Chelston presentation Life is slowly returning to normal after my great adventure and it seems longer than two weeks ago that we arrived home. On the Saturday evening, Tony had arranged a gathering of friends, supporters and Hospice representatives and once again I felt honoured that so many people had made such an effort to welcome the Granny Trek team. This was enhanced by the evenings takings on the tombola and raffle which, when matched by Barclay’s Bank, added a further £1,000 to the fund. On Friday last we were invited to Chelston Motorhomes’ premises at Wellington, where they treated us to champagne and presented us with the fuel expenses for the trip, as well as the sponsor money raised by Team Chelston in the Taunton Half Marathon earlier in the year. At last we met Giles, who had been so desperately ill following his collapse during the race and we were delighted and relieved to know that he is now back at work. We were photographed for the last time with our lovely home on wheels, now sparkling clean and ready for the sales court. Julia and I both wished we could drive off in it. Rudi and Fritz settled back into home life as though they’d never been away. The only evidence of their mammoth efforts is a reduction in their dimensions, but no doubt they – like me – will soon return to normal size. Actually before we left the vet had warned that they were getting overweight, so they’re not being fed extra portions like I am. My weight continued to drop for the first week, but it’s now stabilized and will doubtless begin to climb again soon. If only the fleshy bits would go back on the right places!! It’s difficult to buckle down again to contacting people about the mini Granny Treks in the south west region, but it must be done and as soon as this journal is posted on the web I’ll be compiling a list of people to contact – walkers in the U3A, rambling groups, WIs. The most difficult message to get across is that I don’t want any of their organisation’s funds. I’m looking for individuals out of the organisations. I’m fully aware that a charity can’t give to another charity. So wish me luck and if you happen to live in the south west, how about getting some friends together to do a mini Granny Trek? Get in touch with us for sponsor forms and plan a circular walk. It doesn’t need to be far – in fact, if your friends aren’t regular walkers, then two miles is probably more than enough. It’s amazing how quickly the money can build up, so make that effort – please – for Children’s Hospice South West. |