Thankyou.

First of all we would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has donated to this memorial for Gary. We didn’t assume, but are not surprised, to receive such a generous response from you all. We thought there would have to be a few dressing up as chickens, sponsored events before we got there so thank you that we don’t have to do that.

Now that we do have enough funds, we would like to give you an update on what happens now. In the second weekend of November we will be making a trip to Snowdonia National Park in Wales to pick up the slate. (Naively I thought this was a two man, back of the car kind of job but Tom has told me it will involve hiring a van and forklift. This should give some idea of the size the piece will be). Whilst there, and through this whole process, we will be trying to live up to Garys legacy by enjoying the outdoors and having a good drink! Then its back to Toms workshop in Oxford where the stone can be put into place and the work will begin.

Toms a dear friend who Gary was proud of and he loved his work. The piece will be hand made by Tom in his spare time, so please be prepared for it to take some time to complete. There will be regular updates along the way though and if you ever are in the area, feel free to pay him a visit, check up on progress and raise a glass.

Thank you once again for all your generosity. There is massive Gary shaped hole in all our lives and he will always be missed. We hope this memorial will bring us all small comfort in the years to come. xx

(Any funds we have extra after we have got the slate, will go towards transport and installation costs when we know where it will be placed. If you any questions feel free to get in touch at chrismhull@hotmail.com).

Gary John Wood

21.07.80 - 22.07.17

I am trying to raise this money for a large piece of Welsh slate to hand carve a memorial to a dear friend and greatly inspirational man who sadly passed away leaving a huge void in the lives of many.
Gary was a truly unique individual who accomplished many extraordinary feats in his life time. Those who were lucky enough to know him have endless stories of his bravery, love of adventure, brilliant sense of humour, mischievous nature and above all his caring and down to earth character, Gary could relate to anyone.
At Gary's funeral a poem called "If" by Rudyard Kipling was read out and I was struck by how much I could relate this poem directly to the way I thought about my friend. I mentioned this later to his Wife Holly who told me that Gary had previously read the poem to her. She went on to tell me how she'd found copies of this poem everywhere and it became obvious that these are words Gary aspired to.
To me there are so many lines in this work that make me well up with emotion and thoughts of proudness of who Gary was. I'd find it a great honour to carve these wise words in a dedication to a brilliant man and amazing friend who ment so much to so many.

[Opening verse of If- by Rudyard Kipling]

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
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Any money raised will go towards the costs of materials only.
Thankyou,
Tom.