Hello!  Cue the Eye of The Tiger music now. 

On 21st July, I'll be sitting in a Dragon Boat, racing other Dragon Boat teams, rowing my puny little arms off to raise money for the awesomely brilliant charity Widowed And Young (WAY). 

You may not have heard of WAY, and I hope you will never have need to use its services, but it offers bereavement support to younger people when they lose their partner (50 or less being their definition of young - another reason to love them!).  

Since losing my wife Emma in November 2017, WAY have been immensely supportive and helpful for me in my bereavement. I've met some great people who have sadly been through similar tragedies but as a result understand my issues, and made a bunch of new friends in the process who I would never have had the opportunity to meet through "normal" channels.

WAY is the club nobody wants to join, but once you're in, it provides invaluable support at a time when you're most vulnerable,  They have pretty much saved my life, I'd say.

I also took part in the Dragon Boat Race last year, and raised over £1600 - something I am so incredibly proud of.  You may have helped me to achieve this brilliant result, in which case a huge pat on the back for you! Thank you so much.  If you could find it in you - and your bank account - to help WAY again this year, then an extra large pat can be added to the first one.  And if you didn't give last year, you can put that right, right now, and enjoy the very finest pattage.  And if your name is Pat, well I dunno, give yourself a you on the back just for being you.  And then give me some money.

Hopefully, with your help, I can beat last year's ace total! 

Thanks again. You're the best.

Ben xx

More info on the Dragon Boat races can be found here:  http://kingstonrotaryclub.org.uk/events/dragon-boats/

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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 the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.