Tuesday, 10 June 2014 09:12
18 countries in one day – the feat a Financial Planner will attempt
Travelling to 18 different countries by car in one single day may seem a challenge verging on the impossible.
But that is exactly what one Financial Planner and his assembled team have set their sights on achieving.
And if Phil Billingham's team is successful it will set a new record.
Mr Billingham, CFPCM, managed to travel to 12 European countries in 24 hours in 2001, a feat which has since been bettered by other challengers.
He said there is probably only a 50/50 chance of success and luck will be required but he aims to raise a bucket load of cash for three charities with the attempt. The target is £18,000.
He will be assisted by Shannon Currie, Duncan Mackenzie and Gerry Mulligan on 22 June.
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He said: "This has been on my mind for a while so a few weeks ago I spoke to a client and we put a team and plan together.
"It's all by car and the rule is that you have to go physically into the country.
"Some of the countries we will dive across the border, get photos and evidence and then move to the next place.
"Some we will be in for a matter of seconds, others for a few hours."
The team will be using an app to track their journey to use alongside picture and video evidence to prove they have beaten the record – should they manage it.
Mr Billingham, who runs the Phil Billingham Partnership, said: "I think it will stand as a record for a while if we do it as it's going to be tough.
"This is a carefully planned trip, and the distance can be covered safely, at legal speeds.
"It will take careful planning and attention, but it is doable."
Google Earth has been used for meticulous preparation.
Mr Billingham said: "We are as prepared as we can be and after that it's a question of luck."
The journey will begin along the Polish border with Slovakia before moving to the Czech border.
The intention is to raise funds for:
The Stroke Association in Wales – helping Stroke survivors in Wales
Tom Bowdidge Foundation – in memory of a young man taken far too soon by cancer
The Elsie Normington Foundation, providing care and support in Inverness for those with learning difficulties
The full list of countries is:
Poland
Czech Republic
Slovakia
Hungary
Romania
Serbia
Bosnia
Croatia
Slovenia
Italy
Austria
Germany
Lichtenstein
Switzerland
France
Luxemburg
Belgium
Holland
But that is exactly what one Financial Planner and his assembled team have set their sights on achieving.
And if Phil Billingham's team is successful it will set a new record.
Mr Billingham, CFPCM, managed to travel to 12 European countries in 24 hours in 2001, a feat which has since been bettered by other challengers.
He said there is probably only a 50/50 chance of success and luck will be required but he aims to raise a bucket load of cash for three charities with the attempt. The target is £18,000.
He will be assisted by Shannon Currie, Duncan Mackenzie and Gerry Mulligan on 22 June.
{desktop}{/desktop}{mobile}{/mobile}
He said: "This has been on my mind for a while so a few weeks ago I spoke to a client and we put a team and plan together.
"It's all by car and the rule is that you have to go physically into the country.
"Some of the countries we will dive across the border, get photos and evidence and then move to the next place.
"Some we will be in for a matter of seconds, others for a few hours."
The team will be using an app to track their journey to use alongside picture and video evidence to prove they have beaten the record – should they manage it.
Mr Billingham, who runs the Phil Billingham Partnership, said: "I think it will stand as a record for a while if we do it as it's going to be tough.
"This is a carefully planned trip, and the distance can be covered safely, at legal speeds.
"It will take careful planning and attention, but it is doable."
Google Earth has been used for meticulous preparation.
Mr Billingham said: "We are as prepared as we can be and after that it's a question of luck."
The journey will begin along the Polish border with Slovakia before moving to the Czech border.
The intention is to raise funds for:
The Stroke Association in Wales – helping Stroke survivors in Wales
Tom Bowdidge Foundation – in memory of a young man taken far too soon by cancer
The Elsie Normington Foundation, providing care and support in Inverness for those with learning difficulties
The full list of countries is:
Poland
Czech Republic
Slovakia
Hungary
Romania
Serbia
Bosnia
Croatia
Slovenia
Italy
Austria
Germany
Lichtenstein
Switzerland
France
Luxemburg
Belgium
Holland
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