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

  

 

Good luck Donation by Anonymous 16/11/06  

£300.00 + £84.62 Gift Aid

Donation by Charlie Newsome 15/11/06  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck from 'sunny Birmingham' Donation by Ian Moseley 15/11/06  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Donation by Melanie Johnson 15/11/06  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Good luck John & may the force be with you! And don't worry about Michele, I will look after her! x Donation by Jill Gill 15/11/06  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Make sure you wear your thermals! Donation by Zoe Hine 14/11/06  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good luck! Donation by GingerDog 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 13/11/06  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Best of luck Donation by John Metzger 13/11/06  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Now that's what I call a challenge! Good luck. Donation by Rowland 13/11/06  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck Bruv and come home safe Donation by Zoe Dixon-Smith 13/11/06  

£100.00

Very best of luck Donation by Suzanne 13/11/06  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

I'm impressed; good luck. Donation by Tim Beckett 13/11/06  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good Luck with your expedition! Donation by Sarah 13/11/06  

£20.00

Good Luck, bring me back a Penguin please Donation by Lorraine Ashton 13/11/06  

£5.00

what an inspiration! Donation by abbie grisoni 13/11/06  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Don't eat the yellow snow. Donation by Phil Attfield 12/11/06  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

all good wishes Donation by david lloyd 12/11/06  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

good luck to you john Donation by peggie grisoni 12/11/06  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Go for it Donation by Juliet Chenery 11/11/06  

£250.00 + £70.51 Gift Aid

Donation by CGI Group Europe Limited 10/11/06  

£500.00

Good Luck!! Donation by Inne 09/11/06  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

41 Days tops - good luck Donation by Josh, Emily and Olivia 09/11/06  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Goood Luck Donation by Rachael 09/11/06  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

All the very best of luck! Donation by Kevin Mitchell 09/11/06  

£5.00

Good Luck Donation by Carmel O'Shea 09/11/06  

£10.00

Good Luck !! Donation by Ruth Maskell 09/11/06  

£5.00

Good luck John, you're an inspiration! xx Donation by Natalie in Jersey 09/11/06  

£50.00

Good luck! Donation by Alison Ritchie 08/11/06  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Looking forward to celebrating at the Athenaeum Donation by Wallace and Grommit 07/11/06  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid
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* Total raised online: £8,372.50
  Offline donations: £8,446.57
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