The members of Team 38(rediscovery) featuring Eyeglasses Boys, are participating in the event for the first time this year and are raising funds with a wonderful fundraising project: “The only bouquet in the world”.








■Q.1
This is the first time team 38(rediscovery) featuring Eyeglasses Boys are taking part in Oxfam Trailwalker Japan. So, what made you decide to organize the team? How did you find team members?

Our team leader Ms. Yoshimoto found the Trailwalker website and was interested in taking part last year, but she couldn’t find team members.
When visiting Angkor Wat in Cambodia, she happened to meet a person wearing a commemorative “Oxfam Trailwalker Japan 2008” T-Shirt. They hadn’t walked the course, but had been a Trailwalker volunteer. Hearing that the event was really wonderful, Ms. Yoshimoto was determined to join the following year.

With the help of friends from her school days and other acquaintances, she found some hiking lovers and organized the team.
The team members had never met before, but by exchanging e-mails and training together in the mountains, the team bond became deeper.

■Q.2
Have you changed anything in your daily routine since you decided to join Trailwalker?

Because all the other members are men and they are accustomed to hiking in the mountains, to get myself used to walking, I walk between 4 stations when I commute and use the stairs to my office on the 7th floor.(Ms. Yoshimoto)

I aim to walk 10km everyday and report the day’s achievement in my blog. Sometimes, there are people who don’t believe I’m participating in the event. So in my blog, I show how seriously I’m training for it. (Mr. Ikegami)

【Mr.Ikegami’s blog：　http://blog.goo.ne.jp/ikecha-n/】

■Q.3
What is the reaction of people around you?

There are various reactions. Some people are surprised and ask us “Why?”, or “Will you really walk 100km?” and some only say “Oh, really ” and seem indifferent.

■Q.4
I heard you are fundraising with a project called “the only bouquet in the world”. Can you tell us more about it?

With the cooperation of a flower artist, we sell flower arrangements named “the only bouquet in the world” and all the profits made are donated to our fundraising. The flower arrangements are sent with a message from the sender, a sponsorship leaflet, and a card explaining that part of the proceeds will be used to reduce the poverty in developing countries.

Some receivers sympathize with our concept and order arrangements, which is a wonderful chain reaction. We already have more than 10 orders but now Mother’s Day is coming, and we will promote the project more and more by showing the flower arrangements at events.

【The team’s sponsorship leaflet is here. (Japanese only)】

■Q.5
How did you start the project?

When were thinking of ways to raise funds, we remembered MAX Hideki. He’s a flower artist and a friend of mine.

We thought we could enjoy fundraising with this project because this way of fundraising is easier than asking people to donate money, and will also make the sender and receiver of the flowers happy. So we asked MAX Hideki to help us and he accepted.

■Q.6
MAX Hideki, how did you feel when you heard of project?

I have wanted to contribute to society using my skills so I was happy to get this chance.
I enjoy my work more than usual knowing that my flower arrangements will help reduce poverty in developing countries. Also, to donate as much money as possible, I have learned how to use flowers economically.

Now I personally support the project. However, the number of orders are increasing and I’m getting busier, so I now am asking my employer to support the activities.

■Q.7
Now you’re planning to hold another event, right?

Yeah, we’re holding an event called “Asian nights”.
There will be a live performance by a professional artist from Taiwan and a presentation about a triathlon taking place in Angkor Wat. Plus we’ll do some public relations for Trailwalker, promote our flower arrangements, and sell goods from Cambodia.

Mr. Ikegami, whose hobby is rakugo, is holding a rakugo party and will raise funds there as well.

■Q.8
How do you find fundraising?

We try to enjoy fundraising because if we see it as a chore, it will be difficult.

How about sending “the only bouquet in the world” to your mother or loved ones?
Application ：withnori@hotmail.com