I had always wanted to travel to
Africa and in particularly Kenya, so I was delighted when Macmillan offered me a
chance to climb Mount Kenya during the following autumn. There was one major obstacle in the way, I
had to obtain permission to take a week off school. This involved asking the
head teacher and the governing body. They were in fact very supportive and
allowed me to take the time off without pay. The head teacher even arranged a
special fund raising breakfast for the children. She had been fighting breast cancer for some
years and was well aware of Macmillan’s fantastic services.
Although I had exhausted my
supply of friends willing to sponsor me, they were in fact very happy to be
invited to any events they I arranged. In
the summer we had the first of our fabulous BBQ’s in our garden. It was incredibly exciting and I had by now
loads of ideas on fund raising, many of my friends and neighbours came and
there was a great atmosphere. Some of my work colleagues brought their families,
everyone had an amazing time; and children were on the trampling bouncing
merrily until eleven o'clock. Carnivals
were a brilliant way to fund raise and to promote Macmillan Cancer Relief at
the same time. I would book a stall, then ask for tombola items and vouchers
for days out at local tourist attractions. Everyone was very generous and along
with smaller items that I would buy from “cash and carry” we were able to put
on three or four carnivals during the summer.
It was always good to meet local
people at these events and they would often tell you their stories, praising
Macmillan for the fantastic help that they had offered in their time of need.
It was good to be part of something special and to be able to raise around
three thousand pounds a year for them.
The year passed quickly, the
winter faded to spring and finally summer brought its sunshine and long gentle
evenings. My trips into the forest became longer and easier and I enjoyed 10
mile walks with my rambling friends at weekends.
