Day 84 - 283 to go

I know I usually talk a load of tosh throughout my postings but I would like to talk about the sort of reason why I am doing this trek and fundraising.

Last week I went to see a friend who I hadn't seen for quite a few years.  I had contacted her via Facebook inviting her to come to the ceilidh and quickly got a reply back saying that she would love to come but wasn't sure she would be up for it as Friday 11 March 2011 would be her last session of chemo for breast cancer.  I was apalled that I had contacted her to attend to support a cause that she is keen to avoid experiencing herself.

And that is what has been so apparent to me throughout this journey so far, and that is the quiet dignity cancer sufferers show throughout their experience.

I am in awe of Diana, she really is an amazing lady, so full of optimism and positive thoughts that after visiting her I came away from her house feeling so much better about her condition.  And I think that is what cancer sufferers do, they make YOU feel better about THEIR illness and suffering.

So for whatever reason you are reading this, or attending the ceilidh or donating on line please be assured that you have done an amazing thing in donating and taking an interest.

I am uncomfortable with people telling me that its a 'great' thing I am doing with the trek and the fundraising because I TRULY do not feel that, I just feel that I am doing a small thing for a very big cause.

And I am extremely grateful for your involvement because I cant do it myself!

Stick with me throughout this journey.

Kind regards

Linda B xxx

Day 74 - Nothing's Gonna Stop us

Good evening Linda (well, I'm the only one who reads it!)


Well in all seriousness I NEVER realised how much work the actual fundraising would be.  It takes up every evening for hours at a time. 


I must have written about 75 very nice begging letters and only had responses from the following -

Tunnocks
The Rainbow Rooms, Uddingston
David Corbett Hairdressing, Bothwell
Pir Palace, Uddingston
M&S, Argyle St
Cricklewood hotel, Bothwell
Lewis's

Thank you so much, even for responding and regardless of whether you have offered anything for my raffle or not.


The most rudest 'man' (and I use the term 'very loosely') alive is the delight what is a male hairdresser who owns a shop on the Main St, Uddingston.  I know everyone has the right as to whether they donate or not but his response to Kenny was nothing short of rudeness to the extreme.


** Note to oneself**
Even if Daniel Craig asked me out to dinner and he was the only place open I wouldn't give him my hard earned cash!  Not a nice man at all!


Most other businesses in Uddingston and Bothwell have politely ignored me with a hotel in Bothwell being the most ardent at ignoring me.  After ringing 3 times (on three separate days) and being told that 'Ms Whatsherface' will ring you right back ......... I am still 'eagerly' awaiting that phone call - very unprofessional Ruth!!


I have written to  -

airlines,
the football clubs,
car dealerships,
local hotels (see above),
local restaurants,
city hotels,
city restaurants,
shopping centre managers,
chemists,
supermarkets,
hairdressing salons,
beauty salons,
takeaways,
garages,
biscuit factories,
cake makers,
butchers,
bakers,
health clubs,
my local MP,
packaging companies,
drinks distributors,
football centres,
insurance companies,
clothes retailers,
country hotels,
and so the list goes on.

I am pretty exhausted with it all to be honest with very little return.  You would rather get a 'no, sorry' letter than just be ignored.


But hey ho! onwards and upwards we go. 


Little Ken has been a wee gem running here there and everywhere with letters, and coercing folk into buying tickets for the ceilidh. 


It has been quite hysterical watching people you know very well  try to ignore you or not make eye contact rather than just say 'Linda, I wont make it to the ceilidh'.


Nicholas has also been great at selling tickets for me so thanks son. 


I do have some great raffle prizes though with the absolute best being a Man Utd home shirt signed by Sir Alex Ferguson.  I REALLY cant thank Lainseyisbanana enough for doing that for me.  Thank you.


We also have -

• a meal for two with wine,
• Wash, cut, blow dry and massage from the top stylists in Bothwell & Uddingston,
• 2 bottles of champagne,
• lots of bottles of wine,
• Indian meal for two,
• M&S bubbly things.

I have had quite a few donations of money to my
Justgiving-Linda.Beecroft.com account and I now have 16% of sponsorship money needed.

The Ceilidh ticket sales are picking up with around 80 tickets sold, still 4 weeks left so hopefully with sell a few more before the 11th March.


There is a need to keep in touch with the Macmillan manager who is supporting me and also the band - The Vinyl Countdown who are appearing at the Ceilidh.

They have been extraordinarily kind and I hope I can generate some business for them as a Thank you.


And training, well it hasn't been as good as I had hoped after doing so well on holiday but back to public transport next week so plenty of walking then!!


I had a wee home baking stall at work today and raised approx £68 so that has been logged in the Just Giving account.


As that multi national corner shop desecrater likes to say 'Every little helps'.

I am a wee bit weary and despondant with it all just now, so much time and effort for what seems like such little return.


But I KNOW the ceilidh is going to be a fab night and once I have stopped panicing about what food to buy and how much, I will enjoy it!


So that's me, spilled my guts. 

D'know, you have become my therapist!  I feel better now I have got it all out, no point worrying about the negatives I should just be grateful for the positives we have achieved to date.

Nothing's gonna stop up now.  (Name that tune?????)

Let them say we're crazy.
I don't care about that.
Put your hand in my hand, baby, don't ever look back.
Let the world around us just all apart.
Maybe we can make it if we're heart to heart.
And we can build this thing together, stand in stone forever,


Well I am off to watch Cougar Town - have you seen it?  IT IS SOOOOOOOOOO funny - not to be missed!

This is Linda B signing off.