Thanks for re vsiting Dan's page, if it's the first time you've visited, welcome. Over a year has now passed since Dan sadly died in his sleep on 28th June 2007 at the age of 32. He died peacefully, Lyeanda and I believe he would have known nothing about that night as he had fallen into a hypoglycaemic coma. His blood sugar fell too low and his body was unable to kick in to wake him up. Despite our total sadness at losing the most precious, loved person in our life his Mum and I refuse to be angry. He relished life and lived it to the full. He was a great character which was partially formed by the challenges he had to face, challenges he simply dealt with. He refused to use his diabetes as an excuse for anything, it was just something he had to live with but never a barrier to enjoying what he was given, an ethos we should all try to learn from. Something Dan desperately wanted to do was to nurture a child, to give the gift of love to someone in need, we were looking into adoption when he died. It therefore seems fitting that his Mum and I have chosen to raise money in his name for The Juvenile Diabetes Research foundation. They carry out research into finding a cure for diabetes primarily in young people, although their work will ultimately benefit all diabetics. The support we have received to date (in terms of doing and giving) has been fantastic and I think you'll agree the amount we've raised to date is amazing. My colleagues in Cumbria started our efforts with a walk which was closely followed by Al Gillespie, one of Dan's close friends who ran the Henley half marathon in his name.
We're thrilled that the graduates at HSBC enjoyed working with Dan so much that to mark their respect they have decided to set up a Graduate Charity Forum. Each year they will select a charity to champion, for the first year they will host events to raise monies for JDRF in Dan's memory. To date they've held a Pub Quiz which I understand was very successful. The next events are to be announced. My neice, Laura Hutchinson, made me very proud last week as she organised a 'wear what you want day' at her school, St Ursula's in Bristol. The children could wear their own choice of fashion instead of school uniform of which, since he was a doyen of fashion, Dan would have throughly approved! They raised £100 which was fantastic.
In July one of Lyeanda's friends, Ray Smyth and his pal Michael Warner, ran 32 miles (Dan's age) of the Basingstoke canal. This was a huge challenge and such a wonderful accolade to Dan who met Ray many years ago.
They have raised a huge amount of money, despite running in QPR shirts!(you will all know that QPR and football, were one of Dan's great passions) . The final total is still not yet in, and we thank the both very much for embarking on such a huge challenge. We've just heard that their pics, and mine and Lyeanda's will be in one of the match programmes this season!
Finally I'm sure you're all waiting to hear what I'll be doing to add to the wonderful fund raising efforts. Simon, one of Dan's best men suggested we run the London marathon but I think this may be a little beyond my capabilities. I know Dan would say I'm more suited to a sponsored pub crawl!
Seriously I do plan to set myself a serious challenge so watch this space. I'm starting with a small event to ease myself in. My family and friends will join me in September to take part in the 5mile walk. All are welcome to join 'The Black Swans. My nephews, George & James, are taking part in the run under the name the Bestie Boys. We just hope it doesn't rain!
I know that many of you will have already donated and none of us have bottomless pockets. However, this is a truly good cause and diabetes is something for which we must find a cure since more people every year have to live (and die) with this condition.
Please dig deep and help us to reach our target, donations big and small are all the same, they're all wonderful.
Many thanks
With love
Sandra and Lyeanda
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