Geoff Appleton
Keswick to Barrow Walk - 2009
Fundraising for Willowbrook Hospice
Story
Good Morning everyone
I would like to tell you a little story. Thirty years ago, I broke my leg in 4 places and also smashed my ankle in an accident, on arriving at the hospital with my ankle actually hanging off and facing sideways like a golf putter. I was told that there was nothing could be done and my leg would have to come off. After a lot of pleading on my part and my parents they decided to, as they put it to have a go, with the condition that if during the operation they still felt so, that the bottom half of my leg would be taken off, I reluctantly signed to give permission.
On waking I saw my leg still there and was obviously very happy, then to be told that they didn't think it was going to knit and would probably still have to have it amputated, whoopee great news. After 4 weeks in hospital with various consultants saying leave it on take it off, I left hospital to be told even if we don't take it off you will never be able to walk without crutches, 6 months later plaster came off, 3 months later crutches went, I was told you will always need a walking stick, 4 months later got rid of walking stick, but you will always have a limp, 6 months later went back to work and got rid of limp, (well most of the time). I still have a lot of pain from my leg but at least its still there.
So why tell that story, because one drunken Friday night, and for those of you who know me well, will know what they can be like, Some friends said that they were going to do a walk in the lake district, yes you guessed it stupidly I said I would do it, then I found out that it is a 40 mile walk which has to be done in 12 hours, so I have been training for this since the new year I have gone through hell with my leg but I am determined to do it because it is being done for Willowbrook hospice, and no amount of pain is as much as every single person who enters that hospice has faced. It is a fantastic place where I have had numerous friends looked after in their last days.
The walk is the Keswick to Barrow walk and is carried out every year, if you type this into goggle it will take you there to check it out
By now you will have sussed out I am after your money, I don't care if its a pound please help, if you look underneath I will give an idea which will help you decide if you want to give and how much
10p a mile =£4.00
20p a mile =£8.00
Some people are just giving an amount I.a. £1.00 £5.00 £10.00 £20.00
All I need is a reply with your name address and post code.
PLEASE GIVE SOMETHING I HAVE WORKED REALLY HARD AND LOST OVER 2 STONE IN WEIGHT UP TO NOW
YOURS WILLINGLY
GEOFF APPLETON
If you would like to find out more about the charity - Willowbrook Hospice, please visit:
www.willowbrook.org.uk
If you think someone you know, family member, friend or work colleague knows me, or know about Willowbrook hospice, please feel free to pass on my webpage address.
www.justgiving.com/geoffappleton
Updated: 11/05/2009
Hi Everyone,
Just a few lines to let you know that I completed the 40mile Keswick to Barrow Walk on Saturday.
The weather was atrocious and it was a lot tougher than we imagined. But we eventually got through it. I have been in agony since and still suffering somewhat. We didn’t realise how much we had achieved, until we got to the finish, got our medals and people were collapsing like 9 pins around us.
I’d like to thank everyone who has already donated and all those have made a promise to donate. The webpage will still be running for a short period of time, so if you would still like to contribute, please do so.
Once again, thank you to everyone who has supported me through this arduous event. I'm so grateful and I've had such a good response from everyone so I've decided to up my target to £800 for the good cause.
If anyone was considering of doing this next year, I can warn you now that a lot of training is needed. The correct clothing and footwear are a must!
Yours Thankfully
Geoff Appleton
Offline donations already received:
£25 Helen Morgan,
£8 Jane Hayes,
£5 Ian Hunter
£10 Alan Duffy,
£10 John McAreavey,
£10 Christine Gerrard,
£20 Mike Bond,
£20 Judith Green,
£10 Keith Roscoe-Jones,
£10 Carol & Ken Hitchcock (South Africa!!),
£5 Karen, Lee & Jen Draper
£20 Derek & Sheila Wilton
£20 Steve Fenney
£20 Jackie Laycock
£10 John Tabern
£10 Louise & Mark Thomson
£5 Laura & Kev
£10 Stuart Wood
£10 Ian Stanley
£10 Mike Edge
£10 Mark Foster
£5 Dave Cotham
£10 Billy & Marie Innis
£10 Joanne & Jake
£10 Ken & Yvonne Twiss
£10 Phil White
£10 Dave Gaskel
£10 Nicki Woods