After ten years and approximately 36,500 cigarettes, I am giving up smoking for two reasons:
1. I would like to receive a letter from my mother that did not contain a clipping from the Daily Telegraph about the gruesome effects of smoking. The usual correspondence reads, "Hi Darling. Hope you're well. Enclosed an article about slow and painful smoking-related deaths. Enjoy!"
2. I've read so many clippings from The Daily Telegraph about slow and painful smoking-related deaths, I've decided I'd rather die naturally. Or even be hit by a bus.
There is one slight problem. I don't fulfil the essential criteria for successful abstention. Every advert, every resource, every sanctimonious ex-smoker has just one thing to say on the subject: "You have to want to give up." Well, I don't. I really, really like smoking. It's my favourite thing in the whole world. Ouch. My second favourite thing.
So I need a serious incentive to bolster my milk-livered willpower, and that's where you come in. Hit the 'Pay on Completion' button above and sponsor me to stay off the ciggies. If I've not had a cigarette by 1 May 2005, your card will be debited. If I fail, I pledge to pay the entire total to charity on your behalf.
So there's the incentive. The more you sponsor me, the more a cigarette will cost me, the less likely I am to lapse. So dig deep. You're saving my life.
Your money (or mine, as the case may be) is going to a great cause. The Refugee Council provides advice, support and essential welfare to thousands of refugees, and promotes tolerance and understanding of their plight. Are you listening, Michael Howard?
So please give whatever you can through this online fundraising page. If you are a UK taxpayer, your donation will be increased by 28% at no cost to you.
Find out how I'm getting on at www.ceruleansmoke.blogspot.com
thanks everyone,
j.x
Raised:
81%
Raised so far: £812.00
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Donation by Rash on 15/05/05 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Donation by lorna hosler on 13/05/05 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Donation by Phil on 13/05/05 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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Donation by Molly on 13/05/05 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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Here's a different kind of coughing up. Eeeewww. Donation by Tommy Tucker on 13/05/05 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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Donation by Will Hardy on 13/05/05 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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Well Done Jimmy - It would be more, but I have adopted five refugees - so money's tight Donation by Nick Griffin on 13/05/05 |
£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid |
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Donation by Alice G on 05/04/05 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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Good luck! Donation by CP on 11/03/05 |
£2.00 + £0.56 Gift Aid |
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Just to get you up to your target amount!!! Donation by Elizabeth K on 07/03/05 |
£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid |
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Very well done - now help me raise money fro Lesotho! Donation by Anonymous on 03/03/05 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Go for it James Donation by Phil Terrett on 01/03/05 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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You belter - Keep going matey! Donation by Becca on 24/02/05 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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what would dean & sal make of going 'on the road' without cigs!, we'll have to make amends. Donation by carl on 18/02/05 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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Excessive Haribo consumption is a poor replacement dude. Donation by Simon on 17/02/05 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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loser Donation by Paul J on 17/02/05 |
£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid |
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Never thought I'd see the day! Donation by Curly Jo on 17/02/05 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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Donation by Alan Lane on 15/02/05 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Ha ha, smoke, you know you want too.... All those warnings - they're all lies!! ;o) Donation by Paul Harvey on 15/02/05 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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keep it up bro! xx Donation by lil sis! on 13/02/05 |
£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid |
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I have faith in you James! Donation by Terri Hua on 10/02/05 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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...and a free beer!!!! Donation by Damien (Old Red Lion) on 09/02/05 |
£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid |
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Do you think it'll help in the tennis replay? Donation by Rodney and Shirley Holder on 08/02/05 |
£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid |
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James, if you can quit smoking i genuinely believe there will be a Palestinian homeland in 5 years. Donation by Van Badham on 08/02/05 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Donation by zarine on 08/02/05 |
£75.00 + £21.15 Gift Aid |
| * Total raised online: | £812.00 |
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| Offline donations: | £0.00 |
| Mobile donations: | £0.00 |
| Total Raised: | £812.00 |
| Gift Aid plus supplement: | £220.56 |
* Charities pay a small fee for our service.
Find out
how much it is and what we do for it.