Story
22nd April 2008. Mike finally lost his battle with CFA at 05.30 this morning. Ollie, Sarah Jane and I were with him and it was so peaceful. What a wonderful character, how we will miss him.
A service of celebration for Mike will take place at 4.00pm on Tuesday 6th May at Weymouth Crematorium.
19th April 2008. Mike has reached another milestone - my birthday. The video is him singing at my party last week, it works if you click 'View full size'. He hasn't been out of bed since then unfortunately.
3rd April 2008. I'm finally able to update this page after long lasting techno problems. Mike has now succeeded in reaching his 61st birthday, and our 29th wedding anniversary! Thanks to KEVIN AND DEBBIE for wonderful off line donation.
3rd January 2008. We would like to wish Iain Solly a long, happy and healthy retirement and say "Thank you so much for your marvellous, generous action in donating your retirement collection." Perhaps I need a new target?
31st December 2007. Still donating beer, the last one this year! Many thanks to the Purbeck Local Office for their most valuable contribution of £17. With several promises of donations to come, it looks like we might just make £3000 in 2008 - still can't believe it.
21st December. A huge thank you to everyone who has brought us this far, but an even BIGGER THANK YOU to everyone at the Weymouth Local Office who have donated a virtual pub! We feel truly humbled by the response.
14th December. I've had an email from Ian Jarrold, Research Manager for BLF - a research fellowship has been awarded to Dr Chris Scotton at UCL, who will be looking at the role of blood clotting factors in fibrosis, leading to the development of novel therapeutic approaches to treatment. Email me for more details.
12th December. WE'VE DONE IT! Our target has been smashed, thanks to the fabulous donation of a virtual brewery from DCC Bridport Local Office - we can't thank you enough for your amazing contribution - £237.56p.
Another HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who has helped to make this Mike's best Christmas present ever - and as you know he is SO difficult to buy for!
7th December. Mike had a very enjoyable, if somewhat surreal virtual trip to a beer festival with Eric - he really enjoyed himself, Eric says. Next he's taking him on a virtual male bonding trip to Munich, to try their beer!
5th December. See Grampa boogie on down with his elves!!! http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1177671060 Its the funniest Christmas thing I've seen, and easy to do for yourself.
1st December. Thanks to the Echo for publicity feature, you can read the full article here: http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/display.var.1873957.0.buy_me_a_virtual_pint.php
26th November. I have had an email this morning from the BLF, thanking us for this and telling me of plans to fund research into fibrosing lung disease next year. Mike is THRILLED and even more proud that every penny really will help to bring us a step closer to better understanding and treatment of the disease.
23rd November WOW! So far you have managed to help us raise £1000.00 for the British Lung Foundation - in just short of a week!!!! Mike and I are amazed, proud and very, very moved by this marvellous response. Thanks yet again to every one of you. As the reponse was so fantastic, and this is such a valuable cause, dare I let it run for a while? I might even raise the target! I did!
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20th November WESSEX FM Thank you for the extra publicity.
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19th November £500 target reached in 3 days!
Well I'm obviously rubbish at target setting! You'd think I'd had enough practice in my job. We are overwhelmed and very moved by the support we have had already, we've only been 'live' since Friday evening. Thanks again everyone - and Cheers!
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16th November
This year Mike and I have decided not to buy any Christmas cards, and only to give Christmas presents to our immediate lovely jubbly family – we couldn’t deprive ourselves of that pleasure! We are giving the rest of the money we would have spent to the British Lung Foundation (BLF).
The BLF is the only UK charity supporting people who, like us, are affected by lung disease. We know how lucky WE are to have won the NHS lottery, the care and support we get is outstanding, but it is not the same in all areas. The BLF also funds World class research projects. There are currently no UK research projects into treatment for Cryptogenic Fibrosing Alveolitis - CFA, (also known as Ideopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, or IPF) - the terrible disease Mike has, so we hope our small donation will enable funds to be released to help find a way to stop the progress of the disease once it is diagnosed.
You know how Mike loves a project? (and a pint of Stella!) Well you can help to make this one of his most satisfying ever! He is very, very determined to celebrate Christmas this year – if you have ever enjoyed a drink with him, perhaps you could donate the price of a pint! Or the price of our card and its stamp, or add another present on to the bottom of your list. Every donation, however small will help us towards our target, and give Mike enormous satisfaction.
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year!
Liz and Mike xx
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support us: British Lung Foundation will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.
Many thanks for your support.
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Sign the British Lung Foundation Charter, calling for better diagnosis,
treatment and care for people affected by lung disease, by visiting
http://campaign.publicaffairsbriefing.co.uk/petition.aspx?cid=a8220fae-ce91-49f1-a9d8-97bf227a57b9
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