Pat - A giantleman not a charity case.

I made this word up because this human is special, he is one of those ones, you don't know why but he earns your respect at the sheer presence of his existence. He is a giant of a man as well as a gentleman. My memories of meeting him on site are his vast hands. Uniquely massive hands.

His name is Pat and now and then he used to plaster our houses, the thing with Pat, some of his character traits were memorable and endearing. No moaning, positive attitude, loyal and all in all a man of his word.

He used to say "I like you Raff, you're strategically humble but i know you're up there, you're clever you're not like me" (in his super tone of a voice, i don't have the words to describe the deepness my ears heard when Pat spoke).

How wrong Pat, I can only dream to have your values and integrity.

A grafter and although now more frustratingly than ever sat in hospital he deserves the ability to work, it was his life and well he appreciated it everyday.

I write this because this guy deserves to be famous, purely because he has worked, he didn't moan and he is honest and cared for me and my projects from the start. He would fit me in, he would try and help and for what reason? Probably the same reason i feel he deserves my fund raising.

As most of you know if i fail, i like to fail big, lets go for £10,000 and even if we fail at £1000 we did our best and that's what Pat did for me, he tried to help even when he had no reason to do so.

Pat i used to wonder why you always cared so much for me, i was no one, but now i know Pat, its because i didn't know and now i know, you had no reason to care - you just did. And i have no reason to help, but i want to because i don't know why you cared.

To all the plasterer's, to all the builders, to all men, to all humans i have encountered, let's all hope and donate. Not to Pat and his massive hands but to the idea of everything this man stood for which is rare and honourable.

Pat i'll come and see you when i recover from the New York Marathon and i hope that by that time you are enjoying the money raised!

Like a lot of people we know Pat has had a stroke/heart attack, why does he need the money, probably because he probably never had or wanted a hand out and probably at this time needs and deserves one.

So i choose you Pat, why? Because you cared more than you had too. x