Good Luck with your tour. When a friend had to get sponsorship to go on a tour, she wrote "begging" letters to companies asking help with sponsorship. Companies she found were more willing to give out their products then money, so get in touch with local cycle/camping shops. Then, so the companies got free advertising she made T-shirts with all the companies that sponsored her. Also, you could ask sponsorship forms to be placed in local buliding societies, banks and shops. Ask nearly everyone you know as well. I can't advise really on what to take, as I took 3 towels on a tour to Denmark. My Dad has a Thorn EXP with Rohloff hub, and he really pleased with "his baby".
Ceri