Me with 2 out the 800+++ calendars we have sold in aid of Make A Wish
As many of you know by now, i am running the London Marathon on April 26th (16 weeks and counting down!!) in aid of the Make A Wish Foundation. First of all i better explain what Make A Wish is. Make A Wish is a world wide organistion that grants wishes to young people aged 3 to 17 years living with life threatening illness. To find out more about the wonderful work of Make A Wish simply click here
http://www.make-a-wish.org.uk/
I guess some of you will asking why Make A Wish. Two reasons our best friends lovely daughter Mikaela Nicol went over to Lapland with her Father David, Mother Moira, and her three lovely sisters Melanie, Melissa and Madeline with Make A Wish before she she died in 2003, and to this day its something they will always treasure. I remember seeing the video they took home with them and the real enjoyment/ fun they had to together whilst visting Lapland and Santa Claus even though Mikaela was seriously ill was wonderful to see.
Also when Stephanie was over in Disney this year working she often came in contact with young people who were there with Make A Wish, and even though many were seriously ill the real enjoyment and pleasure they got from visiting all their favourite characters in Disneyworld was there for everyone to see, and is one of Stephanie's most memorable moments from her time out there.
Therefore a few months ago i contacted Make A Wish and informed them i would be honoured to run the London Marathon on their behalf, if i got the opportunity. They in turn informed me that my name would go into a ballot and i would be notified if my name came out of the hat!!
Well as you can see it did, and it's a real honour to be running/jogging or even walking (whatever it will take) for this wonderful charity that brings so much pleasure to so much young people with life threatening illnesses every year. This year they have granted over 600 wishes in the UK and by the year 2010 they want to be granting 1000 wishes a year. I have already made contact at Scottish Headquarters, and Amanda the Regional Fundraising Manager has given me assurances that every penny i raise will spent in Scotland, and locally if possible. Over the next 4 months we as a family with your help hope to raise enough money to put a family from our area over to Disney World Florida for the holiday of a lifetime.
I am sitting here tonight quite humbled, so far in the space of six weeks i estimate we have raised approximately £1200. Most of this money has been raised through the sale of my calendars. We have sold over 800 which is quite remarkable given i thought we would maybe sell 100 at the most, and they are still selling well, thanks to M & Bs the shop in Queen Street!!
I was also down at the Fishermens Mission tonight for the Annual Christmas Carol Service and we received a cheque for the terrific sum of £360. This was a freewill offering which was given tonight in aid of Make A Wish. This was a wonderful gesture as the Fishermens Mission is charity as well, and in this difficult financial times is struggling to survive.
Often its said that the Scots/ Aberdonians are mean, but that couldnt be further from the truth, as we have proved time and time again at Peterhead Jogscotland. (Fred's Mother in Law has even being making and selling toffee in Aid of Make A Wish, and has raised about £80) Whether it be for Make A Wish, Help For Heroes, Cancer Research, Lifeboat etc etc every fund raising event we have had at Peterhead Jogscotland has been well supported i thank you one and all.
Over the coming months i will keep you informed how my training and our funding raising efforts are progressing.
We love being part of Peterhead Jogscotland, and all the wonderful friends we have made through Peterhead Jogscotland.
Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year
Stephen and Roselyn xxx
HELP FOR HEROES 5 and 10k