OFF TO WALK 54 MILES

A few punters for the Cateran Trail in Scotland on 26 June. 54 miles is a snip they said. It was an interesting evening with many people who came up and took an interest. The flag is a very good way to attract a bit of added interest.  We had one really good volunteer in the evening who had been collecting for the charity all day. She had picked up on the web that we were looking for volunteers and has been helping us over four days. She comes  all the way from Wood Green at the far endo fthe Piccadilly Line. If we  have good people like her we wont go far wrong. She suggested we ask London Transport if they could help charity volunteers with transport costs on the underground. Why not ? It would be the so called Big Society in action.

THE HAPPY COUPLE

Robin and Celia Bacon taking it easy after manning our stand at the Ideal Home Show for a few hours. Celia has been up for a whole day previously so well done her. She leaps forward to unsuspecting couples and charms them to sign the flag and then interest is achieved. A small donation follows and then they are in danger of being signed up for a 54 mile walk in 24 hours. I saw one Granny slightly startled at the proposition. Celia is very good at it too. Meanwhile Andy McMenemy has completed his 9th marathon in 9 days.

8 DOWN and JUST 58 to GO!!

This is Andy warming up with the Mayor of Nottingham before the Nottingham Marathon.  He looks in good nick doesnt he? I mean the Mayor!!  It is remarkable that a human body can do so much and I watch Andy on his challenge with great awe. He is completing each marathon under the 6 hours.  Remarkable.

DIVERSITY DIGS

This rather lugubrious collection of bods is a diversity training group of our staff and in the centre of those standing is our tutor Shelley Collins who managed to hold our attention over some fascinating facts about religion, race/ethnicity and gender.  We go about our lives without grasping what is happening in these areas of our lives in this country and in the world. and from time to time it is worth reflecting. I have to admit however that I didnt attend the whole day as I was sent to the corner and eventually sent away for speaking too much.  So it is  "Show again" on another day. An interesting morning.

A VERY BUSY WEEKEND!!!!!

This was a ridiculously busy weekend for the charity.  Andy Reid and Josh did a 10 K run in  St Helens and here on the right we see Andy doing the last 2 Kms on his prosthetics, a really remarkable achievement.

Meanwhile there was activity at the Ideal Home Show and a couple of very young supporters. I have an idea they are related to someone in the office, do I detect a resemblance?

On the left  there is Barry doing the Fleet half Marathon which he broke the existing record of 1 hour 42 mins in a new time of 1 Hour 37 mins. He looks pretty chipper.  So he should have no problem in doing the marathon in a few weeks time and smashing another record..  Brilliant. 

If that wasnt enough Andy McMenemy was running in Wakefield  and Sheffield and he is going well. Since then he has been in Lincoln and Nottingham to day.  7 down and 59 to go.  We all salute this amazing attempt and when you put all these things together there is an enormous amount of visibility going on for the charity. I have to confess that I did not run or anything over the weekend.

I SURVIVED!!

The County Chairmen of the South East seemed reasonably happy over matters and I survived a potential mauling. This shot shows the team after a gruelling meeting looking pretty happy in the garden of the Deputy Constable of Dover Castle. The County Chairman of these counties have raised £360k in this year, a stupendous amount!! I think they deserved a break in a lovely garden. We were hosted by Jill and Simon Wolsey who are both in the piccy. We value these links with Regional Commanders as they encourage us in our work. It was a lovely afternoon and now a rush to get back for a brief on Soldier Challenge who have reached capacity at 1036 bookings. More about this at the weekend.

DOVER CASTLE TALKS and a NEW RECRUIT

Busy day on the seaside playing sandcastles? But in fact this is the venue for the Regional Planning meeting with the Chairman from Surrey,Sussex, Kent. In the foreground is Shannon Lloyd who is the new Regional Director for Surrey and West Sussex. She thought the caption should read "Me and my NEW home". So now off to meeting and I will let you know how we get on. I seldom get away unscathed!!!