Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Dear All,

As you may know, one of my best mates (who is also my brother-in-law) is currently on his second tour of Afghanistan and therefore Help For Heroes is a charity which is close to my heart. If any of you saw the recent documentary called 'wounded' you will know how important it is to raise money for this cause and what an amazing difference it can make to the lives of injured soldiers and their families. This event has also been a good excuse for me to get back into shape as I have let my fitness slip a bit since getting promoted. I have just 8 weeks until the Gym Test and some of the competitors will be half my age so I've got my work cut out. The Gym Test involves the dreaded bleep test aswell as four bodyweight exercises including maxmum pressups in a minute. My competitors will include representatives from the local Fire and Ambulance Services, St John Ambulance, Special Constabulary, local cadets of various types and several others, unless of  course they wimp out, in which case I shall do the challenge on my own. I understand that in these credit crunch times it is often hard to find spare cash to donate to charity but I will be grateful for whatever donation you can spare. If you are free on Saturday 28/11/2009 at 1230 pm, and can make it to Chingford Foundation School, 31 Nevin Drive, Chingford, London, E4 7LT then please feel free to come along and cheer myself and the rest of the competitors on. All the best and thanks again for your support from Dave Johns.

07/10/09 - The PE department at the school have put forward Sam Shorter as a competitor so I've added her to the team list. The other services have confirmed their involvement and I will add the names of the other competitors over the next few days.

11/10/09 - a few competitors to add - Nick THURBIN from the London Fire Brigade, and Claire HUGGINS who is a pupil at Chingford Foundation School. The web site seems to be working OK now so hopefully the cash will start rolling in. I think my cold is on the way out. I would like to urge the other competitors to publicise this website as much as possible -- it would be good to smash the £1000 target. Please note - the event will be a great community event. Aside from the Gym Test, each of the services represented will have a publicity/recruitment/information stall. There should also be some fun activities for the kids. The event cooincides with the School Christmas Fair  (proceeds of that will not go to this cause but it will add to the fun of the day)

12/10/09 - IMPORTANT NEWS! - My mate's brother has asked to take part in the Gym Test so how could I refuse. The problem is - He's Danny BUTLER - BRITISH MASTERS AND WESTERN AREA MIDDLEWEIGHT BOXING CHAMPION. So any chance I had of winning the Gym Test has now disappeared - never mind, it's all in the name of charity and I know that Danny will bring a lot of support - so welcome to the team Dan.

15/10/09 - a new team member today - Steven WARREN representing St John Ambulance - welcome Steve and don't forget to publicise the web address as much as possible.

23/10/09 - St John Ambulance will also be providing an ambulance and first aiders on the day - hopefully we won't need them but it's better to be safe than sorry. As stated, all of the organisations represented will have a publicity stall at the event, so if you or your kids want to find out more there will be plenty of info available. (as well as emergency vehicles to look around) I have taken delivery of loads of Help for Heroes merchandise so there will also be a stall for this purpose selling all sorts of H4H products.

02/11/09 - Sorry, I've been a bit busy at work and haven't had the chance to update much lately. I am happy to announce two new competitors- Jason HILL, who is representing the Police cadets (he is one of their instructors) and Christian CRISIONE who is representing the marine cadets. Both of you are very welcome on the team - please spread the word re this website to your friends and family to increase the funds raised. The event itself is developing well - there wil be a raffle, as well as the previous stuff that I mentioned. Anyway - a massive thankyou to those who have donated already - I hope to see most of you there on the big day!

09/11/2009 - Our ninth competitor has signed up - Phil JEFFERIES who will be representing The Special Constabulary - well done Phil, we're pleased to have you on the team. There is just one space left on the team and I have three possible competitors so it will be first come first served.

I just paid £10 on behalf of my friend's Lou and Kirsty but for some reason, it failed to save their message so here it is -- you may be a little out of shape being a Sergeant stuck in the office all day.......Only kidding, I am sure you will manage it Mr Super fit, Go for it Mr Johns.

11/11/09 - Our tenth, and final competitor has signed up today - Martin COCKLE, who is representing the Air Cadets - well done Martin, pleased to have another cadet group represented. Things have really fallen into place today - we had a few insurance issues to do with the event but thats sorted now, we've got ten competitors, we've got some really good raffle prizes.

17/11/09 - If you've seen the news today, you will know that Corporal Loren MARLTON - THOMAS of The Royal Engineers 33 regiment is the latest soldier to have lost his life in Afghanistan this year. Loren or 'Loz' as he was known, was a close friend of my Brother-in-law Adam BUTLER who is serving with the same unit. A number of other soldiers from 33 regiment were also seriously injured in this incident. For this reason, I once again urge you to make a donation to this worthy cause so that we can show our support for the brave men and women of our armed forces and recognise the massive sacrifice made by them and their families. Adam has asked if we could dedicate this charity event to Loz, and we will duly oblige. Our thoughts are with Loz's family at this very sad time.

23/11/09 - Less than a week to go! - I need to say a few thankyous to people who have helped make this event happen -Thankyou to the following-

My team at work who have done all sorts of errands and delivered publicity leaflets and posters. Local Endlebury residents and the Larkswood Rd Scout group who also delivered leaflets. Colin at Chingford Foundation School who has allowed us to use the School's facilities. Direct Boot - on Hertford Rd EN3 who very kindly printed the competitors tshirts for free. Elm's Trophies on Southbury Rd EN1 who donated the winner's trophy for free. Tottenham Hotspur, The Pussy Cat Dolls, ASDA, TESCO, THE ENTERTAINER, FASHION AVENUE (Harlow shops) Who all donated raffle prizes - there will be more to thank by the end of the week. A big thankyou to all of the competitors who have agreed to take part, and all of the organisations who will be running activities on the day. A MASSIVE THANKYOU to The Epping Forest Pipe Band who are providing their services for free on the day! You will realise what a big favour this was when you see and hear them on the day.

26/11/09 - A few more thankyous for raffle prizes which have been donated - Thankyou to Table 7 (restaurant) and T.A JONES & SONS BUTCHERS both at THE GREEN in CHINGFORD. Thankyou to Denise BOND and Mandy JOHNS (My wife) aswell as Julie and Geoff THOMPSON all of whom have donated raffle prizes. I'm really looking forward to Saturday as it should be a great day and hopefuly we'll raise loads of cash - fingers crossed it won't rain - but most of the activities are indoors so it shouldn't be a problem either way.

I have had a rather testing week - my wife has had swine flu and my dog has had a horrible bug - I am hiding in the spare room, trying not to get ill.

*UPDATE* - Unfortunately Danny BUTLER has had to pull out of the charity event as he will be competing for the British and Commonwealth Middleweight Boxing Title this Saturday Night. As you can see, he has very generously contributed the £500 purse from his last fight to our H4H fund taking us over the £1000 target! I am confident we can double this at the event so H4H should be very pleased. Sorry you can't be with us on Saturday Dan but the very best of luck in your title fight - we'll all be rooting for you.

Jake WYLDS aged 16 years old took Danny's place in the competition.The Event ran between 1230 and 1600 hours on Saturday 28/12/2009. It was opened by The Epping Forest Pipe Band who marched the 9 competitors and local Air cadets into the Hall. Sergeant Dave Johns gave an opening speech explaining a bit about the charity and why he picked that cause. PTI Jake THACKRAY then explained the rules for the Gym Test and the competition began. This part of the day took about an hour and the top three results were as follows -
1st place - Nick THURBIN - Fire Fighter (former pro boxer)

2nd place - Dave JOHNS - Police Officer

3rd place - Sam SHORTER - PE Teacher

The day also included a Help for Heroes merchandise stall, raffle (with prizes donated by local shops, Ricky Hatton, Jane Couch, The Pussy Cat Dolls, and Spurs FC) and information stands on all of the organisations taking part. Everyone had a great time and there is still money coming in so we should reach the £2000 mark before the site closes.

Many thanks from Dave Johns