Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page.

As many of you know, our son Leo was diagnosed with a brain tumour in October 2012.  After surgery in November, he has now begun a gruelling 18 months of chemotherapy at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, which will continue until July 2014. 

Chemotherapy is such a tough treatment for little ones, and although (at the moment) Leo is responding well to the treatment, it is hard to make sense of the pain & suffering any child goes through whilst receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy.  They go through so much & regardless of whether the treatment is having an effect or not, they have nothing to show for what they are enduring. 

However, on our last visit for treatment, we had a lovely surprise.  The RMCH have enrolled into a programme called "Beads Of Courage", and Leo received his very first beads.  Every time Leo has treatment, he receives a bead to add to his chain.  So, when he has a thumb prick (which he sometimes hates more than the actual chemotherapy) he receives a bead.  He gets a different colour for chemotherapy, a clinic visit, hair loss, blood transfusions, surgery, scans, port line replacements, injections, in-patient admissions.  A different coloured bead for pretty much everything.

We thought that this was such a heart warming idea for these children.  It provides Leo with something tangible that he can use to tell his story, and his experiences during treatment.  The beads can help to explain to teachers & friends what has happened to him whilst he has been away from school.  He will have these beads when he has grown up to look back on this stage of his life. They also help children to take ownership of their journey.

Major benefits of the programme are also that it helps to decrease illness related distress, increase the use of positive coping strategies, helps children find meaning in illness and restores a sense of self in children coping with serious illness.

Our aim is to primarily raise £3250 to sponsor the RMCH for the beads for 2014.  We hope to raise more than this to maintain the costs in the future & perhaps provide another childrens hospital's oncology department with their 1st Beads Of Courage.

TEXT BEAD75 & your amount to 70070

SO.....We need your help to raise these funds for an amazing cause & here is what we (so far) plan to do....

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27th September 2015 - Cheshire Cycletta

Michelle Webb is participating in the Cheshire Cycletta, 100km! Thanks Michelle

October 2015 - Going SOBER

Joining me going SOBER, are Louise Jamieson,  Amy Mather, Sarah Byrne......
 
Yikes...................
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2015 - Past events

19th March 2015 - Style Junkie Party

Lottie Dewar very kindly hosted a Style Junkie boutique party & she is kindly donated to this lovely charity - Thanks Lottie & thanks to everyone getting their pennies out!

*22nd March 2015 - Wilmslow Half Marathon

Michelle Webb, Wendy Terry & I participated in the Wilmslow Half Marathon! LOVED IT!

*18th April 2015 - Cheshire 10K

Phil & I - another 10k!

*19th April 2015 - Manchester Marathon 

Very kindly, my lovely friend Helen Legerton has done the Manchester Marathon in a relay team & they  raised money for Leo's Beads.  Joining Helen were Katie Robertson, Rebecca Rennox, & Simon Barwick.  THANK YOU!!! And a HUGE thank you to Wendy Terry who did the full marathon!!!

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2014 - Past events

January 2014 - Leo's Beads Of Courage "Dryathlon"

To start the new year, myself & a group of friends pledged to have NO alcohol in the month of January. With a few minor variations ie, some pledged from 5th Jan - 5th Feb & Helen Whittaker doesn't drink so she gave up the chocolate, As did Carrie Breen & Leo's little friend Jessica Deane!  A huge THANK YOU for everyone who participated. The Dryathlon alone raised over £1150 for Bead Of Courage. Thanks so much to .....................Rosie Douglas, Liam O'Sullivan, Amanda Murphy, Nayna Ganatra, Scott Barlow, Susannah Argyopoulos, Kerry Brown, Victoria Doherty, Louise Jamieson, Helen Seppanen, Jane Deane, Pam Reynolds-Smith, Sarah Blamire, Amanda Hall, Suzanne Esplin, Rebecca Palmer, Caroline Fannon, Tracy Monaghan, Claire Lee, Angela Crawford, Catherine Hall, Carolyn Tomlinson, Karen Child, Michelle Cursley, Helen Whittaker, Suzanne & Ralph Kesteven, Elizabeth Dockry, Jane Mortimer, Catherine Cooper, Helen Whitakker, Jane & Jessica Deane, Carrie Breen & Karen Henderson.

1st February 2014 - Race Night

Embrace Childcare Limited, run by Tracy Monaghan, a good friend of ours, and Jude & Leo's old pre-school Manager very kindly hosted a "Night of Games" on Sat 1st Feb. All proceeds came to Leo's Beads of Courage. £1000!! Thanks so much Tracy, Angela Crawford and everyone else helping origanise the night, everyone who donated raffle prizes & everyone who has bought tickets! It was an amazing night, one to remember!

9th March 2014 - Trafford 10K

The 1st 10K of the year. The Trafford 10K, it was my 1st ever 10K last year! Completing with me were Phil Fleetwood, Kellie Holden, Joanne Ready, & Helen Legerton 

23rd March 2014 - Wilmslow Half Marathon

Victoria Doherty & Suzanne Esplin have participated in the Wilmslow Half Marathon. In the wind, hail, & rain! Thank you girls. 

* 30/03/14 - Cheshire 10k

Phil along with Helen Legerton & Suzanne Kesteven. Ran in the Cheshire 10k.

* 06/04/14 - Manchester Marathon Relay Team.

Myself, Kellie Holden, Joanne Ready & Suzanne Kesteven participated in the Manchester Marathon in a relay team   "Linking up for Leo". Thanks so much girls....

* 06/04/14 - Manchester Marathon.

My lovely sister-in-law Victoria has completed her 1st marathon. Well done Victoria. So PROUD of you!!!

* 11/05/14 - Wilmslow Triathlon

Michelle Webb has participated in the Wilmslow Triathlon. The event started with a 400m pool swim, followed by 24.2km cycle & then a 6.3k run. Thanks Michelle

* 18/05/14 - Bupa Manchester 10k

Belinda Ettles has done her 1st ever 10k run.  Thanks Belinda.

* 31/05/14 - Abersoch 10k

Phil & I ran the Abersoch 10k. It was very hilly!!!

* 08/06/14 - Wiggle Dragon Ride Gran Fondo 222km

Mike Turner, the dad of one of Leo's friends at school has participated in the Wiggle Dragon ride in Port Talbot, South Wales. The "Gran Fondo" was a 222km ride will take in approximately 2905m of climbing, passing through the Brecon Beakons. Phew! Thanks Mike

* 29/06/14 - Cholmondley CastleTriathlon

Myself and the following ladies participated in the Triathlon at Cholmondley Castle! eeek. It consisted of 400 metre open water swim, followed by 22k bike ride & rounded off with a 4k run! Why oh why oh why... Suzanne Kesteven, Joanne Ready, Karen Child, Helen Seppanen, Helen Legerton, Michelle Webb.

*29/06/14 - Great Manchester Cycle

Kelly Gildea, a mummy from Huey's playgroup along with her brother Andrew Wharmby have cycled 52 miles in the Great Manchester cycle. Thanks Kelly & Andrew!

 * 06/09/14 - Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge

Phil Fleetwood & I participated in the 3 peak challenge. A very tough challange but we did it in 11 hours 30 minutes. 25 miles cross country including Pen-y-Ghent (694m), Whernside (736m) and Ingleborough (723m)

* 28/09/14 - Cheshire Cycletta 80km

Joanne Ready & I have participated in the Cheshire Cycletta. What should have been an 80k ride was actually 85 but we survived & enjoyed it! 

* October 2014 **Sober October**

31 days of Sobriety. Rebecca Goulden raised a massive £350.  Thanks Rebecca!

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And in 2013 here's what we did to raise over £10000

*I have run the Trafford 10k run on Sunday 10th March 13. (My first ever 10k run).

 *My friend Claire Gwyer ran the Wilmslow half marathon on Sunday 24th March 13.

* My friend Amy Mather has run the Wakefield 10k on Sunday 14th April 13.

*Leo's best friend Harry Cooper's dad Rich Cooper has run the Manchester MARATHON!!!!! On 28th April 13...

*Leo & Jude's school, St Marys has held an own clothes day at school on 3rd May.

*My sister Kellies parents-in-law, Joan & Keith Holden have very kindly hosted a dinner party for their friends on 4th May.  Their friends have made a monetary contribution to the meal & the profits will come to this cause!  Thanks so much Joan & Keith.

 *Myself, & the following ladies have participated in the  Cheshire Cycletta on 12th May 13. This was a ladies only cycle around the Tatton Park area with distances of either 25k, 37k or 55k. (sorebum.com)  Karen Child , Helen Seppanen, Jo Stratford-Smith, Michelle Webb, Amy Mather, Jill Eaton, Louisa Bagnall, Louise Jamieson, Gail Marston, Amanda Hall, Victoria Doherty, Helen Dennison, Elizabeth Sutton, Lou Roper, Diane Roper 

*My sister Kellie Holden & I ran the Bupa Great Manchester 10k run on 26th May 13.

*Cole Brown (6 years old), Kerrys son & Victorias nephew, has ran the mini Bupa run (1.5k) on 27th May 13. Well done Cole!

*My cousin Anne Doherty has held a !wear your own clothes" day at work & the proceeds have come to this cause.

*My local Slimming World Group (thank you Helen Whittaker & ladies/gents) have raised over £1250 for Leo's Beads Of Courage by holding a 6 week slim-a-thon between 25th Feb & 7th April. 

 * Peter McIlhagger, Phil Stratford Smith, Rob Willert,Anthony Guy & Seamus Grundy (some of the dads from Leo's school, St Marys) have cycled across England from Hornsea to Southport between 14th & 16th June 2013. They rode the transpennine trail which is 200+ miles.  And Peter has kindly arranged for his donations (up to £500) to be matched by his firm! Amazing!

*Phil & Sammpa Seppanen have cycled from Manchester to Chester on Sunday 23rd June. 53 mile trip in torrential rain & winds!

* I took part in the Great Manchester cycle on 30th June. Cycled 26 miles!

* Leo's friend from school, Yara, along with her mum Sumer & sisters, Lana & Avan, completed the Tatton Park race for life on 30th June!

* Myself, Gaynor Southan, Helen Legerton, Joanne Ready & Suzanne Kesteven have run the "We Love Manchester" 10K on Sunday 14th July.

* I have ran the Salford 10k on Sunday 8th September. Joining me are Kellie Holden, Suzanne Kesteven, Joanne Ready, Helen Legerton, & Amy Mather!

* Louisa & John Leicester very kindly purchased BCCA gold ribbons as their wedding favours.

* My friend Michelle Webb has participated in the South Manchester Triathlon on 22nd September! Thanks so much Michelle! The challenge was 400m swim, a 23km cycle followed by a 6.5km run! 2 words...WONDER WOMAN!!

 

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There will be lots of other events I'm sure, as so many people have asked how they can help Leo, or what they can do to help. 

I will update this page with other events when I know, and in the meantime if you would like to just donate, thats great OR you could do your own thing to help us raise money & use this just giving page!!!! If you let me know I can update this page with what we are all doing for this wonderful cause.....

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 and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.