Could you run an event for us?
Thinking of running an event? It can be very simple, it could be a challenge, and should be something which you enjoy doing.
The events that our supporters set up and run are many and varied, ranging from the imaginative to the straightforward to the frankly extreme!
To inspire you, we’ve included two stories below from people who have organised events: Gill and Chris Wood have hosted an imaginative and popular event for many years as a tribute to their son, Matthew; and Harry Tempest who has set himself some sporting challenges.
10th Anniversary of the Matt Wood Festival of Speed
Gill writes: ‘This year is the tenth anniversary of our annual Matt Wood Festival of Speed and will take place on Sunday 31 August 2008 in memory of our dear son, Matthew, who sadly died from a brain tumour on 3 January 1999, just four days before his 24th birthday.
The event is held in our garden as a celebration of Matthew’s life. It consists of a scale replica of the Japanese Grand Prix circuit at Suzuka, Japan, around which are raced Scalextric cars on a large four-lane track, culminating in an exciting 80-lap final.
Teams of four people are invited to come along and enter the event and the final date for anyone wishing to enter is 23 August 2008. We will also be having a barbeque lunch, raffle and other fun activities.
We have held the event for the last nine years and received fantastic support from family and friends - of special significance to us are the many of Matthew’s old school friends who come along to join in the day to remember him.
Over the years, this fun event has raised a substantial sum of money which has been dedicated to research into the causes of brain tumours. Last year we were fortunate to receive a donation of £1,250 for Brain Tumour UK from British Telecom’s Honeypot Fund for which we are very grateful.
Finally, a big thank you to Jenny Baker who took the time to visit us last year on Saturday 1 September 2007 (our practice day).’
Harry's story:
In November 2006 Harry Tempest was diagnosed with a grade 4 malignant brain tumour. Harry who lives life to the full had to give up his great passion - playing rugby however he wasn’t going to let the cancer take over him. “With all my will I am determined to beat the odds I have been given”.
Harry decided to increase his challenge by organising and taking part in some sponsored sporting events to raise money for charity and so far he has raised more than £6,000 for Brain Tumour UK alone for which we thank you.
Harry’s latest triumph was cycling the length of Britain, from John O’Groats to Lands End in just 9 days in May 2008 with friend Geoff Bailey and with the support of Ivor Boehmer (see photo above). The journey covered 874 miles and the boys relay cycled approximately a 100 miles a day all in aid of Brain Tumour UK for which we say a big thank you.
Some of Harry’s past achievements have been taking part in the Warwickshire Relay Triathlon on the 30th September 2007 and walking Hadrian’s Wall in October 2007.
Harry Tempest, Geoff Bailey and Damien Kimber (right) took part in the Warwickshire Triathlon. The Triathlon is a fun but challenging event set around the historic town of Stratford-upon-Avon.
The race started with a 400m swim (Geoff), followed by a 23km cycle (Harry) and finally a 5km run (Damien).
Hadrian’s Wall was built in AD 122, by Emporer Hadrian, to stop raids on the roman empire by the Scottish Pictish tribes. It stretches across the full width of modern Britain for a total of 84 miles. Last year between 14th October and 20th October 2007, Harry, accompanied by a few friends (left), walked from coast to coast along the full stretch of the Wall.
The walk took about 6 days and they walked approximately 13-15 miles per day, walking from Newcastle-upon-Tyne to Bowness-on-Solway across the North Yorkshire moors and into the northern lake district.
