthroughs. Can Too's mission includes:

  1. Cancer Prevention: Inspiring the community to achieve personal health and wellbeing goals through professionally coached programs.
  2. Cancer Research: Enabling fundraising to support cutting-edge Australian research projects focused on the prevention, care, and control of cancer.

About the Swim Trek

At the end of August, I’ll embark on a Swim Trek in the beautiful Greek Islands, swimming up to two legs daily, covering distances between 2km and 3.5km. This personal challenge aims to raise awareness and funds for Can Too's initiatives, supporting transformative cancer research.

Event Details

  • 1:00 PM: Arrival & Welcome with an Altos Margarita Cocktail
  • 1:30 PM: Lunch & Bottomless Lunch Service Begins
  • 3:00 PM: Raffle Draw & Prize Giveaways (Bottomless service ends at 3:30 PM, but you’re welcome to continue enjoying the venue!)

Parking:
Available at Harbourside Car Park and ICC Sydney Car Park.

Public Transport:
Easily accessible from Town Hall and Wynyard train stations, with several nearby bus routes.

Don’t Miss Out!

This event promises to be more than just a lunch—it's an opportunity to contribute to a vital cause while enjoying great food and company. Secure your ticket now for just $139 and be part of an inspiring community effort.

Stay Updated: For event updates and a sneak peek at our fantastic raffle prizes, this is the page to save.

We can’t wait to see you there and make a difference together!

Making Waves: Recap of Our Rainy Picnic Fundraiser for Cancer Research

Hello fellow swimmers and supporters,

I am thrilled to share the exciting outcome of our recent picnic fundraiser, despite the unexpected rainy weather! Yesterday, we gathered in the office instead of our planned outdoor setting, but that didn't dampen our spirits one bit. In fact, we had an incredible turnout and raised a total of $1710 for cancer research through the Can Too Foundation!

The generosity and support from everyone who attended truly warmed my heart. Your contributions will make a real difference in funding innovative research and programs aimed at preventing, treating, and ultimately defeating cancer. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a part of this meaningful cause.

Now, let's talk about the food! Despite the change in venue, we enjoyed a delicious spread that was nothing short of spectacular. From sliders to skewers, salads to falafel, and even mouthwatering lemon tarts, there was something to satisfy every craving. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to the culinary delights and made our indoor picnic feel like a gourmet feast.

Once again, thank you to everyone who participated, donated, and helped make our rainy picnic fundraiser a success. Your generosity and support mean the world to me as I continue training for the Swim Trek in the Greek Islands and raising funds for cancer research. Stay tuned for more updates and upcoming events as we journey together towards our fundraising goal.

Together, we are making waves and making a difference.

Here we go!

As some of you may already know, last year I embarked on a journey into ocean swimming, culminating in a 1km race. This year, I'm taking it up quite a notch by participating in an Open Water Swim Trek in the Greek Islands, all in support of a cause very dear to my heart: cancer research.

I'm thrilled to be raising funds again for the Can Too Foundation, an organisation that has been making significant strides in cancer research since 2005. With over $25,000,000 raised, their mission is clear: to enable and assist fundraising efforts that support innovation in the prevention, care, and control of cancer. 

Now, you might think a week swimming in the Greek Islands sounds like a vacation (and, truth be told, I won't complain about the scenery), but there's serious work to be done. Each day, I'll be pushing my limits with two to three open water swims, ranging from 2km to 3.5km each. It's not just about fun and games; it's about putting myself to the test to raise vital funds for cancer research.

The Swim Trek is set for the first week of September, and I've set myself a fundraising goal of $5000. I would be incredibly grateful for your support in this endeavor. Every donation, no matter how big or small, will make a meaningful difference in the fight against cancer.

Thank you for considering joining me in this worthy cause. Together, we can make a real impact.

I'm supporting cancer research and prevention with Can Too Foundation. 

1 in 3 women and 1 in 2 men will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. This means that potentially someone we love may have to battle cancer, and that's a statistic that needs to change. 

So I asked myself, "what can I do to help?" That's where the Can Too Foundation came in! Can Too provides professionally coached training programs for participants of any fitness level to run, swim and cycle their way to a healthier lifestyle and a cancer-free world. 

In return, I am raising valuable funds that go towards innovation in the prevention, care, and control of cancer. Since 2005, Can Too Foundation has trained over 18,000 participants and raised over $25,000,000 to invest in over 200 one-year cancer research grants.

It would be fantastic if you could sponsor me, or even better join me in a program!

Thank you for your support!

 

Please Help Me
Reach My Goal

Raised

$3,230

My Goal

$5,000

Enter an amount

$
Donate

Thank you to my Sponsors

$500

Anonymous

Well done Gab

$370

Data#3 Team

Go Gab, Donations from the Team Picnic

$300

Tasso

Go Gab!! See you in Greece…

$250

Cynergex Group Pty Ltd

Go Gab!!!

$250

Gaz

Legend 👌

$250

Joe Arcuri

Good Luck Gab, great personal achievement whilst raising funds for those in need.

$200

Paul And Sue Archer

$200

Ned Hussien

Keep going Gab, great cause

$100

The Calverts

Go Gab! Enjoy the Holiday! ;D

$50

Mauritz Smit

Great work Gabrielle

$50

Simon Ross

$50

Lou B

Proud of you, Gab!

$50

Daniel D'ambra

$50

Rod Ghanem

Great cause, well done Gab. Hope all goes well with your preparation.

$50

Alan Smith

Great work Gab, go get em !!

$50

Susan Loring

Fantastic effort

$50

Katrina Lawlor

Good luck!

$50

Gwenael Moreau

All the best Gab!!

$50

Abe

Good luck Gabs, great cause. Abes

$50

Hooman Shiraz

Well done Gab!

$40

Pia S

Go Gab!!

$30

Kylie Small

You're amazing Gab :)

$30

Mark Waeger

Best of luck with the fund raiser

$20

Samantha White

Great cause and good on you Gab!!

$20

Santosh Singh

$20

Josh Periscal

$20

Anonymous

$15

Madelynne Hioe

$15

Neelanjan Mukherjee

$15

Marevic Layson

$15

Xin

$10

Anonymous

$10

Won Kim