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

  

 

My gallery 1

My Teams

My company

My charity

Cancerbackup

Cancerbackup

Charity Registration No. 1019719

The best cancer information for everyone Cancerbackup has merged with Macmillan Cancer Support. We will be providing the same high quality, expertly developed information about cancer, and now we can make it available to everyone who needs it. We provide practical, medical, emotional and financial support to people affected by cancer. Cancer affects us all. We can all help. We are Macmillan. Get support or get involved at www.macmillan.org.uk

Donations 150

Make sure you wear your thermals!

Donation by Zoe Hine on 14/11/06

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

Good luck!

Donation by GingerDog on 14/11/06

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

Thinking of you as you take this challenge. God be with you.

Donation by Len and Issy on 13/11/06

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

Best of luck

Donation by John Metzger on 13/11/06

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

Now that's what I call a challenge! Good luck.

Donation by Rowland on 13/11/06

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck Bruv and come home safe

Donation by Zoe Dixon-Smith on 13/11/06

£100.00

Very best of luck

Donation by Suzanne on 13/11/06

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

I'm impressed; good luck.

Donation by Tim Beckett on 13/11/06

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

Good Luck with your expedition!

Donation by Sarah on 13/11/06

£20.00

Good Luck, bring me back a Penguin please

Donation by Lorraine Ashton on 13/11/06

£5.00

what an inspiration!

Donation by abbie grisoni on 13/11/06

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

Don't eat the yellow snow.

Donation by Phil Attfield on 12/11/06

£100.00

+ £28.21 Gift Aid

all good wishes

Donation by david lloyd on 12/11/06

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

good luck to you john

Donation by peggie grisoni on 12/11/06

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

Go for it

Donation by Juliet Chenery on 11/11/06

£250.00

+ £70.51 Gift Aid

Donation by CGI Group Europe Limited on 10/11/06

£500.00

Good Luck!!

Donation by Inne on 09/11/06

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

41 Days tops - good luck

Donation by Josh, Emily and Olivia on 09/11/06

£100.00

+ £28.21 Gift Aid

Goood Luck

Donation by Rachael on 09/11/06

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

All the very best of luck!

Donation by Kevin Mitchell on 09/11/06

£5.00

Good Luck

Donation by Carmel O'Shea on 09/11/06

£10.00

Good Luck !!

Donation by Ruth Maskell on 09/11/06

£5.00

Good luck John, you're an inspiration! xx

Donation by Natalie in Jersey on 09/11/06

£50.00

Good luck!

Donation by Alison Ritchie on 08/11/06

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

Looking forward to celebrating at the Athenaeum

Donation by Wallace and Grommit on 07/11/06

£100.00

+ £28.21 Gift Aid

Donation summary

  • * Online donations£8,372.50
  • Offline donations£8,446.57
  • Text donations£0.00
  • Total raised£16,819.07
  • Gift Aid£1,383.46

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