Raised so far: £5,290.22
Donate now

My story

 

 My darling wife Maureen passed away from cancer on the 1st September 2008. We had been married for nearly 48 years but had known each other for over 50.

She was the absolute centre of not only my life but also our three wonderful son’s, Stephen, Andrew and Paul, and our eight beautiful grandchildren.

Maureen was a remarkable and resilient lady with many outstanding attributes, but her enduring love, kindness, honesty and consideration for others was at the forefront of them all.

As a wife, mother and grandmother Maureen was the best, and in that capacity, a complete natural. Her deep belief in true family life and it’s values was always solid.

I owe her so very much for all she has given me - in particular my family, year’s of immense happiness, and all the magic memories of the beautiful love and times we shared. She was, and always will be my purpose and reason in life.

I miss her so very much, but how can I explain a feeling, a desire, a needing, a wanting, a yearning, or the pain of a deep longing? I feel very lonely, yet I am not because she is always with me- yet I can’t touch her or feel her body close to mine. I am not able to hold her, kiss her or stroke her hair, so without these physical moments,   I am lonely, very lonely. I think about her constantly and imagine what could have been. I talk to and kiss her photographs, and at the same time reminisce and caress our memories. I feel her around me, loving me, guiding me, watching over me and telling me to be careful and to take care - just like she always did. I really do feel it should have been me  to leave this world first, not her. But if that were the case,  I would be inflicting this pain I have now on her.  She did not deserve her early and untimely death. Only the good die young - that’s true!

In true spirit Maureen accepted the devastating news of her illness with tremendous calm, strength of character and fortitude, and in the short time prior to her entering Heaven she accepted the pain of the cancer with colossal courage, bravery and strength, and an unquenchable sense of humour - her ever present smile would brighten the darkest situation.

In her esteemed memory and as a tribute to her, my eldest son Stephen and I, are proud to be undertaking the challenge to cycle approximately 1000 miles from Lands End to John O’ Groats. This eleven day event starts on the 1st of September 09 - which is the actual day of the first anniversary of her death.

At home during her final days, she was cared for day and night by Dorothy House Hospice who are my chosen charity to receive money donated through this website. The care and all round support the Hospice provide for both patient and family was magnificent, and no stone was left unturned by the charity in providing the highest level of care to Maureen, and support for me and my family.

Dorothy House Hospice depend so much on the generous support of the general public to enable them to continue with the vital caring of those people whose lives are affected by cancer.

Please make a difference and support this charity by sponsoring my son and I in our cycling challenge. Your donation will be so very appreciated.

Thank you so very much.

 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.

 

 

Great Effort George ! Donation by Chris Barrett 21/11/09  

£20.22 + £5.70 Gift Aid

Hope it went well George ,you sound as busy as ever . Still have dreams about putting up tents/taking them down! Best wishes - Steve Donation by Steve Allen 13/11/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Well done George, your commitment and energy are extraordinary. I hope the ride in Costa Rica goes well. Donation by Chris Bennet 05/11/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Congratulations George & Stephen. Great Effort! Donation by Trevor & Margaret 23/10/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Well done George. Donation by Lyn & Dee 23/10/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

George you are an inspiration to everyone who has the good luck to share one of these challenges with you. Donation by Siobhan Sheehy (Mexico 09) 09/10/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Hi George ! I hope the trip is going well. I have great memories of cycling together with you in Mexico in March. Some super jokes ! - Steve xx Donation by STEVE ISAACSON 01/10/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Donation by shona langlands 14/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

WELL DONE Donation by LINDSEY TOY 12/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

No mountain high enough No distance far enough Another great challenge for a fantastic charity. Hats off to you George. Donation by Peter Swallow 07/09/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Donation by mark tanner 02/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

U' George & Stephen hope all going well. U r both amazing an inspiration!! Take care and Keep Smiling love Kay and Jane xxx Donation by Kay Hiscocks 01/09/09  

£40.00

George - another fantastic event and a wonderful way to remember your wife. x Donation by Michelle Pugh 01/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Best wishes and god's speed George Donation by Joy UpHam 30/08/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

The very best of luck George we will be thinking of you! Donation by Mark and Wendy 30/08/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Your marriage to & love for Maureen are beautiful examples for all to behold! Good luck to you & Ste Donation by Charlie and Rose Piparo 30/08/09  

£65.00

I hope the weather is with you - enjoy it. Donation by Clive Bailey 28/08/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

sorry to hear of your loss George.Take care on your ride and good luck. karen from China. Donation by karen Stephens 17/08/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Thanks for fitting tribute to Mum. Dad give your body a rest soon REALLY (I can hear Mum whispering that into my ear right now) Paul & Family xx Donation by Paul Harding 17/08/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Enjoy this challenge and I look forward to hearing all about it in Romania. Maureen would be proud of you and the family. x Donation by Tiny 11/08/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Georgie Boy! Would love to be leading this trip for you but alas the office calls! Best of luck, i'll be checking up on you!!!!! Donation by Rob (DA) 10/08/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

George, so sorry to hear about your wife - good luck with the ride!! ros (china,) Donation by Ros Harris 10/08/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Another amazing fund raising trip. You are the most wonderful example. Take care George. From The Cointreau Queen x Donation by Cointreau Queen 10/08/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Good luck for this challenge George - what an amazing thing to do in memory of your wife. I wish you all the best for it xx Donation by Laura Jenkins 09/08/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Donation by Anonymous 09/08/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

George you are a legend and a constant source of inspiration to us all. Please let me know how you get on. All the very best, Dave Kershaw Donation by Dave Kershaw 09/08/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

George - as ever you are doing something amazing for others ... and this time in the face of so much sorrow. You are incredible Donation by Sarah W (China) 08/08/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

George, I really think you need to get out and exercise a bit more.... Once again, you put the rest of us to shame! Good Luck. Donation by Eddie Whittle 07/08/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

No words can describe how sad we feel for you at the loss of your dear Maureen - but good luck - we dont know where you get all your energy from! xx Donation by James Whittaker & Rachel Skidmore 07/08/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

You continue to inspire so many of us, have a great time on LEJOG. Donation by Tony Hart 07/08/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid
Donate now
 
* Total raised online: £1,290.22
  Offline donations: £4,000.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £334.29

* Charities pay a small fee for our service.
Find out how much it is and what we do for it.