Hi there friends!

Welcome to my very own fundraising page.  I amazingly managed to create it being a technophobe - well after about 10 attempts and some help from my much more IT minded brother! Many of you will know of and met my brother Graeme, what many of you don't know is that he is battling inoperable cancer at the age of 29. He has made me so proud with the dignity and courage he has shown so far that I wanted to do something more practical to help. He now lives in Kent and although a family member has been to see him almost every week, it's just not the same as living around the corner. He has received additional support from his local hospice St. Christophers, who have been marvellous. Early on in his diagnosis I suggested he get in touch with the hospice, and initially his reaction was 'heck no way' they're for people who are dying (and yes their blurb over there says so). However his first visit from Tracy stated this was not the case. They are there to support people, and many of their patients come thorugh the other side. He has since received medical care, spiritual care, alternative therapies, help with benefits and finances and much more. He now cannot speak highly enough of them. Hence I am undertaking a channel swim. Before you are astounded there'll be no goose fat, silly hat or support boat needed for this one! Also I'm not doing the equivalent distance in one swim my youngest would go very hungry if I did! Basically I'll be swimming 22 miles at the baths between now and December (2 done already!). I hope to raise loadsa money through sponsorship for the hospice whilst also toning my tum after the birth of 2 babies in 2 years....well wishful thinking!

If you need some more inspiration to donate just take a look at the photo; it shows Graeme with my oldest Oliver. It was taken at his wedding to Liz in June. He really is a lovely gentle uncle, his new 7 week old nephew Toby takes his name as his middle name and I want him to know the brave, intelligent, lovely man his uncle is. Also for an almost daily update on his experiences take a look at his blog www.readytogo.net/blogs/hazey. It is a very frank and funny account of his journey so far (apologies on his behalf for the language!) 

Well all that's left to say is dig deep and pass the address of this page onto anyone else you think would like to donate. If you can't manage to donate online please don't contact me as I won't have a clue, instead cheques sent by pigeon post would be most gratefully received!

Thanks in anticipation

Mel :)

Thanks so much for all the donations so far, especially all the ones from people off the message board considering you don't know me from Adam. The comments are hilarious. To Beery and anyone else whose interested; bikini shots shouldn't be a problem. Pin them to your front door come Halloween and I guarantee they'll scare the trick or treaters off!

Update 3/10/07 - Well my gast is truly flabbered and my gob well and truly smacked. I honestly cannot believe the genorosity of spirit in raising funds for the hospice helping my brother. It is truly wonderful and has left me very emotional; this is the true face of football fans (the black 'n' whiters included) and as a proud north easterner I believe it's also reflective of the spirit of this very special part of the country, even if many no longer live locally or originally hail from the area. It has also opened my eyes to virtual communities. In my paid employment I work in "real" communities, encouraging people to volunteer and be part of their locality. Never did I imagine such change and influence could be facilitated over the internet. Needless to say when I go back to work next April I'll be taking some inspiration in trying to involve the world wide web more in encouraging people to volunteer. Really, hats off to each and everyone of you. Thanks also to all my friends, friends of friends and friends of the family for their donations I knew I could rely on you all.

As for the swimming well 4 miles completed so far. Last night I was "windmillin'" up and down them baths like a woman possessed. Need to mention my fab swimming partner, Sandra at this point. We did this swim last year for a spinal charity and it was her idea this year for me to do it for a charity of Graeme's choosing - look what you started San! We're varying the location of the swimming every week and are considering compiling a guide to local baths. Features could be; least number of hairs lurking on floors, least number of old ladies stripped naked in showers soaping their bits down, least number of un-indentifiables lurking at bottom of pool (put goggles on and have a look, it can be scary), least number of women swimming in full make-up trying to keep their hair dry and glaring if you happen to splash within 2 mile of them (why go swimming if you don't really want to get wet?), those with those orange footbaths (you don't see em much now?), those with silly rules about wearing blue things over your shoes in the changing rooms (Stanley) and those with resident hocklers (watch out for old guy at Chester-le-Street baths on a Sunday morning emptying his lungs into the pool - grim, really grim). Other ideas would be most welcome!

Had the fundraising lady (Louisa) from the hospice on the phone today, she was over the moon with the amount raised so far and is going to be keeping close tabs on the site.

All that's left to say is thank you, thank you, thank you, I know Graeme's 30th birthday will be extra special tomorrow.

Mel x