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We look at four amazing charity organizations and appeals, who are looking for your help to carry on with all the great work they are doing…
The Jane Tomlinson Appeal
Established by the late Jane Tomlinson, cancer charity The Jane Tomlinson Appeal, is bringing hope and comfort to cancer sufferers and their families across the UK and from all over the world.
Jane, a mother of three from Leeds, was diagnosed with incurable, advanced breast cancer in 2000 and was given six months to live. But against the odds, Jane battled through chemotherapy and drug treatments over a period of seven years, despite developing chronic heart disease. A true inspiration, Jane embarked on a series of sporting challenges to raise money for a wealth of charities – a seemingly impossible task for someone undergoing cancer treatment.
Jane’s fund-raising efforts included completing full Ironman (4km swim, 180k bike ride and full marathon), two half Ironmans, running the London Marathon three times and the New York Marathon once, taking part in three London trialathons and three long distance bike rides. She raised a staggering £31,850,000 for cancer charities and among her numerous awards, Jane was awarded an MBE and subsequently a CBE by the Queen.
In 2006, Jane’s final project focused on setting up The Leeds 10k ‘Run for All’ – the first event held in 2007, attracted 8,000 participants and raised over half a million pounds for charities and good causes. Jane sadly lost her battle with cancer and passed away in September 2007.
The family and friends of Jane are continuing all her amazing fund-raising efforts, and have set their sights on a £5 million target. In August this year, Jane’s family completed a 2,500 mile bike ride from Istanbul to Leeds, raising a total of £10,000. Joined by friends during the last 60 miles of the journey, the gruelling five-week bike ride saw Jane Tomlinson’s husband Mike, 49 and two of her children Rebecca, 22, and Steven, 13, cycle through an incredible ten countries.
So far, the funds raised by The Jane Tomlinson Appeal have totalled a extraordinary £2.6 million and have helped charities such as Cancer Research UK, Macmillan Cancer Support, Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, COCO, SPARKS, Martin House Children’s Hospice and Yorkshire Cancer Centre.
For more information or to make a donation to The Jane Tomlinson Appeal, just visit www.janetomlinsonappeal.com.
Evan’s Big Journey
The family of six-year old Evan Whitton who suffers from Cerebal Palsy, are looking to raise £45,000 for their young son’s life-changing surgery and physio treatment available only in the USA.
Evan was born prematurely at 30 weeks and due to complications, his lungs did not mature properly. After battling through a particularly difficult 24 hours after birth, Evan made it through and is described by his parents Andrew and Lynda as a wonderful child, full of wit and humour.
However, at only 14 months old, Evan was diagnosed with Cerebal Palsy – a condition that affects physical movement, posture and co-ordination. Currently, Evan can’t stand or walk without a walking frame and to keep his leg muscles as stretched as possible, he has to wear a twister brace – a belt around his waist with cables attached to the splints on his feet which keep his feet turned out the right way. Evan’s night-time splints also work to keep his feet at right angles, but he often wakes up in the night in distress and discomfort. Evan’s condition means that he can’t carry out many basic daily tasks, such as going to the toilet. However, this truly remarkable little boy has managed to keep a positive outlook on life with his bright, sunny disposition.
Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR), is carried out at St Louis Children’s Hospital in the USA, and it is the only surgical procedure that can provide permanent relief from Cerebal Palsy. Although the full benefits for Evan will depend on certain factors, the operation has allowed children to walk unaided.
To make a donation to Evan’s Big Journey, please visit evansbigjourney.webs.com.
Bunbury Cricket Club
Founded in 1987 by David English CBE, the world’s number one charity cricket team has been running for an impressive 23 years and has raised a total of £12 million so far. Bunbury’s is a cricket team with a difference – its members are made up of celebrities from the worlds of sport and showbiz to raise money for a whole host of charities. In fact, this year the club has helped organisations such as Leukaemia Research, Age Concern, Brain Tumour UK, WaterAid and many more. Celebrity cricketers in the past have included Gary Linekar, Eric Clapton and Phil Tufnell.
In an interview with The Telegraph, David English speaks of just how legendary Bunbury’s has become in the world of cricket, ‘In our very first match, in aid of Leukaemia Research and played in the pouring rain at Ripley, we had Phil Collins at wicketkeeper, Bill Wyman at first slip puffing his way through two packs of Bensons, Clapton in a plastic mac and Paddington Bear hat, Dennis Waterman holding court in the beer tent, David Essex entertaining the crowd on the boundary and Ringo wandering about without a clue what was going on. And strange to say, over 4,000 people paid to see us.’
For more information, fixtures or to get involved with Bunbury Cricket Club, just visit www.bunburycricket.com.
Self Unlimited
This charity organization provides a network of support services for people with learning disabilities across the UK to ensure that they can live their lives the way they want.
Self Unlimited work with local authorities and regulatory bodies to make sure that each person, no matter what their learning disability, can make informed choices and take as much control over their own life as possible. By forming relationships with organizations such as Housing Associations, Self Unlimited helps people choose where to live and assists them with everyday tasks such as cooking, shopping, handling money and getting out and about!
Helping people discover their true potential and focusing on the future is another key aim of Self Unlimited. The charity helps individuals plan what they want to do with their lives, and find a way to achieve their goals, dreams and ambitions. What’s more, members of staff form close relationships with people, offering fantastic support and a friendly face and assisting them with their personal needs around the clock.
To get involved with this wonderful charity who inspires confidence and independence in people with learning disabilities, just visit www.selfunlimited.co.uk for fundraising and volunteering opportunities.
Want more information? Find out how Self Unlimited can change lives by reading Katie’s story and learn all about Learning Disability Week.
Picture kindly from here
