HOPE AND HOMES FOR CHILDREN TREK A SUCCESS

As many clients will be aware, our Managing Director, Amanda Clarke, recently undertook a trip to Peru in order to raise vital funds for our adopted charity "Hope and Homes for Children".

Martin Bell OBE signing the book

In 2001 Amanda & her husband Paul, both trekked to Everest Base Camp in support of this charity. Since then they have heard amazing stories about the incredible transformations achieved by the work of this charity.

So far (at the time of printing) the total amount raised for the Peru trek is £3970. OPTIMUM sponsored the trip and has pledged to match every £1 raised, which means we have almost £8000. We hope to raise £14,000, which will go directly to the Bihor County Project detailed below.

The charity was founded by Mark and Caroline Cook in 1994, following Mark’s work with the United Nations peacekeeping force in the Balkans and against the backdrop of one million children growing up in state institutions in Eastern Europe in fear, poverty and unhappiness. The charity’s mission is to give hope to the poorest children in the world – those who are orphaned, abandoned or vulnerable – by enabling them to grow up in the love and support of a family unit and the security of a home.

To raise more vital funds for a project in Romania, which will secure the closure of the last remaining children’s state institution in the Bihor County, the trip included a trek to the ancient ruins of Macchu Picchu. As a result Amanda and Paul have created a book named “A Journey Through Peru” which contains insights into Peru and its culture along with colourful images of sights encountered during the Journey from Puno (on the Eastern Border with Bolivia) to the Inca Trail and Macchu Picchu. Martin Bell, ex-BBC Correspondent, supporter of the charity and UNICEF ambassador, has written the Foreword.

This limited edition document is available to just 50 people who donate in excess of £50. There are also 50 books, personally signed by Martin Bell and these are available to all those donating £100 or more.

An e-book version will be available on the website very soon. Keep an eye on www.optimum-training.com for more information.

To find out more about the charity visit www.hopeandhomes.org. When contacting the charity, please mention this publication.

Amanda would like to thank all our supporters for the donations contributed to date. She is committed to continue raising funds for this project until its completion.

Corey Rudl’s Wedding Extravaganza Seminar

Optimum's Managing Director Amanda Clarke recently joined internet marketing entrepreneur Corey Rudl and his new wife Tracy on their wedding extravaganza seminar weekend in Orange County, California.

In addition to being a celebration of the newly-weds' marriage, the event was also designed as an opportunity for some of the world's top entrepreneurs to share the secrets of their success.

Corey Rudl is widely acknowledged to be one of the world's leading internet marketing gurus, generating sales in excess of $8million per year, while at the age of just 30! One of Corey's guest speakers for the weekend was Brian Tracy, one of the world's leading motivational speakers, who told the story of how he became a multi-millionaire having started out with nothing.

Also speaking at the seminar was Public Relations consultant Paul Hartunian, who became world-famous as 'the man who sold the Brooklyn Bridge'. And if all that wasn't enough, Saturday night's special surprise guest turned out to be President George W. Bush and his wife Laura, in the photograph (right) the President is being shown how winning the American elections is as much about luck as winning at cards!

To find out more, speak to Amanda!

OPTIMUM Expands Its Horizons

OPTIMUM Coaching Ltd has recently been delivering courses in Dubai. The courses have included Recruitment & Selection, which involved training managers from companies in the Middle East in the most effective methods for securing the best staff.

2005 promises to be a great year with more projects in the Middle East, USA and Australia.