Martin Priestley is fundraising for Children's Hospice South West

Squashathon - Warminster School

A long way to go - Friday 12 noon

Photos (9)

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Raising money for

Children's Hospice South West

Charity Registration No. 1003314

At Children’s Hospice South West we help and support children and their families who are living with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions and we are the only organisation in the South West to provide vital hospice care to these families. Some families come to us for palliative care, some for emergency care and many for planned respite and a rare opportunity for a break away. But there’s more to it than that. We provide a loving and caring place for every member of the families who stay with us. A place where everyone can begin to forget their worries for a while, be a family again and find expert help and support in facing an uncertain future.

Our services are free to the families who need us because we believe that nothing should get in the way of very sick children receiving the very best care. So, with little government funding, we rely on the generosity of our supporters to deliver our promise to ‘make the most of short and precious lives’.

Children’s Hospice South West has two purpose-built hospices in the South West. Little Bridge House in North Devon and Charlton Farm in North Somerset. A third special home from home for life-limited children in Cornwall and Plymouth, is due to open in 2011 called Little Harbour.

To find out more please visit www.chsw.org.uk or call 01271 325270

Page owner

Martin Priestley

Page closes

29/06/2014

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Raised: 102%

Target: £10,000.00
Raised so far: £10,189.49

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My story

Dear All,

AMAZINGLY, WE HAVE REACHED OUR TARGET!

THANKS SO MUCH TO EVERYONE WHO HAS DONATED THUS FAR.

If you haven't yet donated, or if you just want to know a little more about the squashathon, then please do read on!

So, what was the squashathon? Well, the idea was to play squash for 24 hours – non-stop. The rules of squash allowed me a minute’s break between games – that’s all I got. I started at 12 noon on Friday 18 September and I finished (you guessed it!) just after noon on Saturday 19 September. The students of Warminster School, in half-hour slots, provided the bulk of the opposition, but Jonah Barrington, one of the greatest players in the history of the game, agreed to play the final half-hour against me – a huge honour for me as a humble club player, and a real sign of how much he too was inspired by CHSW.

So, did I survive? Yes, I am alive! Apart from being very stiff in the calves and thighs for a few days, I am absolutely fine. A massive thank-you to everyone who helped financially, logistically and psychologically. Had I eaten everything left for me by well-wishers, I would have actually GAINED weight during the 24 hours! Particular thanks to Mrs Morgan and Mrs Webb who masterminded the logistics and to all my 48 playing partners and to all the colleagues, parents and pupils who gave up sleep to come and support: you certainly helped to keep my spirits up. Particular mention goes to Oli Barr, who scored ("marked", as it is called in squash jargon) from the viewing balcony for 21 hours in one go - a great effort! For the stattos amongst you, the record reads: Games Played: 251; Won: 250; Lost 1 (well done, Billy Ho!). Jonah Barrington was outstanding: it was such a thrill for me to be on court with the legend himself. He was a fantastic ambassador for the sport, and so generous of his time. I managed to squeeze past him, 3 games to 0 (9-2, 9-4, 9-8). [I mention the game scores because one significant piece of sponsorship depends on how I got on against Jonah!]

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page - it will be up for a few more weeks.

I am really excited about this charitable venture – above all, because I believe so strongly in the cause for which we are asking for your support. As you probably know, Warminster School already has well-established links with the Children’s Hospice South-West. This, however, is possibly the largest whole-school charity project we have attempted in our 302-year history.

Most importantly, let me say something about this wonderful charity. Children’s Hospice South-West (CHSW) exists to support children who are affected by life-limiting conditions (meaning that they will not reach adulthood) and also the families of these children. The mission statement of CHSW is “Making the Most of Short and Precious Lives”. The charity currently has two hospices in the South-West, with a further hospice to follow in Cornwall within the next couple of years. In each of their wonderful facilities, Little Bridge House and Charlton Farm, they have 8 children’s bedrooms, and plenty of accommodation for parents and the rest of the family. The aim has been to keep the feel of the hospices as "Home from Home" environments. In preparing for a child coming to stay, the bedroom will be made welcoming with some of their favourite books, DVDs and toys.

I went to Charlton Farm a month or two ago to see the facilities for myself. It was an uplifting and yet humbling experience – and one which made me more determined than ever to ensure that we, as a school community, can and will make a difference. The hospices cater for four distinct but inter-connected needs: for respite care, for palliative care, for emergency care and for end-of-life care. CHSW receives very little funding from the state and relies on individual, community, corporate and grant making bodies to raise funds through donations. This means that the organisation is always in need of funds to sustain their efforts – but it also means that the hospices retain a feel somewhere between that of a hotel and a family home. Yet, despite this homely feel, they have all the staff and facilities required to look after children who require 24-hour care, whilst allowing siblings and parents the chance to breathe, relax and to spend precious time as a family. I was amazed by the quality of the facilities and by the commitment and professionalism of the staff. It is a truly wonderful place.

Please do give generously – for a fantastic cause. Thank you very much for your support.

Finally, a few words about using this website. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to CHSW and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a

taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.

Thanks again,

Martin Priestley

	I knew you could do it!! Donation by Jenni B 11/11/09	£53.80 + £15.17 Gift Aid
	Congratulations from 12JM - George is practising for a re-match.... Donation by 12JM 11/11/09
	So when is the next one going to be?! Donation by Anonymous 30/10/09
	I only wish I could have been down with you to re-create one of our ridiculous several hour long marathon matches that took place at Repton. Donation by Christian Stewart 20/10/09	£700.00 + £197.44 Gift Aid
	Wonderful idea and realisation Donation by Johannes Leon 19/10/09	£100.00
	Congratulations from Edith and David Donation by David gilkes 09/10/09	£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid
	sperEelesJasperEelesJasperEelesJasperEelesJasperEelesJasperEelesJasperEelesJasperEelesJasperEeles Donation by Specky 06/10/09	£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid
	Congratulations Donation by Jaggs Family 06/10/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	congratulations, Martin - Jonah Barrington, eh? Wow! Donation by Muriel Dagg 04/10/09	£10.00
	Well done, Mr P! Donation by Anonymous 02/10/09	£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid
	Donation by Nicola Trusler 02/10/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Very worthy cause Donation by Veronica Godbold 30/09/09	£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid
	Donation by Charles Goodbody 28/09/09	£25.00
	Well done! Donation by Amanda Leworthy 28/09/09	£40.00 + £11.28 Gift Aid
	Bravo! Fantastic achievement =) Donation by Nadja, Kevin & Robert Byrne 26/09/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Some more from us! Donation by Ian, Gill, James and Claire McComas 26/09/09	£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid
	Well done, great achievement. Donation by Head family 25/09/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Well done - a fantastic effort for a very worthy cause. Donation by The Abbott family 25/09/09	£180.00 + £50.77 Gift Aid
	Martin, fantastic effort! though score looks a bit iffy!! Should Andy be seeking a stewards inquiry? Well done. Donation by Joel, Alison, Matthew & Sophie 24/09/09	£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid
	Congratulations and well done! Donation by Luise Winkler 24/09/09	£50.00
	Well done Jasper - you even managed to keep your eyes open for most of Sunday! Donation by Louise Frankel 24/09/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Donation by Johanna Higgens 24/09/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Well Done! From Chris Page (Re: Tash Ross (8SAS) Donation by C R B Page 23/09/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Well done. An amazing achievement Donation by Justin, Sam, Charlie and Amy 23/09/09	£20.00
	Donation by Luise Winkler 23/09/09	£50.00
	Very many congratulations on all your hard work for a very worthy cause Donation by The Asprays 22/09/09	£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid
	Wishing Martin every success with the squash Marathon from Alderbury Sewing Bee Group Donation by M, C, J, B, U, H and B 22/09/09	£33.00 + £9.31 Gift Aid
	Well done, Martin Donation by Ken & Pat Otter 22/09/09	£6.00 + £1.69 Gift Aid
	From Mr and Mrs D Bennett and Mark (Year 11) Donation by The Bennetts 22/09/09	£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid
	Incredible!! Congratulations from Joe Harry Lyn & Ian Mesnard Donation by Lyn Mesnard 22/09/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

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* Total raised online:	£8,962.30
Offline donations:	£1,227.19
Gift Aid plus supplement:	£1,665.60

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