Raised: 133%
Target: £2,500.00
Raised so far: £3,313.00
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My story

 

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The James Herriott Way Walk fund-raising event was successfully completed from Friday 18th - Sunday 20th September by the Flowserve team together with further support from Syngenta's Stewart Stephen. Although often challenged, the mainly out-of-shape team took the task head-on through hills, valleys and river crossings, remaining up-beat throughout. Morning's were the most difficult offering limited joint movement combined with blisters and injury resulted in the team looking like walk-in extra's from a Zombie movie. Overall an fantastic fund-raising event.

A note from Alastair: Where do I start, as getting a bit emotional every time I tried to reply, what your doing is absolutely excellent and after spending so much time within the Freeman Cancer hospital where the Bobby Robson department is situated, take it from me every penny counts. As I am through there on a daily basis, and unfortunately due to medication I need to be driven there. Therefore I have purposely I have asked each of my family and friends to take me through purely to let them see what I see, and open up the world which we never see until someone close to us has the illness. I am on my sixth and final week of treatment, just finished my last chemotherapy day today and what a long day that is starting from home at 08.00 and returning just after 18.00

I was told that the 4-5th week the treatment starts to hit home, however I have marched on until late on the fifth week, where it started to hit me like a rocket, unable to swallow at all (yes I know the jokes will be flying now) so using a tube to feed and input medication inc water etc. Ulcers in the mouth and tongue area which can be only won over by using lidocaine which is what is injected when you have dentist work. Unfortunately lost all taste and unable to talk very well, therefore apologies to anyone that has rang, as I just can't speak on the phone due to the swallowing and ulcers.

The treatment mainly the radio therapy hits you, hurts you then comes back and hits you some more, soreness around the skin area on the neck is quite bad and inside the throat area is the same.

Even though the radio therapy stops this coming Friday, the suggestion is that the radiation continues to hit you for a week or two after, however I think mind over matter will take over and I am sure I will start to recover once the treatment stops. Lost a fair amount of weight 9kg up to now, which is being frowned upon at the Freeman as weight assists recovery, but hey I had plenty in reserve so my thoughts are that I couldn't run a marathon before but might be able after loosing the weight so that tells me I will be fitter. (well thats my thoughts anyway)

Again I appreciate in a massive way everything you and friends/colleagues and if possible please let them know how valuable their time, effort and contributions are. Due to my situation at the moment where travelling is somewhat of a hardship, this was proved today travelling to Newcastle having to stop twice, I won't be able to meet everyone whilst carrying out the walk, but I would appreciate it if someone would forward some photos.

 

 - As you are probably aware, Alastair was recently diagnosed with Cancer and is currently undergoing six week / every day Radio/Chemo therapy treatment at the Bobby Robson unit at the Freeman Hospital. Friends & Colleagues of Alastair have decided to organise a fund raising event in aid of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

 

It is our intention to complete the Herriot Way 4 day walk in the Dales within 2.5 days. Although only approximately 50 miles, the terrain is extremely challenging. The plan is to start late on Friday 17th finish on Sunday 19th September 09.

We are targetting £1000 and hope you can support our event with a contribution either large or small (or both !). Any supportive messages for Alastair are also welcome. If you would like to participate in the walk please contact Nicola Wakefield.

 

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So please dig deep and donate now.

A big thank you to everyone who sponsored me at home and at Lucite. Donation by james bradley 13/10/09  

£120.00 + £33.85 Gift Aid

an excellent effort, well done Donation by Lindsay Douglas 08/10/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

to the incredible hulk who can open train doors single handed........the hero who can meet any challenge and overcome it!!!!!! Donation by dorothea, alan, graham and adam xxxxxl 03/10/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Next time do a proper distance :-) Good Luck to Alastair - The Milly's Donation by Peter Millington 01/10/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

The Purdy gang are all thinking of you. Hurry up and start eating cos I've got a freezer full of pies!! Donation by Ann Purdy 01/10/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

From Flowserve - Flow Solutions Division Donation by Steve Petter 28/09/09  

£500.00

Well done everyone..!!! Donation by Stuart D 28/09/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Donation by Alexandra Surtees 28/09/09  

Amazing fundraising effort! Well done to everyone involved. Best wishes June, Peter & girls Donation by June Hood 28/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Ali, All the very best from Keith, Julie & Kids. See you soon. Donation by Keith Findlay 26/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Donation by Malcolm Pontin 25/09/09  

£20.00

Hope everything goes well for you Alastair, and I'm sure we'll see you back at work soon Donation by Nigel and Julie Paterson 25/09/09  

£55.00 + £15.51 Gift Aid

Hi Ali, stay strong. Lesley, Phillip, Laura and Charlotte x Donation by Lesley Routledge 24/09/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

It is good to know that all your efforts are gioing towards a very worthwhile and needy cause. Donation by Keith Symington 24/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Sorry it's late Ali but i have been on holiday.It sounds like the walk went well. Best wishes luv Gail,Bob and Michael Donation by Gail Lamb 24/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

All our love - Sean, Pat'nAnna, Chris, Al, Loz, Jack, Andy, Paul, Gary, Sheep, Phil'n'Kim, Rich, Craig, Neil, Tim, Shane, Shane's mum!, Nick and G Donation by Stewart Stephen 23/09/09  

£250.00 + £70.51 Gift Aid

Get well soon Alastair! The walk (on Fri) was such a good laugh and really glad to have been involved. Thx to KB,DM,DG,KR,DS and all who sponsored me. Donation by richard harrison 23/09/09  

£140.00 + £39.49 Gift Aid

Donation by Colin and Anne Wood 23/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Hi Ali nearly there keep strong - we are all thinking of you and send our love to you and your family. Good luck to everyone on the walk Donation by Judith John Jake and Jasper Sheriff 22/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Best wishes Ali, you are in our thoughts daily and we know you will get through this. Donation by Paul & Liz Codling 21/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Congratulations to all involved, Donation by Nicola'a Line Dancing Class 21/09/09  

£23.00 + £6.49 Gift Aid

Donation by steven paine 21/09/09  

£120.00 + £33.85 Gift Aid

Well done to everyone who done the walk Donation by Martin Wood 21/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Whatever life bring makes us stronger. Good luck with everything. Best wishes from Mark Michelle Emily Sam and Amy. Donation by Mark Johnstone 21/09/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Hi Alistair, Enjoyed the walk, especially the finish, take care, hope all goes well for you and your family. Donation by Andy Hogg 21/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Hi Ali. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Donation by susan thursby 20/09/09  

£35.00

best wishes ali from carole and dave Donation by Carole Watson 19/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Best wishes for a speedy recovery, love Gill xx (Julia's sister) Donation by Gillian Stoddart 19/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

gud look to all the walkers and dad your going to beat this. we love you. Donation by glenn and scott hunter 19/09/09  

£30.00

You look better in the leather mask! Good luck, you can beat it, see you soon. Donation by Trev, Tania, the lads and Emma 18/09/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid
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* Total raised online: £3,313.00
  Offline donations: £0.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £715.85

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