48 hours isn't such a long time.

Is it?

This summer, I have gracefully accepted a place on the School of Movement Medicine's Long Dance ceremony, during which I will dance for 48 hours (with a three hour sleep in the middle).

If you know me, you will know that I love to dance. It is the time when I most come alive, when I feel free and creative and happy in my skin.

But 48 hours?! I must be mad.... or perhaps it is a wonderful opportunity to be part of something unforgettable and make a positive difference at the same time.

From July 2nd to 6th, I will be staying at the Earth Spirit Centre near Glastonbury. Over the course of that weekend, I will be dancing with a group of dedicated, heartfelt dancers from all across the globe. We dance to remember, to honour and to celebrate.

I have chosen to dance in memory of Jim Atkinson, Nige''s dad, who sadly passed away on December 13th, 2009. Jim: cyclist, walker, husband, father, friend, handyman, joker, singer; missed, loved, and honoured.

Jim has taught me perseverance (I'll need it!), devotion (to his wife, Jenny), and humility (in his last days. He exhibited such grace and openness). His life has greatly impacted mine; without him, there would be no Nige. Without Jim, I wouldn't be a cyclist. Without Jim, many mountains wouldn't have been climbed, and the world would be a sadder place indeed.

The ceremony is a give-away ceremony, and I'm required to raise a minimum of £200. I can only do this with your help. If you are reading this, then you are a lovely person and I will give you a huge hug when I next see you to say thank you for your donation. Recently, I gave a friend 1% of her Justgiving target (yes, that's right, a mighty £2 went from my account into her charity's), and she was so thankful for it that I almost felt embarrassed. Sitting here today, I can tell you that whatever you give will be so massively appreciated. I'm already grateful and I haven't raised a penny! 

So thank you for being in my life. Somehow, that means that you are part of the dance, too.

The East Lancashire Hospice is where Jim spent his last days. A worthier cause I couldn't find: the level of care demonstrated at the hospice is exemplary, and the staff were not only talented and skilled, but fuelled by love and understanding.

You probably won't ever meet the people your donations will impact, but these people are fathers, mothers, friends, lovers, brothers, sisters, individuals, just like me or you. The hospice gives people something that is so sad to lose in times of illness - dignity. So please, give what you can, and I will take photos of my poor, blistered feet to keep you amused.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Love,

Elloa x x

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.