Raised: 112%
Target: £15,000.00
Raised so far: £16,819.07
Donate now

My story

 

July 2007

Thank you to everyone who followed the story of my attempt to walk alone and unsupported to the South Pole.  All the details and the daily reports from Antarctica are still at www.dontjustdream.co.uk.

At the time of writing I am delighted to have helped raise around £17,000 for Cancerbackup.  If you enjoyed my story, it would be greatly appreciated if you made a small donation.  The expedition was paid for by myself, and all donations go entirely to Cancerbackup.

Donating online is simple and secure. Cancerbackup will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you. If you'd rather send a cheque, make it payable to Cancerbackup and send it to Don't Just Dream, Hoppers Barn, Clyst Honiton, Exeter, EX5 2HR, with the following statement:  I am a UK taxpayer and I wish Cancerbackup to reclaim tax on this donation.

I chose to support Cancerbackup because, both mentally and physically, my challenges were not dissimilar to those faced by my close friend Matthew and other cancer patients like him. Matthew summarised his experience for me:

"18 years ago I started living with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, a kind of cancer. Chemotherapy, total body irradiation, a bone marrow transplant and 9 weeks in a sterile room, earned me 15 disease free years. In this time, I achieved my Masters degree, built an executive career in IT, and married my wife with whom I raised two wonderful children. Last year, my lymphoma returned and spread to my kidney and spine. After another 9 month course of chemotherapy, one less kidney and intensive training, I am now back to swimming, cycling and running triathlon distances.

Next to my wife, family and friends, Cancerbackup gave me the knowledge and encouragement to challenge my Lymphoma and use the experience positively. From my first contact with a Cancerbackup nurse, I started to rebuild a more energetic and vibrant life. For helping me see and choose this path, rather than one of despair, I am always grateful  to Cancerbackup. Their sensitive pragmatism keeps me focussed on getting the very best out of my life."  

I’ve always relished the great sense of achievement that comes from enduring mental and physical challenges. The very best feeling comes from achieving that which I initially thought to be unattainable. My dream, to have walked alone and unaided to the South Pole, was, for me, the ultimate challenge; more men have walked on the moon!

Matthew is a very old friend of mine, and I know that this endeavour had many similarities to the demands faced by him and other cancer patients. I understand too the value of informed and understanding support, which is why I empathise so much with Matthew’s challenges and greatly value his appreciation of Cancerbackup.

John.

www.dontjustdream.co.uk

  

 

Bloody well done! Donation by Rob Chalk 09/05/07  

£40.00

from Doug & Rosemary Legg, your admirers Donation by Colin Wilton-Davies 16/02/07  

£10.00

Well done!!!! Donation by Inne 14/02/07  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Well Done John! Can't wait to hear all about it!! Donation by Annabel and Stefan 03/02/07  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Congratulations, what a fantastic effort. Donation by Phil 02/02/07  

£50.00

Well done, was this another crazy competition with Geoff??? Donation by Steve & Tania* 02/02/07  

£300.00

Absolutely barking. Still, nice enough chap. Damn fine eccentric Englishman. B.F.E. ;-) Donation by Pauline and Gordon 02/02/07  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Fantastic achievement and good to see you home safely Donation by Tony Moore* 31/01/07  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Fantastic achievement! Donation by Clive 31/01/07  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Donation by PB Kempe* 31/01/07  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Well done John - we are very proud of you - Mike and Joyce Donation by Joyce Underwood 31/01/07  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Success! Donation by Michael Dimopoulos 30/01/07  

£50.00

Donation by Sallie Scott 30/01/07  

£10.00

Fantastic Effort. I was a month in the Arctic supported, and know how hard you have worked. Donation by Steve Wright 30/01/07  

£10.00

John, Well done, I worked at your leaving dinner, I have followed your progress. wow! Donation by Kay Uphill 30/01/07  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

congratulations on your epic journey Donation by Sue Thornhill (Casserley) 29/01/07  

£40.00 + £11.28 Gift Aid

A great effort John! Well done!! Donation by Rick and Alex* 29/01/07  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Tremendous, and for a VERY worthy cause....well done ! Donation by Ryan O'Sullivan 29/01/07  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Well done John Donation by Frances 29/01/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

John, only just heard about this venture - amazing stuff! Wld love to hear all about it when u rtn! Donation by Charlotte Whittaker 29/01/07  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

The beer is not as cold at home but I think you deserve one. Astounding well done John. Donation by Tim Page 29/01/07  

£100.00

Few know what it takes to do such a thing; well done (+ setting camp on top of crevasse=priceless) Donation by Jon Giorgini 29/01/07  

£50.00

Well Done John. Donation by Aresh 27/01/07  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Long way to go just for a cold beer. Well done!! Very proud to have you as a friend Donation by Adrian Neave 27/01/07  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Back for some Brussel Sprouts! Donation by Chris & John 26/01/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Well done on your achievement. Donation by Julie Hughes 26/01/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

From Pamela Steele Donation by Colin Wilton-Davies 26/01/07  

£20.00

Great effort ! Regards to Patriot Hills. Donation by Ian M. Terris 26/01/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

amazing journey,so close.eat and recover john. Donation by carl 25/01/07  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Donation by vanhan 25/01/07  

£20.00
Donate now
 
* Total raised online: £8,372.50
  Offline donations: £8,446.57
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £1,383.46

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Find out how much it is and what we do for it.