The 2nd Basemen go International

Only Dusty could carry this off!

I will be running for Breakthrough Breast Cancer in this year's London Marathon. However in honour of a prolific fundrasier and breast cancer advocate in the USA I am calling my run Dusty's Dash. Dusty Showers from Florida works constantly to improve the lives of those touched by breast cancer in the USA. The big man is an inspiration (Even in a pink cowboy hat and chaps!) So if I can run a bit to remind peeps that breast cancer is international then so be it! There is s link to Dusty's site on the right under the photo. If you are in the USA and Boston (ish) the launch of his charity (as we call them here " Not for profit over there) book a place at the launch evening on Jan 28th. Details on the site. Meet the man, meet the team, I'll write a letter that I hope Dusty will have time to read out. Keep it pink people, be aware and touch look check!

London Marathon 2012

After a break from blogging, running and to be honest most things even slightly pinkish I am out training again, this time for the 2012 London Marathon. This blog will be updated soon so please subscribe or pop back.

Good Bye To Brave Hayley

Early on Wednesday morning, the 31^st of August 2011, I had a phone call from Lee Mitchell. Lee is the loving and very supportive husband of Hayley. His news was devastating. Hayley had died less than two hours before. Sarah and I had seen Hayley four weeks earlier and she was poorly but high spirited and looking forward to new treatments for her on-going battle against breast cancer.

Sarah and I had become good friends with Hayley and Lee via social media and a joint hatred of the disease. Sarah is a survivor and had been through the treatments, me a supporter of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, a leading charity fighting to see a world free of the fear of breast cancer I am someone who shouts a lot about it, runs a bit and organises the odd event to raise funds.

For two years Hayley had bravely fought the disease, giving me and Sarah some moments that we will never forget. One was during dinner at their house last year. Hayley was sat there, no hair, Sarah with her's just growing back. Hayley had a hot flush boosted somewhat by the chemo. She got up rinsed a flannel under cold water and unceremoniously plonked it on her bald head then sat down with the new flat hat dribbling water on her face and carried on as if nothing had happened. Another I would like to mention was last October. I had arranged a 70s concert at the Chatham Central Theatre to raise money for Breakthrough. My band MUD2 (I used to work with the great Les Gray) The Rubettes featuring Alan Williams and the rather brilliant Too Rex. Original MUD guitarist Rob Davis turned up unannounced to me and as a surprise to everyone in the crowd, let alone Sarah who almost wet herself when he walked out! Hayley was in a wheelchair at this time and really unable to stand much, let alone walk. It came to the end of our set and as we kicked off Tigerfeet she pulled herself out of her chair and danced with Sarah at the front row. I can remember her broad smiling face as she defied any pain, any suffering or any hardship to have a good time even if only for a four minute song. Every time we play the song now at home or overseas I will remember Hayley's face and enjoyment as she laughed in the face of the disease that would eventually take her young life.

Hayley Mitchell made an impression on my life. The way I view things, the way I will continue to do what I can to fight breast cancer. I have the uppermost respect for Lee. He showed strength, understanding and an amazing bond with Hayley, his wife of only a couple of years. They talked as if she had a bit of a cold, never complaining or blaming, just getting on with it!

Friday September the 9^th Hayley made her final mile on this planet. I was there to support and comfort Lee as much as I could. I know Sarah found it hard. No age is a good age to be taken by cancer but 27 is no age at all.

The chapel at Kettering Crematorium was packed. People stood in the aisle and many were left outside. I had the opportunity to say a few words and was so proud to do so.

What ever your thoughts, religion, or faith Hayley is in no further pain. This very brave young lady whom I only knew for less than three years, made such an impact on my life and that of many other people. Then I think, this was one funeral in 12,000 this year as a direct link to breast cancer. 12,000 packed chapels, 12,000 families, countless thousand broken hearts.

Please be breast aware, please check, please look at all of the various websites dealing with breast cancer before you or a loved one is diagnosed. ANY doubts see your GP and do not be afraid to seek a second opinion from your local breast clinic or other GP.

47,000 women and 300 men will be diagnosed in the next twelve months. Treatments are improving but by far the best weapon is early detection.

As for me, I promise, in Hayley's name, to keep fighting this terrible disease in any way I can.

Hayley Mitchell

I will be writing a piece about Hayley this weekend. Please drop by. Her funeral was really well attended and a great send off for such a young brave girl.

Good Bye Hayley

Hayley died peacefully in the early hours of Wednesday 31st of August.. I can't think of any other way to word it. 
Any card still on it's way for Hayley's Post Bag will be passed on to her husband Lee.
I will be writing a blog in a couple of of days but please send as much love to Lee and Hayley's family as you can muster.
Thank you for supporting Hayley's Post Bag the response was amazing.


Hayley's funeral will be on Friday September 9th at 10:30
Kettering Crematorium East Lodge, Rothwell Road, Kettering, NN16 8XE
Hayley had made a request that no flowers are sent but a donation instead to Cransley Hospice. Hayley had nothing but praise about the services she received from the staff at Cransley. You can donate via their website. http://www.cransleyhospice.org.uk/

Hayley's Postbag

Sarah and Hayley during one of her many treatment stages

I really hate cancer! Being so close to it doing "what I do" I read about it every day, talk about it every day and I even have Google Alerts send me info. I know numbers about breast cancer, I know stats, improvements in treatments, sciences and get involved in the politics. I have proudly spoken on TV, radio news programs, phone ins and even had my mug on giant billboards. I have won awards,  and even been short listed to carry the Olympic Flame! I write emails, phone people, help out at fund raising events, arrange them too sometimes. This year, as you all know, I ran the London Marathon for Breakthrough Breast Cancer. For the last mile I carried a flag. This was dedicated to a special person. It was Hayley's Flag, Hayley's Mile.
At the end of all this activity was and still is,  real people and sometimes I forget. I am  so dug in with the "stuff" mentioned above, I just carry on regardless!
Well, I need your help! The flag was to help me on my last mile.  Hayley Mitchell is a true fighter and when I found it tough to go out and train I thought of her with her battles with breast cancer and secondary cancers (YES cancer"S") and I made it out to train in the rain, snow and fog.
Hayley, at only 27,  is now very very poorly indeed. Unable to eat properly and no strength to walk. She doesn't have the strength to go on line, text and only occasionally can make a phone call.

Hayley's Mile flag

I would love it for you all to help me cheer her up. Please SEND CARDS! Loads of them. Ask friends to send them, make your own if you like (Just like Aunty Pat!)
Send them to

Hayley's Post Bag
27 Chevening Close
Walderslade
CHATHAM
Kent ME5 7PZ
United Kingdom

I will then take her a nice full post bag!
Please forward the link for this page to anyone.

The flag setting off down the Embankment. A mile to go!

Cards are coming in already from the UK, USA and Australia. Let's trend this folks. On Twitter #hayleyspostbag 
If you are a company please spread this blog's link on your Intranet system, a radio or TV presenter please give this a mention, post this link on your Facebook pages and Twitters, a news paper, please spare a column inch or two!  This will go big! Not only letting people know how tough the battle against breast cancer can be, but may also raise awareness about this terrible disease.
Please give electronics a rest for a minute and post a card. You only need to find a pen and stamp, remember them?
Thank you so very much.
Phil.

Bruce and Alvin

It's been a while!
This blog will be brief as I need to get my fingers and brain together before any serious writing gets under way.
In September I have the Run to The Beat half Marathon so training is on the up again for that. People wanting to join in on the 1974 fancy dress cheering point stay tuned on here and my Facebook page.
A lot has happened since I hobbled my way down the last few miles of the London Marathon.

Hayley meeting the Rubettes at our fundraiser last October

Firstly and above all is our friend Hayley. (Remember Hayley's Mile?) She is bravely battling on and our love goes to her, Lee and the family. We paid her a visit on Monday and she is poorly. Seeing such a young girl go through what she is going through almost made me quit! I felt lost, I couldn't do any more, I was a mess. But her spirits are high and after talking to Sarah and my dear friend Anna Wallace, I am staying put! I can't say much more on the subject, it is too upsetting. This is the reason I will be keeping it pink, fighting on where I can and doing what I can. Love you Hayley. FIGHT sweetheart FIGHT!

The Vodafone World of Difference program was a mixed bag. We got tons of awareness out there. I even got my mug on two giant bill boards in Rochester! (No one was reported to have crashed at the sight of a bloke in a pink T-Shirt and drum sticks!) Trying to get people to sign up to Project 350 was really hard and we have put it on the back burner. Anna and Becky at Breakthrough were pleased with the awareness side and were lovely, even though I had felt so negative about the final outcome. Still we battle on. I got to meet The Mayor of Rochester for a photo call by one of the posters. I did have a number of calls though "Was THAT you on a poster in Rochester?"

Very proud!

Congratulations to Sarah for running the entire way on her Race for Life in Hyde Park London. 2009 diagnosed with breast cancer, operation, chemo, radiotherapy, further medication and then runs 5k in 2011! Thanks to the ever helpful Mike Baron for the training plan. We had some great runs out at Leybourne Lakes until Sarah picked up an injury (Making her a proper runner!!) This meant she had to ease off in the final weeks to the event. With grit and proud determination with some very important names on her back she made it round in the rain and running all the way .Well done Dinky we are all so very proud of you, just as Kevin would have been.

Me and Eddie
Who better to share a medal with?

The week after I completed the Marathon I returned to London to walk with and help former stuntman Eddie Kidd. His trip was well documented in the press but still, well done mate. Great job.






I will be back in the lakes this week training for my first mini triathlon. It's madness. On the subject of sports, many congratulations to Mark Cavendish for winning the Green Jersey in this year's Tour De France. Great job to him and the HTC Highroad Team.


Thanks to everyone at the Dancing Dog Saloon for supporting a little Breakthrough Fundraiser this weekend. Photos soon.  It pulled in £180. Great job thank you.


We are moving in a few weeks and I will be starting a drum school. So anyone in or near Medway looking at starting or continuing drum lessons please get in touch.



We have two new additions to the household. Alvin and Bruce. We were informed that they were ginger Toms to find out on the first visit to the vet for their jabs that they are both girls! They are as mad as hatters and great fun. Bruce is now Brucie and Alvin is Alvin as it's originally a girl's name. (Don't tell Mr Stardust!)  Her name is a long story!!  I have taken loads of photos and entered one of Alvin for a competition. The picture is below. Please click on her photo to  cast your vote It will make her day (and ours) if she wins. I will keep you updated on breakages and the fact that cat do not have 9 lives they have well over two hundred! Bruce fell 7 foot from the top stair rail on to a wooden floor only to be jumped on by Alvin! No sympathy or mercy given!

If everyone who reads this votes for me I'll get fed!

This is the photo of Alvin in the competition! There are many more photos on Facebook. Feel free to have a look at Alvin & Brucie's Album! I hope to get back to the blogging at a more regular basis. In the meantime please have a moment to think about Hayley. She is deeply in our thoughts and prayers (Even though I do feel god is an ostrich with his head in the sand at the moment!)      


Please CLICK HERE to vote


See you all again soon. 
Phil