The charity night of the year!!

If you're reading this, you no doubt know I do a lot of fundraising for Cancer Research UK....I became involved as a volunteer fundraiser after losing my dear friend Sarah to cancer in 2008.  It amazes me every day when I see people passionately raising funds and awareness for a cause close to them - one such person who I came across on twitter last year, through my connection to CRUK, was Harry Moseley.

Harry sadly lost his life, way too young, to brain cancer on 8th October 2011....but in his short life, he touched so many hearts with his love for life, and his passion for helping others.  I was honoured earlier this year, to take part in the Reading Half Marathon as part of team Running for Harry and have been so touched to see people from all around the country, and indeed the world, fundraising in his memory.

When Harry's Ball was announced on twitter, and I saw my lovely friend Michelle Porter announce she was organising a twitter table, I jumped at the chance to be a part of what was sure to be an unforgettable event....

A few months after booking my ticket, Cancer Research UK announced the UK Stand Up To Cancer event....on the same night as Harry's Ball.  I was disappointed to find I'd be missing such a huge event, for a charity I'm so passionate about, but at the end of the day it was a TV show....and also quite fitting that 2 such major events should be running concurrently.

I was absolutely wowed by Harry's Ball.....fantastic organisation - not by people in the events business who get paid to run slick, posh parties - but by two people, touched by Harry and his story, who threw their hearts into putting on an event enjoyed by over 1200 people!

If you're ever lucky enough to meet Harry's mum, and listen to her speak about Harry, and Help Harry Help Others, you will clearly see where Harry got his determination, spirit and kind heart.  Losing a child is every parent's worst nightmare, and yet the strength she has shown despite her pain, inspires me every day.

For anyone who doesn't have a charity particularly close to them, but would like to get involved with a fantastic cause, please consider supporting Help Harry Help Others - not only are they helping to fund vital research into brain cancer, but they are also helping families affected by cancer with financial and emotional support.

The above photo is now known as my 'I carried a watermelon' moment....when Oliver Phelps so patiently posed for 3 takes of this photo, and all I could think of to say was 'which twin are you?' :D (if you don't get that movie quote, shame on you!!).

Thanks to my lovely companions Amanda, Claire and Lisa and to Michelle for organising our tickets and hotel, if it hadn't been for Michelle's help, I would probably not have made it to the ball!

Thanks also to organisers Pete and Tim, to the gorgeous Jack Groom for my kiss and to Harry's mum, Georgie for being just amazing.

I'm thrilled to say that Harry's Ball raised an incredible £101k...amazing!  And while the ball was in full swing, the UK pulled together and raised an amazing £6.5million for Cancer Research UK's life-saving work!

Together, we will beat cancer
Nx

Shine 2012

My very first blog post, more than two years ago, was about 'Shine' for Cancer Research UK....my reasons for doing it last year, and again in 2012 remain the same - to help beat cancer.

I was really pleased that a whole group of us from twitter had signed up to take part - lots of banter on our 'Team Shine' facebook group in the lead up to the event helped to keep us all focussed and also to share our concerns and last minute panics!  #Teamshine was made up of @surzy, @theramblingduck, @tractorboy21, @thornykate1, @pottijo, @amandaattwoodh.

So, on Saturday 29th October, #Teamshine all met at the pub across from Battersea Park train station - joined by 2 of Kate's friends, my friend @Pennysophia25 and a friend of a friend Stuart - got ourselves all togged up in our red, white and blue themed outfits and we were ready to go!

It always takes a long time to get going at these mass participation events, but by 9:30pm we were finally over the start line and raring to go.  For about the first 4 miles, we managed to loosely stay together, but as Penny and I strolled through the first 'Pit Stop', not realising that the others had stopped until we had a text from Amanda, it became clear it was going to be tricky to stay together.  This is the main reason, I've decided not to do Shine again next year - having done Mt Snowdon with a group of friends just 3 weeks previously, I'd prefer to stick to events where we can stick together as a team.  Anyway.....

The next pit stop with toilets was at 10 miles, so we stayed in touch with the group behind by text and the plan was to meet up there - however, after standing in the queue for the loo, it suddenly became clear just how cold it had become.  We managed to meet up with Jo and after unsuccessfully trying to find out where the rest of the group were, we decided it was too cold to stand around and off we went.


The halfway point is always uplifting.....for about a minute.... until you realise it's cold, it's the middle of the night and you still have 13 miles to go!! The sign at the halfway point told us it was 5 miles til the next pitstop so we decided not to stop but march on the the 18 mile point.

At about 17 miles, Penny started to complain that her ankle was hurting.....the alleged 18 mile pitstop, turned out to be at 19 miles and by the time we got there poor Penny was really struggling - as were many other people!  This pitstop was quite a sight - massive queues for the loos, and the medical tent was over capacity, people sitting/lying all over the place with foil blankets.  Sadly, Penny had to make the choice to stop and to take the bus back to Battersea Park to have her ankle properly seen to.  Jo and I headed off, as the others were still a couple of miles behind.

The rest of the walk was uneventful (aside from a lovely sunrise as we approached Battersea Park) - Jo and I crossed the finish line about 9.5 hours after we started and I then stayed to wait for the rest of the team to finish.  Sarah and Amanda crossed the line after over 11 hours of walking and still managed this with a smile on their faces, despite lots of aches and pains - they were even on the telly!!


For me, it was a good night, I didn't really struggle physically apart from freezing whenever I stopped walking, but my biggest disappointment was the fact that we couldn't finish as a team.  We are planning on a #teamshine reunion soon.....in the pub!!


I did shed some tears at the end when I went to meet Amanda with a hug....we all had our reasons for taking part in Shine this year, but it's particularly raw for her right now - seeing her face brought back all those memories of helplessness while watching loved ones fight this awful disease.  One day we will #kickcancer.

Nx