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

  

 

Mi gato no tiene un nariz pero mi pollo tiene un higado Donation by Amanda 23/12/06  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

I envy you and wish you the very best of luck. Donation by Harry 22/12/06  

£100.00

stick with it Donation by ibby 22/12/06  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Summer solstice at the South Pole today, days getting shorter, get a move on! Good luck! Donation by Herman 22/12/06  

£20.00

john , i have been following your progress , keep going and good luck (in2 consulting ) Donation by philip cohen 22/12/06  

£100.00

Merry xmas! Donation by Mark Cleary 22/12/06  

£20.00

At least someone will be having a white christmas! Donation by Jamie Pike - RBC 22/12/06  

£10.00

Best of luck John, it's an amazing thing your doing.x Donation by Jon Partington 21/12/06  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Donation by Phil O'Donovan 21/12/06  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Good luck John Donation by Sandra Collins 21/12/06  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Hey John Keeping the home fires in Jersey burning for you. And 44 is not old it's experienced !! Donation by maggie Jersey ci 20/12/06  

£20.00

Just Do It Donation by Jack Barnett 20/12/06  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good luck! Donation by Betty Cochrane* 17/12/06  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Keep up the good work Donation by Shirish Patel 13/12/06  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Don't feel lonely just think of all the people who are with you every step of the way. Donation by Brenda 13/12/06  

£20.00

Well done and enjoy the summer down there! Donation by Pete Jenkins 12/12/06  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

From Elizabeth Mariette Donation by Colin Wilton-Davies 11/12/06  

£10.00

Friend of Zoe's... yr mad...good luck...merry Xmas! Donation by Ian Ferguson 10/12/06  

£50.00

John I wish you the best of luck. What you are doing is fantastic for a very worthwhile organisation Donation by Zoe /new star 08/12/06  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Well done John for being doing it, and well done Michelle for letting him! love, MJI&A Donation by Mike and Julie 07/12/06  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good cause, hope it goes well Donation by Charles Hornung 06/12/06  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

You're a very brave man. All the very best Donation by colette short 06/12/06  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck John. From Maria, Perry, Elizabeth & Andrew Stanford* Donation by Maria Stanford 05/12/06  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Good luck Donation by Paul Allard 05/12/06  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

I hope you succeed in your dream. Donation by RF 05/12/06  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

It's got to be easier than skating Donation by Keith, Alan and Steve* 01/12/06  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

From Peter in the Register Office Donation by Dad 30/11/06  

£5.00

Donation by James Rae 29/11/06  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Donation by Jim Wood-Smith 29/11/06  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Donation by Tony Laffoley 29/11/06  

£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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