My story

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

 

15 years ago my father died.

 

6 months later I was knocked sideways by an immense feeling of loss, anger, sadness and even thoughts of suicide. I thought taking some time off work was the answer, but this just made things worse. I had not told anyone in my family that I was not going to work choosing to bottle up my emotions instead.

 

Not knowing what to do with my time off, I spent much of my day alone in silence and darkness. I was left feeling evermore helpless and alone. My Mum had put a leaflet detailing the work of Cruse Bereavement Care in my car and said perhaps you should read it. Me being me, the leaflet stayed in my car for 2 weeks or more before I read the contents. It truly changed me. In an instant I rang to arrange a face-to-face meeting with a Cruse Volunteer. This in itself changed my outlook; I then had something new to worry about - what was I going to say to this stranger; What questions will they ask; Will they think I'm mad and have me committed? All manner of gobbledy-gook was whirling around my head.

 

The day of the meeting finally came - What was I doing? How was talking to a stranger going to help? After the knock at the door, I was asked by the lady if she could have a cup of tea, this put me straight at ease.

 

90 minutes later, I think this was still the only question she had asked! The Lady listened attentively to me rant on and on about my anger/rage/confusion/anxieties etc. There was nothing but positive thoughts and affirmations coming from this lady. As she left my house she said, " all your thoughts are natural and normal, here's my details call me if you need to talk again".

 

I never did contact her again as she had put my mind at rest - no more anger and definately no more suicidal thoughts. I wish I could just say thankyou to her now!!

 

I'm now left with just an air of sadness as each March 17th comes around thinking of all the times my dad has missed with my family both good and bad. I miss him greatly but thanks to Cruse I'm still here to be able to acknowledge these feelings.

 

By way of saying thankyou I will be running the Two Castles 10km race in June; the Kenilworth Half Marathon in September and sometime closer to Christmas I intend to row 100km on a Concept2 indoor rower all on behalf of Cruse Breavement Care.

Please spare me whatever you can as I'm not built for running and it's going to be far less physically painful if I know I'm doing this to myself for a good reason. Go on, give me some motivation - you know you want to.

 

THANKYOU!!

 

 

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My charity

Cruse Bereavement Care

Cruse Bereavement Care

Charity Registration No. 208078

We offer support, advice and information to children, young people and adults when someone dies and to enhance society's care of bereaved people. Our services are free of charge and support anyone who has been bereaved ensuring that we are somewhere to turn when someone dies. www.Cruse.org.uk

Donations 50

Nice going, Spikey.

Donation by Kirby Tillotson on 28/11/11

£10.00

Best of luck with the row, you will have earned the money by the end!

Donation by Iain Greenwood on 28/11/11

£35.00

+ £8.75 Gift Aid

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Well done Mike-superb effort!

Donation by Alena McCutchion on 28/11/11

£10.00

An epic effort, Michael, and an example to us all - well done. Free Spirits are proud of you.

Donation by Michael Channin on 24/11/11

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

Well done Mike, great achievement!

Donation by Yambo on 21/11/11

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

This donation is from my daughter in the States who wishes you well with you challenge.

Donation by Jackie Grey on 21/11/11

Well done Mr G. Another triumph in the rowing stakes...! Good work.

Donation by John Dawson on 20/11/11

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

Well done, and thanks for the info & tips :)

Donation by Andy Pearce on 20/11/11

£5.00

+ £1.25 Gift Aid

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Tremendous effort Goughy. Well done.

Donation by Robert Harris on 19/11/11

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

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Donation by Richard Cawley on 19/11/11

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

Are you enjoying yourself?

Donation by Harriet Watkin on 19/11/11

£30.00

+ £7.50 Gift Aid

Good luck, rather you than me!

Donation by RICHARD TABERNER on 19/11/11

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

good luck goughy....!! cheers, stranksy..

Donation by simon Bayliss-Stranks on 19/11/11

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

dear michael, good luck! anne langley let me know about your challenge! best wishes, maureen hinton

Donation by Maureen Hinton on 18/11/11

Best of luck with the sub 7 hours Michael. A cause as well.

Donation by Andrew Stanway on 18/11/11

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

Excellent work - you're a hero !

Donation by Peter Langley on 18/11/11

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

All the best for your marathon row. And many thanks for supporting the valuable work of Cruse in this enterprising way.

Donation by AL on 18/11/11

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

All the best Michael. Glad Cruse was good to you. Jane

Donation by Jane Smith on 18/11/11

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

Donation by Anonymous on 17/11/11

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

Enjoy yourself, don't work too hard!! Sheila

Donation by Sheila Adams on 17/11/11

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

Dear Mike Good luck with the canoeing marathon, and all in such a good cause Best wishes Anthony

Donation by Anthony King on 17/11/11

£25.00

+ £6.25 Gift Aid

Best of luck with getting under 7 hours Mike

Donation by Lee Winslow on 15/11/11

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

Go Mike! Have a good Day, and I'll see you aboard the pirate ship matey..Love Hugh

Donation by Hugh Watkin on 14/11/11

You are abnormal. But I love you.

Donation by Ben Collins on 13/11/11

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

Donation by Liz Pharoah on 13/11/11

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

Donation summary

  • * Online donations$1,531.21
  • Offline donations$98.54
  • Text donations$0.00
  • Total raised$1,629.75
  • Gift Aid$366.57

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