So this is the start of my annual fundraiser in my Dad's memory and most importantly a way to support other people and families in time not to go through the emptiest that I suffer in my life from on a day to day basis.

As you can see by my fundraising goal I'm not expecting to raise a huge amount of money but whatever I do raise will make A difference.  I shall in return for hopefully £5.00 of your money, Swim 400m in a smelly moat, Cycle 20km around some country roads that go up up up and down down down, followed lastly with a 5km run around the gardens of Hever Castle on Saturday 22nd September 2018...

You can follow all my progress on my youtube channel which I will update regularly, or via my links on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jellybeanafc twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremy_luff

I will leave you with my thoughts on my Dad and why just £5.00 will make such a difference to another family who really doesn't need to lose out on their super hero!

Son, brother, husband, dad, super hero grandpa, best friend, loyal friend and mentor…

A Horsham man, Dad was born in 1946 the 3^rdof 4 boys, first living in New Street before moving to Alder Copse in 1954…

Dad schooled at Clarence Road Junior School before attending Forest Boys and began to show and excel at sports, in particular Football, Cricket and Rugby.  Dad played Football for East End Bennetts Road and Twineham for Cricket…

Dad met my Mum Lesley in the late 60’s and there was much excitement in the family as Mum was already a car owner and the pair owned a mini each.  Before meeting Mum, Dad could be heard riding his motorbike in the local area firstly on a 250cc Honda and then a Norton 750cc Atlas.  Mum and Dad married in 1969 and moved into a new bungalow in Amberley Close…

I started participating in Judo in the early 80’s and so started a family journey which created a very unique bond.  As I became more successful, Dad became my chauffeur taking me to clubs in Sussex, Surrey, Essex and then nationwide and Europe for competitions.  In the background he began his own Judo journey and was mentored to Competition Controller by the late and lovely Jean McNaughton.  Dad had many highlights to his officiating career including the Europeans, Worlds and 2 Commonwealth Games and in November last year awarded his 1^stDan, black belt.  The icing on the cake for him was when the Olympics came to London in 2012 and he was so proud of British Judo and his Olympic uniform and trilby.  For all the opportunities that Dad had in Judo, the most important part of the sport to him was being part of the Judo family and developing the sport and individuals within to profit British Judo…

Mum started playing short mate Bowls roughly 20 years ago and it didn’t take long for Dad to get involved.  Once again his competitive spirit shone through and the pair began to win mix doubles competitions at club level and for Dad later on winning league tournaments and competing at county level on long and short mats…

But for all of Dads interests he was a family man at heart…

I married in 2006 to my wife Maria and was proud to have Dad as my best man.  My son Benjamin arrived in 2007 and Dad quickly built a special bond as I did with Dad. Grandpa enjoyed picking Benjamin up from school and would often be seen walking up the road with Benjamin’s scooter hung over his shoulder to collect him from school…

But let’s not forget… he lives in our hearts and the memories we have will never be forgotten…