About us Your account Help Home

Return to ROMANCE
Page creator: Nigel Hearnden
Page closes: 31st Dec 2008
In memory of: Anne Hearnden
Fundraising Page Image
About our charity : FORT Cancer Charity FORT Cancer Charity
FORT Cancer Charity is dedicated to supporting those within our community whose lives have been touched by cancer.
Charity Registration No 1107417
Fundraising target:  £50,000.00
Donations to date:  £ 7,877.00
SPONSOR US NOW
 
Share this page I want a page like this Set reminder
Our personal message:

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page you can find more about the walk etc by visiting www.return2romance.co.uk

I am undertaking a sponsored walk starting at the end of January 2008, from Gosport to Rome, a total of 1,300 miles in memory of my late wife Anne. The aim is to raise monies for 4 charities that Anne supported and the project is called "Return to ROMANCE", which stands for Return to ROMe for ANne and CharitiEs. 

The route takes me from Gosport to Portsmouth, across the channel to Caen and onward through France and Italy, arriving in Rome in mid May 2008. In addition to the walk there will also be a charity golf event at the Quindell Golf and Country Club on 30th June 2008 which will include an auction to raise further monies for the charities.


The beneficiaries of my walk will be Action Aid, two local charities; Harbour Cancer Support Centre based in Gosport and the Friends of Oncology and Radiotherapy Cancer Charity (FORT) based at St Mary’s Hospital Portsmouth who support sufferers and their families across Southern and Eastern Hampshire and West Sussex. The fourth is organised by the Catholic Church in Gosport, which is twinned with the parish of Mbetta in Cameroon and raises funds for education, health as well as pastoral projects in the area.

 

Each charity will receive an equal share of all monies raised.

About Anne

Anne was born in Easington in 1957, grew up in Seaham Harbour and was educated in Seaham and Sunderland before joining the Royal Navy as a nurse in 1975.

Anne was first diagnosed with cancer in August 2001 and over the next four years, suffered from three different types: Hodgkin’s lymphoma, bowel cancer and liver cancer (twice). During that period, Anne underwent chemotherapy via peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC lines) for over 20 months and had three major operations until she was in remission from the Hodgkin’s, clear of bowel cancer, had recovered from her latest liver surgery and had been given the all clear by her surgeon, much to mine and her family’s relief.

Having fully recovered, she commenced a precautionary course of chemotherapy in early November 2005 to eradicate any rogue cells that may have remained. Unfortunately, on 23 November Anne developed what appeared to be flu, hospital tests did not reveal anything suspicious and she appeared to be recovering. Her sudden and unexpected death on the 26 November 2005 aged 48 turned out to be due to a rapidly developed infection in her heart.

Anne was a qualified midwife and nurse and from day one she never complained or wanted to hide away and was determined to win her battles. Whenever able, she carried on working as a midwife in Southampton and Portsmouth and later as a nurse in the radiology department at the Royal Hospital Haslar in Gosport. Her experience as a nurse and cancer sufferer enabled her to support others who were starting treatment by giving advice when having intravenous lines fitted in the radiology department and also on the oncology ward when starting their chemotherapy, often while she was having her own treatment.

Anne and I were due to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary in Rome in March 2006 and she would have celebrated her 50th birthday in June 2007. This sponsored walk is to honour that plan and to celebrate a life taken suddenly but also importantly to acknowledge many of the people / charities that Anne supported or which supported us through Anne’s time of need.

The photograph is courtesy of my local paper, THE NEWS.

 

If you would like to join me in walking some of the route and are happy to obtain sponsorship, require information about the golf event, want to provide non-financial support or just want general information about the walk etc, please e mail me at Ret2rom@aol.com

Once all monies have been collected, FORT will ensure that each of the four charities included in this fundraising project receive 25% of the monies.

Please donate generously.

Many thanks for your support.

UPDATE ON PREPARATIONS - FORMAL PRESS LAUNCH 23 SEPT 2007

We had the formal press launch earlier this week (19th Sept) in Portsmouth Guildhall. The launch was attended by the Lord and Lady Mayoress of Portsmouth, Mayor of Gosport and Roman Catholic Bishop of Portsmouth who have all given their support to this project and 30 friends, family, representatives from the 4 charities and others who were interested in hearing about the walk to Rome.

The event was also covered by regional media, The News (follow the link to read the article http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/gosport/Trek-is-tribute-to-wife.3222766.jp), BBC Radio Solent, Regional 106 FM and The Quay 107.4 FM.

There are still many things that I need to obtain before setting off in January 2008, including handheld satnav equipment and a laptop / pda to enable me to send updates to the UK and keep a diary along the way. Any help with accommodation along the way would also be very welcome. If you would like to help, either with equipment, accommodation or find out what other things I need please email me at Ret2rom@aol.com .

UPDATE DECEMBER 2007 - Terrific News

The route has been finalised and departure date agreed - evening of 27th January 2008 (exact time to be confirmed) starting from Gosport Town Hall. The Mayor of Gosport will start the walk with me as far as the Gosport Ferry.

The Mayor of Caen has invited me to join him for a civic breakfast on 29th January to formally commence my walk across France. 

Please keep the sponsorship rolling in.

Nigel

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to donate: FORT Cancer Charity will receive your money electronically and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in Gift Aid will be added to your donation at no cost to you.

Our online fundraisers to date:
Display Name Date Amount Tax Bonus  Comment
megwolff@LJ 12/05/2008 £25.00 n/a Thinking of you. What a wonderful achievement! 
Grace Ritchey 11/05/2008 £15.00 n/a  
Nigel Hearnden 03/05/2008 £205.00 n/a I have received 255 euros from people in France and Italy in the 3 months I have been doing the walk. I have used the exchange rate as at 02.05.08.  
Jeanette Goodman 17/04/2008 £5.00 £1.41 In memory of my sister-in-law Anne. Wonderful thing you are doing Nigel - good luck. Everything I said was true. Jeanette (Space Hopper) 
Nuala Laverty 08/04/2008 £25.00 £7.05 What a star! Anne would be very proud. 
Friends of Le Bellerive Hotel 07/04/2008 £95.00 n/a Brilliant effort Nigel, we are with you in spirit. 
Blue soup 28/03/2008 £10.00 £2.82 A wonderful way to remember your wife. Wishing you all the luck in the world for your walk. 
Nine 27/03/2008 £20.00 £5.64 Good luck on your travels. I'm sorry for your loss. I lost my mum to cancer. 
Toni 27/03/2008 £5.00 n/a I came across your cause on Livejournal. You are truly inspiring! I got chills reading your words. B 
Emily Bloch 27/03/2008 £10.00 n/a I applaud you! Reading your journal as well. 
stella 24/03/2008 £5.00 n/a Have heard you speak on Radio Solent and admire your motives. May the Lord walk with you and the wind be ever at your back. 
Amstel 20/03/2008 £10.00 n/a God Bless and Good Luck. You are doing a wonderful thing. 
Anon 19/03/2008 £100.00 n/a Best of luck in your efforts - what you are doing is truly inspiring 
Sarah 18/03/2008 £5.00 n/a I came across your LiveJournal - all the best of luck and God bless. :) 
Yeo Lee Soon 18/03/2008 £100.00 n/a Mum died 10 yrs ago from stomache cancer. The grieving seems perpetual. This is a great effort by you. God bless. <Singapore> 
Saphie 18/03/2008 £10.00 n/a Good luck and God bless. 
TulsaOkla 17/03/2008 £12.00 n/a I found you on Live Journal and I will send a link to my friends. I am glad you set up an online site for your donation. Good Luck. 
nick 16/03/2008 £20.00 n/a You two give the rest of us romantics hope! Good luck! 
C Donovan 14/03/2008 £10.00 £2.82 Good luck with everything, im sure your wife will be with you all the way 
wingflutter@LJ 14/03/2008 £10.00 £2.82 best of luck! what a wonderful thing to do! 
sonderburg 14/03/2008 £20.00 n/a All the best! Your love and her memory will see you through! 
Kylie1206 14/03/2008 £10.00 £2.82 Good luck Nigel. All the best 
IVAN GRIXTI 09/02/2008 £20.00 n/a Good luck Nigel and I am pretty sure Anne is watching over you 
Sean 31/01/2008 £5.00 £1.41 Good luck and God Bless 
Jo Freeman 25/01/2008 £25.00 £7.05 Good Luck Nigel... will be supporting you every step of the way x 
John Walton 24/01/2008 £30.00 £8.46 Good Luck Nigel. Hijacked quiz winnings forwarded, thanks to Ann, Dian, Carl, Keith, Shirley & Sue 
Mike Farr 22/01/2008 £50.00 £14.10  
anonymous 30/12/2007 £50.00 £14.10  
Norah Hallinon 28/12/2007 £50.00 £14.10  
Mandy Winham 27/12/2007 £20.00 £5.64 Best foot forward 
Hayley 20/12/2007 £10.00 £2.82 I work at SGH and read your story in Connect. You are an inspiration, wishing you lots of luck  
Aneta Zieba 19/12/2007 £10.00 £2.82 Merry Christmas, Nigel! I will keep my fingers crossed!:) 
julie williams 17/12/2007 £10.00 £2.82 See you on the ferry sometime after you have completed, all the very best Nigel 
Ann Macfarlane 04/12/2007 £20.00 £5.64 Good Luck Nigel, you can do it! 
Laurence Slade 02/12/2007 £20.00 £5.64 Good luck with the walk and best wishes 
Kay Gillard 30/11/2007 £20.00 £5.64 What a great thing you are doing - we are all supporting you and wishing you well. 
Justin Scott 30/11/2007 £10.00 £2.82 The very best of luck Nigel - you can do it! 
Kim Reed 29/11/2007 £10.00 £2.82 Sorry it took so long for me to do this! Best of luck with the walk and keep me updated xxxxxxxx 
Angela Sykes 14/11/2007 £10.00 £2.82  
morsey 27/09/2007 £20.00 £5.64 Nigel, I will be thinking of you, take good care of yourself, and enjoy  
Gail Easterbrook 19/09/2007 £25.00 £7.05 Those feet were made for walking! Good Luck! 
Rachel Bowden 07/09/2007 £20.00 £5.64 Good Luck Nigel 
Stephen Crowe 06/09/2007 £25.00 £7.05 Just keep going. You'll make it! 
Rob Melville 06/09/2007 £10.00 £2.82 Drink a Peroni for me when you get there 
david hearnden 05/09/2007 £50.00 £14.10 Good luck Dad I know you can do it 
Eileen Clarke 05/09/2007 £10.00 £2.82 Best wishes, Nigel. 
Geoff Swallow 05/09/2007 £50.00 £14.10  
Alan Griffin 03/09/2007 £50.00 £14.10 All the very best, Nige. Might see you in Rome! 
JOHN SIMONDS 01/09/2007 £50.00 £14.10 Go for it Nige, I've no doubt you've got the strength to do it mate. 
Gosport Ferry 30/08/2007 £100.00 n/a All the best for a successful (ad)venture from all at Gosport Ferry 
Mike Lord 23/08/2007 £10.00 £2.82 Nigel, best wishes and good luck. 
Elspeth McAinsh 22/08/2007 £10.00 £2.82 Good luck Nigel. Hope it all goes well. 
Julia David 22/08/2007 £10.00 £2.82 Good luck! 
Brian Etherington 22/08/2007 £20.00 £5.64 All the best on the walk - it will be a fitting memorial to Ann 
Norman 21/08/2007 £10.00 £2.82 Strength and Health to do it !! 
robert beattie 21/08/2007 £10.00 £2.82 Good luck mate - fantastice effrot 
Verisign secure site-- click to verify SPONSOR US NOW
*Total donated online: £1,577.00
Amount raised offline: £6,300.00
Plus Justgiving has reclaimed Gift Aid of: £231.28
Page tags 
The page owner has yet to add tags to this page

If you are the page owner, why not get tagging right now?
  rss logo  | more about RSS  

  

 add to Del.icio.us   

If you find anything on this page offensive, please report it to us in confidence by clicking here

* - Transaction charges apply to this amount.

Justgiving — Fundraising made easy