Ironman

When people think of fundraising, and the mad things that individuals do to raise money how often does the image of  a supporter sitting in a bathful of beans as a money raising idea spring to mind (and don't all say "never")?  It's that faithful image, helped by the famous Who album whose name escapes me, of a man, lying in a bathtub,  up to his neck in Heinz Baked Beans presumably being sponsored for his efforts.

Sadly, in my time at Grove House we've never had anyone actually do that for us, although I'm open to offers, and we'll rustle up plenty of publicity.  But nowadays we find people having to go way, way beyond that level of discomfort.  If only you could get away with a few hours lying on your back to raise money.  Just recently we've had the the amazing Men of Fields (or magnificent 7, as I  like to call them) cycling from St Albans to Sheepwash in Devon.  These chaps decided to cycle 270 miles down to the West Country, all off their own bat, with no suggestion from us.  It's a huge undertaking, and I know from experience, that long distance cycling is a nerve-wracking undertaking.  It looks fine on paper, but unless you 're a pro, you don't know how your body will fare, nor how feasible the route you have chosen will really be.  But these guys took it upon themselves to give it a go and have raised a phenomenal amount of money for us.  And why?  Some time ago a dear friend of theirs was diagnosed with a terminal illness.  Grove House had helped this friend during the course of his struggle and the boys had never forgotten it.  I have seen then bidding against themselves at Grove House charity auctions to move the money along, but this cycle ride has taken their support to new heights.  They have already raised £8000.  And talking of new heights I see we have a person, Paul Brecknell, scaling Mont Blanc for us. I haven't spoken to Paul yet to find out his reasons for the climb, but as he points out, one person a day dies on the mountain each day during the summer, so that is a highly motivated individual.

But that's what Grove House does to you.  The work here gets under your skin and you want to support it.  I also believe that as the fundraising director here I must do "my bit".  it's all very well me writing plans, budgets and strategies for bringing in donations to Grove House, but if I don't do something at a grass roots level myself, then how can I really understand the difficulties of real fundraising.  So each year I undertake a challenge.  This year I am attempting a long distance triathlon challenge  in Nottingham, known at The Outlaw.  The distances involved are eye-watering - the triathlon is known popularly as an "Ironman Challenge".  Those who know me will also know how inappropriate that word is for me.  But basically on August 8th I will get into a cold lake at 6 am and then swim for 2.4 miles (that's about 160 lengths of a standard sized swimming pool).  I'll get out and then get on my bike and cycle for 112 miles (the equivalent of cycling from St Albans to Birmingham), and as if that wasn't quite enough I will then get off the bike and run a full marathon (26.2miles).  It is a very long day and anything can happen over such a long distance.  The chances of finishing are so-so, but sadly this year I have picked up an injury with a month to go which will seriously jeopardise my chances of completing the marathon section.  I'm a bit depressed about it, as I have trained hard throughout the winter to get fit enough to even contemplate the Ironman.  But there is a chance that the injury may just clear up and my calf (for it is that all important muscle, crucial to a runner) may be strong enough to withstand the pounding of a full marathon.  Actually just writing those words makes me think that I'm being wildly optimistic, but hope is a funny thing, and at the moment it's what I'm relying on!  But, whatever happens, I'm genuinely proud to be able to even attempt this event and be counted along with the Men of Fields and the many others who go beyond the call of duty for us, and prouder still to be doing it for Grove House.  My discomfort is as nothing compared to what so many of our patients have to put up with every day of their lives.  And my pain will be over in a day or two.  Sadly, that is not the case for our patients, and for that reason I would do double the distance to raise money for this amazing organisation that tries so hard to make so many people's lives better.  If after reading this you feel you may want to sponsor me ebven if it is to make me suffer, then please go to my web page at http://www.justgiving.com/PaulParrish-Outlaw-Ironman 

I think you'll feel a better person if you do.