Charity and Sponsorship
Lots of people have asked me if I'm being sponsored to do this, or if I'm doing it for charity in some way. The simple answer is no, I'm not. I'm doing it because I want to do it! There are so many worthwhile charities out there that do some amazing work to help people, and they need donations because the people they help are suffering. If you want to give money to charity, please do it for that reason and not because I'm walking the length of a country. I have nothing against people who do raise money for charity via sponsorship, it's always good for them to get donations, but I don't personally like the idea that someone is happy to help others because someone else is performing a feat of endurance, or shaving their head etc, but they won't just give the money because the people suffering need it.
If what I'm doing makes you want to give money to charity, go for it! But don't do it in my name, do it because people are suffering and they need all the help we can afford.
Some charities that mean a lot to me are The Multiple Sclerosis Society, Cancer Research and Macmillan Cancer Support.
If what I'm doing makes you want to give money to charity, go for it! But don't do it in my name, do it because people are suffering and they need all the help we can afford.
Some charities that mean a lot to me are The Multiple Sclerosis Society, Cancer Research and Macmillan Cancer Support.
Thanks
There are so many people to list and say thank you to! Thank you to my Grandma, Olive Saxton, who recently passed away after a fight with cancer. You have always been an inspiration to me and you've always shown me how to be happy and how to be at peace. Thank you to my Grandpa, Ken Saxton for being so strong, I hope you can keep up with my journey, it will mean a lot on the hillsides to know you're following. Thank you to my Granny and Grandad, Elizabeth and Peter, for all the love and support, the stories and the jam tarts! A big thank you to my Mum, the way you've coped with your MS my whole life continues to show me a new meaning to the words 'chin up' every day. Thank you to my Dad for being the greatest role model any boy could ever have. They say you grow up to become your parents, and if I become even half the people my parents are, I know I'll have done well as a person. A huge thank you to my sister, Jay, the best sister ever! I owe her my smile and my sense of humour. I know you'll be following my progress more than anyone and that really means a lot, thank you for everything Jay. Thank you to my Aunty and Uncle, Anne and Roy, you're so different from each other, yet there's so much to be learned from both of you. Thank you to Uncle Phil and Aunty June, you were always the young, cool relatives! Thank you to Cousin Rebecca! Your smile and boundless energy reminds me how great it is to be full of happiness. When I come back I want you to be big enough to climb that tree! Thank you to my friends; Lisa (one love honey), Paul (you've been a great inspiration man, I wouldn't be going at all if it weren't for you), Novis, Mr Steer (I'm taking the rum games to other side of the world!), Yahla and Robin (congratulations on the wedding, so sorry I won't be there), Ayla my wee cave girl, Clare and Emily (Clemily), Seiko (takusan no ai wo komete) and Martin, Nish, Fie, Musket, Ryan, Emma, Louise, Shosh (good luck with the Elderflower Co), Joe, Dan (thanks for the tattoo at Regal Ink), Kat and Rob, Sam (we never did explore the glories of tea!), Timmy! Verity, Karen (get back there and walk the rest of the PCT!), Tom my brother in arms and Bethan, Adam (ello Dave), Anna, Ben the Silent Mountain, Charles, Mr Fitz and Nin (congratulations on the wedding, another couple I'm so sorry I won't be to see become one), Chris (keep up the search for peace), Cyrus (there's only one C-Dawg!), Chezzi and Lucy, Lizzie the special nurse :-p, The Hutchins and the Thorpes (I've known you all my whole life, and hopefully for the rest of it!), Liz and Kelly (I'm sorry I never came back, it's been my greatest loss ever since), Maz, Nobu (and Maia), Rachel (thank you for being you, the kind of person you meet once in a lifetime), Ruthy and Aaron, Suzy, Simon (aka Travis Bickle). Everyone at the different Tai Chi classes; Eleana, Serena, Mireille, Ali and Abbi (thanks for all the great hospitality in your home), Clare, Tom, Toby, Reese, Barney, Anna-Marie (thanks for Nothing But Tea), Merlin, Brian, Chris, Dana. Thank you to Bruce Frantzis for holding my left hand and pulsing & spiralling my right lung, without you I wouldn't be able to breathe as well as I do now. Thank you to everyone at the Shin Jin Dojo in Brighton, to Johnny, Grant and Clare, Mandy, Jeff, Adam, Clay, and of course Sensei Stuart Allison and the new family. Gambatte all of you! I have much to practice in the hills myself! And a huge thanks to everyone at The Compasses Pub in Tunbridge Wells, whilst working there it's become my home away from home and I would never have expected to meet so many different kinds of wonderful people who share the same love of one building and it's services! Arnie and Mandy, you've both been an inspiration and I'd be a different person now if I'd gone on this journey without meeting you both. JJ, thank you for giving me a chance and teaching me the ropes (watch out for Slobba), Sam, Pete, Harriet and rest of the Compasses crew. Thank you for the words of support and offers of email address and phone numbers actual address of family and friends (and daughters!) in New Zealand, and all the encouragement from everyone else; From Dr Danny Moon (Astronomy PhD), Rachel, Fergus, Simon and Chrissy, James and Valesca (and Sophie and Maya), Phil and Miranda (and Narla!) Mikey, Pete, Mike, Gordon, Jason, Scott, Les, Glen, Martin and the family, Lord and Lady Champion (and Amber), Bill, David, Jeff, Ed, Grace & Dan, Karen, Mr and Mrs Browning and the little ones (slap that hand on the bar!) and Jonathan and Jane. If I've missed anyone out I'm so sorry, I've been blessed to have known so many wonderful people, I've done my best to thank you all for the kindness and support, and the chance to have known you. Thank you!
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If you wish to leave a private message, use the form below. Your comments will be emailed to me and will not be shown on this web page. If you want to leave me a public message of support, please use the Blog page.