TREATS FOR TROOPS

Taking part in the Opening Ceremony of the London Olympics was a total blast. Drumming my way through the industrial revolution and then mixing it up with the world's top athletes as a marshal is an experience never to be repeated. My main group (51) are lucky enough to have a place as marshals in the closing ceremony too. It is going to be one hell of a show. We have seen bits during rehearsals.
We have been in and out of the stadium grounds in Stratford for some weeks now and one thing has been more consistent than anything. Our military. They have been taking care of security but above all our safety. Most of these ladies and gentlemen have only recently returned from active duty. Many have had leave cancelled and some will be off overseas again as soon as the games are over. They have always been there with a smile, even in the rain, always polite and totally professional.
I would love it if we could make this coming Sunday, the day of the closing ceremony, "Treats for Troops Day!" If you are lucky enough to be going into the Olympic Park on Sunday, drop off a bar of chocolate or packet of sweets. Mind you any treat would go down well (But don't get Pringles.... in joke!) Don't worry if you are there on Saturday or Friday there are no rules to this, feel free to drop something off early!! I am sure they won't complain.
Our armed forces have been a credit to us during the games and we should be proud of them.
Twitter #treatsfortroops or share this post on Facebook. Please spread the word

To Boston or Bust!



Friday 27^th of January the Virgin Atlantic Airbus A340 (the long pencil shaped ones that bend in the middle) started it's take off run along London Heathrow's runway 27L. Sarah was next to me, Radley was wearing a woolly hat all tucked up snug in the hold. This was it. Game on! We were all heading to Logan Airport in Boston Massachusetts in the good ol' U.S of A. for three nights. Why? Good question! Sounds mad, but sometimes things like this are totally worth it.

 

Windsor Castle.
(Shame they built it under a flight path!)

  

Regular readers of my wafflings will have heard me talk about Dusty Showers, a passionate advocate of breast cancer issues in the states, a prolific fundraiser and all round good egg! Dusty, living in Florida, had formed a “movement” for want of a better word, called The 2^nd Basemen. Well, as of last week The 2^nd Basemen became an official not for profit. What we would generally refer to as a charity. Anyone remotely close to the forming of a charity, in any country, will appreciate the, understandable, scrutiny and miles of red tape needed to go through prior to getting a number. Well, Dusty along with Mara Gorden from Boston Massachusetts have done it! They were to have a launch party in Needham MA, and I wasn't going to miss that for the world. Dusty and I had grown our friendship via social media and a joint hatred for breast cancer. I was doing my “bit” over here and he was campaigning away over there, albeit in far nicer weather! I had been in contact with Mara to make it a surprise. We had been counting down “the sleeps” like a couple of school kids.



Well....... why not!

 



 We arrived on the Boston runway, seven hours later, with a thump! I am a fairly regular flier and I can assure you, this was a thump! Still we had arrived and any landing you walk away from........

Straight to the car hire company where we collected a bright red Ford Focus and a GPS. Oh well here we go, Sarah took up her position as first officer sorting out the Sat Nav (I'm rubbish at tech stuff) and she gave the pleasing news that the hotel was 28 minutes away. JOY! Off we went straight through a red light! They hang them up in the air over the road without lines on the road (At the airport at least) Still, I buried the “gas pedal” (Well I was in the States) in true Brit abroad style and cleared the road. Then the fun started. It was dark, it was raining, it was busy, I was driving on the right (on purpose) in car with less than a thousand miles on the clock and a SAT NAV voice jabbering on like a horse racing commentator! Take ramp left! Take ramp right! Make yer mind up! Then we went into the longest tunnel ever and lost signal. Popped out the other end to find out I was heading back to Chatham. “Re calculating” she said with a smirk. Take ramp left!” Only used to leaving motorways on the right, this screwed me up yet again “Re calculating.” she said with an “I have a limy in the damn car” tone developing in her voice.

Then we were on the wrong Interstate, then came off too early. She was having a laugh with me, I tell you. Still our 28 minute journey took an interesting hour and a half and I didn't have a single paddy. I was captain calm. The drivers over there were amazing. They let you in, and out, don't tail gate you and not a horn to be heard.

The hotel was lovely. We had just over an hour before Mara was due to bring an unsuspecting Dusty in for the meet and greet.



Boston! Me, Sarah, Radly, Dusty
and 2ndBasemen Co-Founder Mara Gorden



I have tons of respect for Dusty. He never tires of his work for breast cancer awareness and has made quite a name for himself. He went onto the Oprah Winfrey Show last year and has done many other TV and radio programmes. He is, though, quick to divert the attention away from himself and on to the issues.  My phone beeped the arrival of a text, it was from Mara, “We're here!” I was feeling like I was about to meet Frank Sinatra! He walked in, tall, wearing a white cowboy hat with pink trim and a smiling Mara by his side. I stood up from my seat and walked over to him “Hello Cowboy!” I said and he was speechless. He was amazed to see us and had absolutely no idea that we were there. Yes ok, Man Hug happened. We sat down and talked about all kinds of stuff. Dusty is instantly likeable, with a warm trusting personality. A true gentleman.

After a couple of hours chatting, we agreed a time to meet up the next day before the launch party and they left.



 The Saturday Sarah and I went for a nose about the local area and the time flew by. We were picked up and went to the party. This was at the very nice home of David and Karen Miller. I said a hello and spoke a little about breast cancer in the UK and thanked everyone there for supporting the event. Mara introduced a video. This was a short film showing the work that The 2^nd Basemen does and also showed photos of survivors and people not so lucky. A photo of Sarah came up unexpectedly and made us realise how lucky we are to have people doing everything they can to beat this disease from Dusty going on telly in a pink bra to the fantastic work Breakthrough Breast Cancer carries out.



 After the video Dusty thanked the people there and he was very sincere.

 We all went to another room and mingled. Radley said hello to a few people and before we could check the clock the evening was over.



Just one reason to go back to Boston
YUMM!!



I would like to thank everyone who was there supporting The 2^nd Basemen and for making Sarah and I so very welcome.

This blog is running it's time so I won't say much about our sight-seeing trip to down town Boston.

Thank you, though, for staying with me over the past few months it has been tough to get going but I will have details on the next blog about my new Breast Cancer Podcast, the training for it and other bits and bobs. The odd picture from our fantastic visit to Boston and tons more.

See you soon.

Surprise Surprise

Flew to Boston MA for the weekend to surprise my dear friend and breast cancer advocate Dusty Showers as he officially launched The 2nd Basemen. Sarah and I had a great weekend, Radley came along too. Dusty was lost for words ("For once" so I was told!) We were made really welcome and met some amazing people. Boston is simply fantastic. We did the tourist bit (Cheers Bar, Parks and so on.) Three days was too short. have started the blog but still jet-lagged to bits! Hope to be done soon. Meanwhile here's a picture of with tired eyes after the trip there, and Dusty.

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.