Update 26-4-06

Well as many of you will already now I successfully completed the London Marathon on Sunday little bit disappointed with my time (5hrs 36 mins) but I suppose that's what not running for 5 weeks beforehand does to you!

 

I'm back at work (just) and my legs are absolutely killing me but believe me it is worth every bit of pain - what an experience.

 

We wish to take this opportunity to thank everyone most sincerely and from the bottom of our hearts for all of your donations to our campaign but mostly for all of your kind comments that we have also received.

 

Our Marathon campaign has so far raised just over £10,000 and when this will be added to previous funds from the wristband campaign we will have raised approximately £50,000. We are taking the next few weeks to decide how best to utilise the money however we can guarantee that Shirley & I will have full control of how this is done and that every £1 will be used for Samaritans work.

 

On a personal level I have to confess that when I decided to take part in Run For Glory I could never have dreamt that it would have such a dramatic effect on my life and even after all of the negatives involved with the show, the positives I am now left with will last me a lifetime.

 

I was never under any illusions that this would be the "cure" for the loss of Daniel but it has allowed me to take a giant step forward in re-building my family life and I want you to know you have a been a valuable part of that process.

 

With this is mind I would also like to share a poem with you that I wrote, which along with all of the campaigning we are doing, is dedicated to keeping Daniel's memory alive.

 

Once again many thanks for all of your kindness

 

Dean, Shirley, Matthew & Ben Smith

 

Now that you’ve left time seems to stand still

Looking for answers in long days to fill

Searching for reasons to why you have gone

Trying to understand why “Life must go on”

Now that you’ve left life seems so empty

There’s now not enough where once there was plenty

Wishing that days could be as they once were

Praying for five instead of just four

Now that you’ve left we just wish you were here

Hoping for signs to know that you’re near

Praying you’ve found that it was you so wanted

But still missing the things that we once took for granted

Now that you’ve left life doesn’t seem fair

All of the love that we can no longer share

All that we wish for is for how it once was

Dean, Shirley, Daniel, Matthew, Ben, Bomber & Oz

Now that you’ve left 9 months have passed

But still every day seems as sad as the last

Life can never be the same without you son

But until we meet again “Life must go on”

 

UPDATE 18.4.06 TO ALL THOSE WONDERFUL PEOPLE WHO HAVE DONATED THANK YOU SO MUCH, YOUR KINDNESS AND SUPPORT MEAN SO MUCH TO OUR FAMILY.  LOVE DEAN, SHIRLEY, MATTHEW & BEN SMITHxxx. THE AMOUNT RAISED SO FAR DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY SPONSERSHIP MONEY!!!!! CARRUMBA 

UPDATE 6.4.06 The Smith family would like to thank Great Lumley Medway Infant School & Great Lumley Junior School,  who took part in "Wear a Sport Shirt for The Samaritans Day." Children were invited to wear a sport shirt and paid a pound to do so.  The children all had a fantastic day and took part in some special sporting activities.  The community spirit continued with the Lumley Toddler Group holding a Coffee Morning with home made scones and cakes on sale. The events combined raise £333.  Amazing !!

We would like to thank everyone who took part in the above events.  Your hard work and commitment mean so much to our family.  Thank s Shirley. 

For further details you may also like to refer to www.ifucareshare.com and www.daniel-ohare.co.uk or drop me an email at dean@bedefinancial.co.uk.

We are more than happy to forward wristbands onto you in return for your kind sponsorship.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Samaritans 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.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.

Best wishes - Dean

I would also like to say a huge personal thanks to www.misskicks.com., www.pattinson.co.uk,  Bannatynes, Nike, ASICS and Adidas for all their support so far. Also thanks to Linda, Kevin & Lucy Elliott who held a coffee morning for us and managed to raise a staggering £850 in one morning.  Great cakes, unfortunately non for Dean.  Jill King kindly donated the commission she made after holding a Vigin Vie Cosmetics evening held at The Snooker Club.   Thanks Jill.  Special Thanks to Allison Younger & her family for her hard work and commitment.