Phil Woodward
Phil's #Believe Welsh Marathon page
Fundraising for Believe - Organ Donor Support
Story
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
BELIEVE – ORGAN DONOR SUPPORT is a charity established by Anna-Louise Bates in memory of Stuart and Fraser (Bear) Bates aiming to promote and support Organ Donation across Wales and beyond.
Anna-Louise Bates, whose son Fraser and husband Stuart were struck crossing a road in Talbot Green, established BELIEVE – ORGAN DONOR SUPPORT to encourage other families to discuss their wishes over organ donation.
When announcing her decision to form the charity Anna-Louise said:-
“It was from our faith that we had a family discussion on organ donation and it is my belief that Fraser’s destiny was to give life even in death. Knowing my decision to donate organs was based on their expressed wishes to help other families has given me strength and incredible inner peace.”
Since announcing the formation of the charity the word has been spreading rapidly both across the UK and the rest of the world. There are now 2 main ways the word is spreading, the Believe stance, and the travels of Fraser Bear. Both of these are powerful symbols which have captured the public imagination and are helping to bring the important message of organ donation to many more people. There are now a small army of people helping spread these message.
My Story: I met Stuart back in 96 where both started our first day in a new job in the centre of Birmingham and struck up a friendship there and then. Even though our careers took different paths we kept in touch discussing families, football and music amongst other things. Stuart and Fraser's (Bear) untimely death shocked my family and may have been the first time James saw me cry.
What Anna has done is beyond amazing and both Stuart and Fraser would be immensely proud of Anna and Elizabeth.
So why am I running this marathon? It all started from a comment on Facebook about my annual 'rejected' from London Marathon to which Anna responded 'There is the Welsh Marathon in April' ..... 'you could run for believe!' - I could not say no, it's an honour to run for this charity - I may have to even (or maybe not) wear Red (worth extra sponsorship) which is something I'd never normally do as an Evertonian!
Please check the believe website: https://www.believe-ods.org.uk/ for more information (and where you can get a Fraser Bear from)
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.
BELIEVE – ORGAN DONOR SUPPORT is a charity established by Anna-Louise Bates in memory of Stuart and Fraser (Bear) Bates aiming to promote and support Organ Donation across Wales and beyond.
Anna-Louise Bates, whose son Fraser and husband Stuart were struck crossing a road in Talbot Green, established BELIEVE – ORGAN DONOR SUPPORT to encourage other families to discuss their wishes over organ donation.
When announcing her decision to form the charity Anna-Louise said:-
“It was from our faith that we had a family discussion on organ donation and it is my belief that Fraser’s destiny was to give life even in death. Knowing my decision to donate organs was based on their expressed wishes to help other families has given me strength and incredible inner peace.”
Since announcing the formation of the charity the word has been spreading rapidly both across the UK and the rest of the world. There are now 2 main ways the word is spreading, the Believe stance, and the travels of Fraser Bear. Both of these are powerful symbols which have captured the public imagination and are helping to bring the important message of organ donation to many more people. There are now a small army of people helping spread these message.
My Story: I met Stuart back in 96 where both started our first day in a new job in the centre of Birmingham and struck up a friendship there and then. Even though our careers took different paths we kept in touch discussing families, football and music amongst other things. Stuart and Fraser's (Bear) untimely death shocked my family and may have been the first time James saw me cry.
What Anna has done is beyond amazing and both Stuart and Fraser would be immensely proud of Anna and Elizabeth.
So why am I running this marathon? It all started from a comment on Facebook about my annual 'rejected' from London Marathon to which Anna responded 'There is the Welsh Marathon in April' ..... 'you could run for believe!' - I could not say no, it's an honour to run for this charity - I may have to even (or maybe not) wear Red (worth extra sponsorship) which is something I'd never normally do as an Evertonian!
Please check the believe website: https://www.believe-ods.org.uk/ for more information (and where you can get a Fraser Bear from)
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.