Graeme's Testimonial - Bowling Night
Last night was the second event in Graeme's Testimonial year - a bowling night at Lakeside in Thatcham. There were two 'stages' - the first being for families at 6pm followed by adult teams at 8pm. Both were a sell-out with Reading players out in force together with their manager, Steve Coppell - all entering into the spirit of the occasion.
It was a fantastic evening and great fun. Such a pity that I was so embarassingly bad and let down the Swings & Smiles team! Our neighbours on the bowling lanes was 'Adam's Legacy' team captained by Chris Clayton, Adam's father. It was so sad thinking that Adam was due to be there and he would have enjoyed the evening so much.
Half way through the bowling we enjoyed a delicious buffet and at the end of the evening the presentations were made for the winning team, the best Reading player and the individual with the highest score. Ben Rice was the superb MC for the evening and he concluded the eveing by conducting the raffle and auction. £4780 was raised on the night. |
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Posted by:
Sian Cook
Wednesday 19 November 2008 18:00 |
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Progression Premier Fit Club
I received a cheque for £436 on behalf of Swings & Smiles on Monday at Progression Gym at Newbury Rugby Club. Amanda May on behalf of the twenty seven who completed the programme and Jon Moyes from the club presented the cheque. This programme combined exercise, nutritional advice and life coaching and the money raised represented a £1 for each pound lost which is the equivalent combined weight loss of two people! What a great idea and a fantastic way of raising money. Thank you so much to all concerned - your loss is our gain! |
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Posted by:
Sian Cook
Wednesday 19 November 2008 12:08 |
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Adam Clayton
Afam's family decided that they would like Swings & Smiles to benefit from all donations made in Adam's memory as they knew that this is what he would have wanted. This was a wonderful gesture for which we are really grateful. We will do our utmost to ensure that the money raised will be used on something specific at the centre that would be entirely fitting and something that will keep his memory alive.
Adam's funeral was a very special, if terribly upsetting, occasion. Shaw Church was absolutely packed with a great number having to stand at the back of the church. Chris Clacy, Chris Clayton, Adam's father and Graeme Murty gave fantastic tributes to Adam. Many present hadn't realised quite what a very able person Adam had been which made it all the more sad that his life had been cut so tragically short.
So far, £3,300 has been raised and Chris Clacy has set himself a personal target of £100k to raise in the next two years as well as making sure that everyone he comes into contact with knows about Swings & Smiles!
We have also had some offers of help from people who were freinds with Adam wanting to help raise money fro Swings & Smiles.
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH TO EVERYONE. WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR KINDNESS AND SUPPORT. WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT SOME GOOD COMES FROM SUCH A TRAGEDY. |
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Posted by:
Sian Cook
Sunday 9 November 2008 19:59 |
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St Gabriel's School, Newbury
Some wonderful news yesterday - I receieved a phone call from St Gabriel's School to say that Swings & Smiles had received the highest number of votes from a short-list of three to be the chosen charity for next term. We are absolutely thrilled to benefit from the charity term when the girls raise money in a varirty of ways culminating in the Sixth Form Ball. I have been invited to attend the assembly on the 8 November to give the girls more information about Swings & Smiles and to enable them to ask questions. |
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Posted by:
Sian Cook
Thursday 23 October 2008 15:10 |
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Newbury Young Farmers
Newbury Young Farmers contacted me recently to say that they would like to present us with a cheque for £250 at their AGM on 8 October. Unfirtunately, I couldn't attend and so Susan Langley represented Swings & Smiles.
The NYF are a group of young people aged between 10-26 whose common intreset is the countryside - you don't have to be a farmer to be a member. The group meet at Frances de Sales Hall in Wash Common from where they run activities for their members. They recently had a very successful year at the Royal County of Berkshire Show where they won many awards and praise for their enthusiasm.
They also run events to raise money for charity and this year have done so for S & S and the the West Berkshire branch of the Alzheimers Society.
A big thank you to the group and for the warm welcome they extended to Susan. |
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Posted by:
Sian Cook
Saturday 18 October 2008 12:24 |
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Adam Clayton
This is the hardest thing I have ever had to write and certainly the most difficult blog entry.
Adam passed away today. For those of you who don't know Adam, please have a look at the Lee Frame Trust blog entry for September and also the second newsletter in the 'News' section. I feel so privileged to have known Adam. He was a very special person and it is so utterly cruel that he should lose his own life after doing so much for his friend Lee. Adam was diagnosed with a brain tumour earlier this year and was determined to beat it and for it not to interfere with his life. A few weeks ago he was told that the tumour was aggressive and fast growing but he had such faith that he would overcome it and that he could return to Portugal in the new year and resume his golf and life.
Adam's other wish was to see Swings & Smiles come to fruition and that he wanted to do all he could to help. Even though he had been feeling rough, he helped with the bucket collection last Thursday at the racecourse. How many others would do the same?
I was fortunate enough to see Adam in hospital yesterday just before he had his first radiotherapy. When I left I wished him luck to which he replied that he didn't need luck as he would be fine. I only wish you were, Adam.
The world and Swings & Smiles will be a sadder place without you, Adam. We will make sure that your memory lives on. |
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| Chris, myself and Adam |
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| At Kick fm studios |
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| Cheque presentation to Graeme Murty patron and trustees of S&S from the Lee Frame Trust |
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Posted by:
Sian Cook
Thursday 16 October 2008 17:05 |
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Newbury Racecourse Collection
On Tuesday, I received a phone call from Vodafone offering us the chance to do the exit/bucket collection at Newbury Racecourse on the Thursday. While this was a short time to recruit volunteers, there was no way we could turn down such an opportunity! In the end we had about a dozen people collecting at any one time including Izzy Woodhead with Millie Marbus and Emma, Michelle and Rebecca Clark - who could refuse their smiles?!
It was a glorious day again for collecting and although the crowds were nothing like they had been when we collected on Saturday 20 September, they were certainly generous and we collected £864.64. We thought it might me about £400 if we were lucky so this was a fantastic amount.
Thank you to everyone who came to collect at such short notice. |
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Posted by:
Sian Cook
Saturday 11 October 2008 07:33 |
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Acres of Fun Nursery
If you went to this year's Royal County of Berkshire Show you would have almost certainly seen the Acres of Fun stand which was very colourful with many balloons. At the show, they provided a much-needed area for mothers needing to breastfeed and for nappy changing which was invaluable for me when I needed to change Amy. In return, they asked people to donate money to Swings & Smiles (they would have normally been raising money for the Royal Families but as this is Graeme's testimonial year, they are raising money for his chosen charity for the year instead).
Acres of Fun have given me a cheque for £500 from the money raised at the show together with some money raised from their Christma raffle.
Thank you very much indeed. |
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Posted by:
Sian Cook
Saturday 11 October 2008 07:23 |
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The Newbies and the Longmynd Hike
The Newbies are a group which include Tammy Courtney and Jules who decided to embark on the Longmynd Hile challenge and raise money for Swings & Smiles. The 50-mile hike took place over this past weekend within the South Shrophire and Welsh marshes with about 8000ft of climbing covering 8 summits, the object being to complete the course within 24 hours.
Tammy has emailed me about the challenge :
'It certainly was a BIG challenge. The weather was not very nice either with rain and very strong winds - especially at the top of the mountains. Unfortunately, due to my previous paralysis (Tammy was paralysed 6 years ago due to bilharzia of the spine), my legs did not cope so well so I only managed to make it to the 3rd check point (7miles) but that was after a 1600ft climb so it had been a tough 7 miles. I had also fallen down one of the hills and hurt my shoulder so carrying my backpack became uncomfortable. But I am glad I made it as far as I did - although I do wish that I had been able to do more...perhaps a challenge for next time.
Julie did very well but, unfortunately, due to an ankle injury, she had to stop at 22 miles which is the 8th check point. She hurt her ankle walking down one of the mountains and then the next climb was so steep she had to walk like a penguin in order to get up it - but she did very well considering that it was her first attempt.
I hope the fundraising has helped everyone at Swings & Smiles'
So far The Newbies have raised £320 for Swings & Smiles. Thank you so much for raising this fantastic sum of money and for putting yourselves through so much in the process. |
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| Team Photo |
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| The First Peak! |
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Posted by:
Sian Cook
Monday 6 October 2008 09:06 |
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Sarah Whatmore
Derek Hardman, one of our trustees, discovered recently that Sarah Whatmore, Harry's mother, had pledged to donate a percentage from her eBay sales to Swings & Smiles. Sarah buys items of jewellery to sell from a variety of suppliers but always includes the rare and gorgeous gemstone Tanzanite in her shop as it's one of her favourites. She also likes to act as a personal shopper for her customers finding them a particular piece they are seeking within their budget. Sarah sends them pictures to choose from with no obligation to buy and feels a great sense of satisfactionwhen she finds their ideal item and always tries to have at least one charity item listed at any one time.
Thank you Sarah! |
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| One of Sarah's Tanzanite Rings |
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Posted by:
Sian Cook
Sunday 5 October 2008 16:17 |
