My story

Dear all,

      I didn't tell many people at the time but my mother died on December the 5th last year 2010. She took her own life, she was only 69. 

      She had no previous mental issues or gave any hint, suggestion or clue that she was to take that path. Following my immediate and obvious devastation at the loss, my piecing together of the immediate period before the event and subsequently the year proceeding that, it became apparent that she took this action as the path of least resistance and most favourable outcome (in her eyes). My mother and father were divorced over thirty years ago and she remarried. My mother and step father have been together for all that time which was longer that my parents were married. She loved him dearly. 

      Approximately seven years ago my step father started to lose his sight, had two attacks of Bell's palsy and began suffering minor strokes and then about five years ago was diagnosed with the early onset of dementia. Without going into all the details and issues, my mother increasingly became his only link with the outside World and his sole carer and although she remained outwardly cheerful, clearly it ground her down. They couldn't afford home help and protected housing was too expensive an option and she didn't want to be a burden on anyone else so she took the option of removing herself from the equation which meant the estate in it's entirety would go to supporting my step father. 
     The reason I am sharing this rather grim information with you is because I will be cycling 500km's over four days 8th - 11th September in the Alps assaulting amongst others, the peaks of Col du Madeleine (1,993 m), Col du Telegraphe (1,566 m), Col du Galibier (2,645 m) and the Col du D'Izoard (2,361 m). Whilst taking on this decidedly odd and possibly mad task, I thought it would be a good opportunity to raise monies for the Princess Royal Trust for Carers. My thinking being that others who find themselves in a similar position to my mother may derive some comfort, support and hopefully relief so they don't feel they have the same limited options my mother clearly felt she had. 
     If you would be kind enough to sponsor me you can visit the following website: http://www.justgiving.com/Kirk-Chesley or alternatively please send cheques to the address below for my attention. 
     Many thanks for your support.

 

My gallery 3

My Teams

My company

My charity

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers

Charity Registration No. SC015975

Carers Trust is the largest provider of comprehensive support services, reaching more than 443,000 carers, including more than 34,000 young carers, through a unique network of 142 independently managed carers’ centres, 76 schemes, 112 young carers’ services and interactive websites.

Donations 208

Kirk, i think your effort to raise awareness for elder care is terrrific! Hope you well.

Donation by Dwight Evans on 05/11/11

£40.00

Very impressive, well done!

Donation by Jennifer Braney on 04/11/11

£25.00

Ridiculously late but done all the same. Great effort Old Fruit.

Donation by Simon Dean on 03/11/11

£30.00

+ £7.50 Gift Aid

A bit late Kirk but better than never. Well done on a great achievement.

Donation by Charles Nelson on 30/10/11

£100.00

+ £25.00 Gift Aid

Well done mate

Donation by Dominic Christian on 28/10/11

£250.00

+ £62.50 Gift Aid

Reporting you to the Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Bikes. x

Donation by Katy Anderson on 24/10/11

£100.00

+ £25.00 Gift Aid

Better late than never. Good effort. I should help you put those pounds back on. Lunch?

Donation by Wayne Adams on 19/10/11

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

Well done - you're mad!

Donation by Martin Hurrell on 17/10/11

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

Donation by Stephen Ross on 06/10/11

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

superb effort sir. If only you could focus so much determination and effort in your day job !!!

Donation by Mark Lawrence on 23/09/11

£100.00

+ £25.00 Gift Aid

Well done

Donation by Anonymous on 23/09/11

£30.00

+ £7.50 Gift Aid

Fantastic achievement - well done you.

Donation by Matthew Sage on 22/09/11

£75.00

Well done Kirk, FANTASTIC achievement! Wth love from all the Kits

Donation by Deborah Kittow on 22/09/11

£25.00

+ £6.25 Gift Aid

Kirk, your're an inspiration. Fantastic achievement and I'm sure your mum would have been so proud of you xx

Donation by Marguerite Navin on 22/09/11

£20.00

Kirk, Fantastic effort - well done Regards John

Donation by John Brown on 21/09/11

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

Chapeau!!

Donation by will curran on 20/09/11

£75.00

+ £18.75 Gift Aid

Your lovely mum would have been so proud

Donation by Julia and Robert Brown on 20/09/11

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

Donation by Colin Gleeson on 20/09/11

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

Amazing, brilliant effort.

Donation by Douglas Williams on 20/09/11

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

Well done old chap amazing effort. I'll let you buy me lunch to put that wieght back on...

Donation by Martin Hughes on 20/09/11

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

Well done Kirky - makes Johnny's 240 to Paris look like a picnique! Brilliant! Love Johnny and Linny xxx

Donation by John Simpson on 20/09/11

£100.00

+ £25.00 Gift Aid

Best of luck Kirk, just don't shave the legs !

Donation by Paul Kneafsey on 19/09/11

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

Well dione Kirkington!

Donation by Matthew Wilken on 19/09/11

£50.00

very well done, the Kirkmeister!! a great effort mate

Donation by Alex Price on 19/09/11

£30.00

+ £7.50 Gift Aid

Donation by james stephens on 19/09/11

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

Donation summary

  • * Online donations£9,675.00
  • Offline donations£3,825.00
  • Text donations£0.00
  • Total raised£13,500.00
  • Gift Aid£1,507.50

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