Dave Hughes and Llinos Hughes 10KDreamteam Challenge
David Hughes is raising money for Nightingale House Hospice
Story
Dave retired from North Wales Police in April 2011 after 30 years service. 12 months later he was diagnosed with a brain stem tumour. Following intrusive surgery his vision, speech and mobility were impaired. In November 2012, he rejoined his local gym determined to gain at least a minimal level of mobility, and was deposited there on a regular basis. With encouragement and support from family and friends he gradually began to walk unaided again, and on the 7th April, 2013 he and Llinos completed their first road run, the Wrexham 10K, in aid of Nightingale House Hospice.
He presently works for Wales Probation Trust as a Relief Probation Service Officer, and LLinos is a Police Community Support Officer with North Wales Police.
Dave still has no feeling down one side of his body due to the location of the tumour, but the "10K Dream Team" as they call themselves have since completed a number of 10K runs, and have decided to attempt the Cardiff Half Marathon on the 6th October 2013 in aid of Nightingale House Hospice. They are determined to raise as much sponsorship as possible for this worthy cause, and will be supported by family and friends known as the "10K Dream Team Support Crew". All donations are sincerely appreciated. They have paid all their own accomodation and transport costs. All money raised will go to Nightingale House.
Thanks Wales Probation Trust for promoting this and to my colleagues there, the pledges made and support.
Computer lady in Mold and all the off line donations to date.
Bangor Flapjack Appreciation Society
Mike, Mr. Ellis, Lynette, Mr. Clayton, Sue and those who wish to remain anon - bless you and thanks for the kind words.
John Ryan, Keith Smith and Ruth what a pleasure to see you in Mold today. Nice to have a good chat and catch up. Take Care out there.
SA01 - Blimey JR like me it's prob in need of a good overhaul! we did have fun on the radio at times. Thnx for the donation John.
20/09
anon donor - thank you x
phil - appreciate it
JS - thanx
Hello Mr. Cooke nice to hear from you Sir - thank you
Val and Mike - thanks guys
Andy - thnks for getting in touch nice to hear from you
We will update like this on a daily basis if we are able to - its a bit more of a personal thank you.
Tudur a Rhian-Diolch x
Hi Jill - trust you are well. take care and thank you. x
Diolch Dad a Mam x
21/09
Hiya Carole - Bless you me dear : )
Mr and Mrs Lloyd - Hughes - It was over 30years ago that you put pen to paper. It must have been a very good reference to get me into NWP and I don't think I ever said thank you. So, thank you Sir, and I hope and trust you are better. Kindest regards to you both x
23/09
Good Morning America! Hi Susan, John and family thank you so much for the donation.
we did the Aintree 10k yday, around the Grand National Racecourse, minus the jumps! Ann told me she had been on the telephone to you, hope everything is ok with you. Our best times yet, although Llinos has blisters 2 weeks before the big day!
Keith - thanks matey and I do sincerely wish you well. Am sure I can oblige with an email for an old friend!
SD - thank you
23/09
Ali Wilson
John Hughes - hiya John my mum says you're still smiling
Denis Williams
Pat Bellis
V Carter
Chris Jeffrey
Peta Bellis
Lyn Hines
Gwen who I met outside mums today
Anti Pam & Heidi-Diolchx
Anti Catherine- Diolch x
Iolo,Julie,Tirion a Telor- Diolch xxx
A big thank you to you all xx
25/09
jean and daughter Jeanette ( from Yorkshire ) thank u
Tracey, Mel and Multy Thanks very much to each of you
26/09
i came out of the gym and saw an old friend and colleague, someone who has donated and wished to remain anon. The beauty of just giving is it shows me who you are but hides it from everyone else. So, what a lovely moment for me to see his face when I was able to thank him in person. Priceless! and I will bein touch - promise.
27/09
Ami, Gemma and Brian thanks guys. Am sure Brucie will love his new home.
Andy thank you mate and as for being a gent takes one to know one will we will leave a bit in reserve in the tank to do the Flintshire 10k - hopefully
Ann Russell and Gordon - now then about the window....its ......fine! Love the T shirt. Thank u both
Hiya Tracey-thanks for the donation- May be worth you taking a crash helmet next time. Good job u were bending down as the ball skimmed your head.
28/9
Another press release will be in the Leader on Monday, so please don't worry - apology accepted.
Lovely article in today's Daily Post on page 3 - Thanks Kelly.
A week to go and we are £8 short of our initial target of £500. The response that we have had to date has been tremendous and a BIG thank you to you all. xx
Dr and Mrs Barnett, Mr HuwGareth Jones, Mrs Myra Hughes, Mrs Annette White, Linda Hamilton. Ann and mum told me they had bumped into you in town today. Thanks very much to all of you.
Romily - we very much appreciate your kind gesture - x
7 days to go - let the countdown begin!
29/09
Morning everyone, first donation of the day from Carole and Glyn, mums distant cousins from down south who we only met last week as a result of research into our respective family trees. Thank you very much
Julian old fruit, only one of the trilogy? The sweat and tears you can have in abundance, as for the blood I don't think there will enough to go around. Bless you, we will do our best.
Kate thank you me dear, and next time I am in a world of my own in Halfords car park........sorry about that, was miles away.
30/09 - 6days
JIMBO thanks mate how's the telly?
1/10 - 5days
Mr. Ramage - Thank you very much sir.
Have been to Walton this morning to see Mr Farah - neurosurgeon. Said that there was no change and to have another MRI in 6weeks.
Dashed back to be interviewed - well I no comprende my mother tongue of which I am ashamed - but Llinos did well apparently with our bit to camera darlings for S4C.
We asked them to come to Race HQ (Nightingale House) which they did and Eleri did us proud too, a natural darling, darling.
Will update the broadcast time and date when we know........darling.
2/10 4days to go
Will and Sylvia - thank you xxx
Mother, It goes without saying love you lots , but hey look on the bright side - your just going to be standing round for about 3hours in Cardiff.........xxxx
Thanks Gwylfa - we will do our best. hope ur shoulder better
3/10 3days to go
Kai - Thank you for your donation this morning mate
Sian in Bangor - thanks it means a lot to us that people like you are taking the time and the trouble to support us.
Mr. Anonymous - We know who you are and it goes without saying its a big thank you - regards to dad
Griff - Hello mate - hope you are well - thank you for the sponsorship.
4/10 2days to go
Messages of support are coming in thick and fast. Thanks everyone sorry we can't thank each of you in person.
Tracey, Margaret, Eleri and all at Nightingale House, thanks for the advice and support, we hope to do you proud.
(I never thought I would be wearing purple)
John Williams - thanks for the cash - I called Mold PS this morning so thank you.
All the best Andy Massey - good to see you today - good luck to you and the other cops and robbera who are running today.
5/10
Well were off to Cardiff today ready for tomorrow, so rushing round trying to make sure we have everything. Arrived Cardiff at about 1330hrs but cant check into the hotel till 1500hrs so we get on a train to travel into the city for a few hours.
Walked around the shops, its packed and my mum started singing along with the band of .......whoever it was, but they were playing God Bless The Prince of Wales.
Time to get back for some tea and we got the train back, but big problem, it was the wrong one and we ended up in Rhumney.Three stops back two stations and three trains later we arrived back were we wanted to be, had tea and went to bed. I wont say sleep, because we didnt get any, there was a birthday party in full swing till 0400hrs.
6/10
At 0500hrs on race day, we all got dressed had breakfast and drove to Sophia Gardens, were we parked the cars and walked to the baggage area. Llinos and self left mum, Ann and Jonathan to have a coffee.It was a very cold morning, as we walked around in our running kit and we joined the rest of the runners at the start. Well I say start, it took us 9minutes to get there, and then gradually started to trot along with the rest.
Once we got going and into our rhythum thesun came out and we jogged along at a nice steady pace, taking in some lovely scenery. We had to dodge in and out of the runners in front of us who were slower, and surprising there were a few walkers at an early stage - and lots that decided to take a toilet break at the side of the road (girls and boys)
After about 2.5miles, I heard the sound I had grown accustomed to over the past months, "Dave you go, I'm ok, I'm ok at this pace" I was going anyway but had to ask "Are you sure?" but before she could answer, I lit the afterburners, and was gone......(ye rite)
My run was quite uneventful really, just plodded along, trying to focus and the only jelly baby I had was the end off a small boy who was with his mum (and that cost me an energy drink). Throughout the run, the road was orphaned with them by the people who had gone before trying to grab handfulls at the energy stations.
I saw Ann, mum and jonathan near the end, shouting and waving the flag for me - but i told them i wasn't going to surrender so close to the finish. I trotted home in 2:16:58, and am pleased to say that I ran all the way, which was an achievement in itself. Its the only time when I have been running that after crossing the line, my legs nearly went when I came to a stop.
Had a few bottles of water and waited at the finish line for Llinos to come home - dont forget the last time I saw her was about two hours ago, and I will let her tell her story....
Well as Dave said he left me! It was the usual- me saying "go, I will be ok". I am happy going at my own pace. I go into my own little world and watched the thousands of runners around me. At around the 3 mile mark I started to suffer horrendous pains in my left foot; I tried to ignore it by thinking what chocolate or cake I would have at the end of the race but it didn't work and I had to stop at around 5 miles to take my trainer, 2 pairs of socks and ankle support off- which wasted about 3-4 minutes. However I did feel better for a mile or so until my right one started to hurt the same so had to do the same over again and wasted more time but felt so much better! So off I went back into my own little world! I was quite shocked to see so many people having medical treatment on the side of the road and one girl tripped a few hundred yards in front of me which was quite horrendous to see. I continued to plod along with my jelly beans keeping me going. I saw Jonathan towards the end cheering me and taking photos. Ann and Dave's mum were by the side of the road cheering too but I was concentrating on getting to the finishing line I didn't see them. As I approached the last hill at the finish, a Police motorbike came towards me with two paramedics on bicycles and two men running behind with stretchers, quite worrying seeing them going to the aid of another casualty. However it was an amazing run. Beautiful sceneries and a few bands playing along the way to keep us going. I came home at 2 hours 34 minutes which I was very pleased with to consider the obstacles I had! Dave was waiting for me at the finishing line with a bottle of water. We both went to collect our medals, tshirts and goody bags. We went to get our bags and then went to the park to meet the others. Fantastic day all round!
Brian Leyland Guitar Hero - thanks Bri
Emma Birrell thank you and thanks everyone for your support.
7/10
OMG!! sore this morning, but not as bad as I thought. What a sense of achievement!
Get the Daily Post tommorow they are doing a follow up item. We will keep the page open for a few weeks until we can add up all the sponsorship.
8/10
Mr.Evans - Thanks for the donation and the offer of the mince pies I will hold you to! Tell mum I will bring my own tin - a big one!
10/10
Les and hubby - thank you very much for the online donation. Roll on RAF Shawbury next year x
Tracey and Mr. Medland - I don't know you but you have generously supported our run. thank you both x
11/10
Anti Rhianwen a Yncyl Geraint- Diolch yn fawr xx
12/10
Teulu Tanrogo- Diolch yn fawr xx
15/10
Jane Thomas -thank you. A little bird tells me you used to be athletic yourself? Always up for a hurdle over those barriers on the London Underground. Colin Jackson eat your heart out.
Dianne Farrington and Marg Ellis thank you both - xx
16/10
Hello Nick and Ceri - thanks so much for the donation it's pushing us well beyond our initial target of 500. Nick you still got your dark curly hair (which did go a bit greyer after me driving you round in a traffic car) Always smiling Nick and I bet you still are. Take Care and thank you
: 0 )
17/10
Mr and Mrs Thomas - Ann said she bumped into you today. Thank you very much for the donation - it has now pushed us over the £800 mark! Bless you x
22/10
Julie ag Elwyn-Diolch xx
28/10
Well all the sponsorship has been collected, the notes have been dried and the coinage bitten to verify authencity and we are pleased to say that no duffers were found!
It is a shame that some pledges weren't honoured as it would have brought us pretty near to the £1000 mark, but considering we only had 3 weeks to advertise, promote and raise awareness of our venture for Nightingale House, who were supportive from the outset we are pleased with what we have achieved.
(We had an excellent press officer - thanks Ann)
To all who have sponsored us and given their time to offer encouragement, support and flown the flag for us in Cardiff, a BIG THANK YOU X
29 / 10
Clive and Davina - Thank you both
Janice - It goes without saying your a good neighbour
I will hand the money in later today and your contributions have taken us nicely over £950 - Thanks everyone
xxxx
Its never too late to donate
Trish Lynch - to you I am Anns brother,to me your a star. thank you
Alun - it's never too late and every donation is gratefully accepted. appreciated and thank you from us all
Hello Mrs Pheonix
My goodness, how the years have flown by when you used to look after us in the infants. We always used to like it when you were on dinner duty, because you never used make us eat the semolina we used to have for school dinners - and all us lads used to have a soft spot for you. We used to send scouts up the playground - always a cheer when you were on - bit of a sulk when, well no names : )
Thank you so much for the donation - Rosie cheeks indeed hahaha (everyone remembers them) xx