2005/2006 UK Highlights
Murphy’s Marbles launched my appeal at Westlands Golf Club. This meant that I got off to a flying start with £800 in the bank!
I have spoken to rotary clubs, women’s institutes, townswomen’s guilds, churches, annual general meetings, health conferences, pensioners’ groups and women’s fellowships. I addressed a TALIS (Third Age Learning International Studies) conference in Glasgow and I was an after-dinner speaker at the annual conference of the British Society of Gerontology at Keele University and at an East Midlands Age Concern conference. My speaking engagements continue. I have just received an invitation for August 2008!
I was interviewed by Liz Copper for BBC Midlands Today.
The Sentinel regularly reported my challenges and Staffordshire Life gave me a two page spread. I was mentioned in the Independent and the Sun and mentioned in Runner’s World, World Cycling, Kidney Life and other publications.
I spoke regularly on BBC Radio Stoke, Signal Radio and Cross Rhythms Radio.
I attended the Star Bikers Easter Egg Run at the King’s Hall in Stoke and spoke to 2000+ bikers about the NHS Organ Donor Register. I took part in their Christmas Toy Run Cavalcade on the back of a bike and I was given another opportunity to speak about the register and to sign up bikers.
A huge water colour of Stone High Street by six local artists was exhibited in the High Street on a Saturday morning. Stone Master Marathoners turned out to help and alongside my NHS Organ Donor exhibition the painting was raffled for £330. The Mayor and his wife attended. It was a lovely day and as someone had thoughtfully provided sherry and music we had a little dance!
I attended the Staffordshire University Fresher Fayre to promote my appeal and the NHS Organ Donor Register.
The Bilash Restaurant in Higherland promoted my appeal.
Abbots Bromley School for Girls made a donation and hosted a reception for me and the walkers accompanying me on the Staffordshire Way. They kept my exhibition on display in the school’s reception for two weeks.
A young people’s band, Sugardust, played a gig at The Talbot in Stoke and raised £300.
A Fun Quiz was held in the atrium of the new School of Medicine at Keele University.
A belly dancing evening at Churrasco garnered more cash.
I organised two Transplant Walks in Apedale Country Park. The first walk raised just over £1000 and the second just over £2000. There was a 2-mile stroll, a 6-mile walk and on the second occasion, a Dog Walk. Professor Simon Davies, Professor of Nephrology and Dialysis Medicine, attended both walks and he judged the Best Dressed Dog competition. Peter Moxon OBE, Deputy Lieutenant of Staffordshire, and the Mayor of Newcastle, Councillor Bill Sinnott, attended the second walk. The day was made doubly pleasurable by the hospitality of the Apedale Heritage Centre and the support and assistance of Newcastle Countryside Services.
To read about my visit to Ethiopia in May 2006 please click here