My Dad spent his last few days in one of the Rainbow Rooms at West Berks Hospital. My family and I were so very thankful to be able to have unlimited time and access to him. I don`t know if you know anything about the rooms, but they are an amazing facility, that enables family and friends to be able to stay with the patient. The room can divide into a bedroom area for the patient, and a family room for visitors. There is a kitchen are, a sofa bed, armchairs, and tv. You are able to come and go as you please. I was able to spend two nights, sleeping there, one of them being the night before he passed. At this point, I decided I wanted to raise some money to give back to Newbury Cancer Care, and its then we began the Mile of Pennies. We have carried out two of these and have raised over £1115…which is pretty incredible just from people’s loose change…. whether we have reached a mile or not, I don`t know, but we must be getting close . In April, of this year, I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, and it was then I wanted to step my fundraising up a bit…hence the £10, 000 challenge. I decided on a Calendar Girls style calendar as our first project. At the time I had no idea how successful it would be. Within two weeks of putting the idea out there, I had about 50 women volunteering to model, two photographers, a venue, hair and make-up people, a graphic artist, and a printers…All the models have been touched by cancer at some point in their live, whether it be losing a loved one, now in remission, or currently on their own journey…I am so incredibly proud, and thankful to them all . The calendars are now on sale and doing well. We have a fundraiser in a week’s time…`BOYS IN BRAS, GIRLS IN BOXERS`…which is a sponsored walk from Thatcham Broadway to Victoria Park` in Newbury. You are able to enter as an individual, or as a team. Please feel free to decorate your bras and boxers, the brighter, the better. Sponsorship forms are available from me, if you so wish, and there will be collection buckets on route. It’s on Saturday, November 6th, Thatcham Broadway. 12pm. On November 27th, we are holding a Christmas Wonderland and Santa’s Grotto at Thatcham Parish Hall, 2.30pm – 5.30pm. This will be a Christmas style fayre and grotto, with stalls and games, a wrapping room, and refreshments. This is just the beginning of our quest to raise as much money as we can over the next two years. In the New Year, there will be lots more going on, including A night of mediumship, A colour run, Car boot sales, and An Auction of Promises…. keep following Hope, Strength and Courage, and help us smash our target….

Karen