Dan Coley and myself are running the Barcelona marathon in March in memory of my Nan, and more importantly to raise money to ensure that the support Farleigh offers can continue for many more families like mine in their hour of need. We are currently training hard in the freezing temperatures to get our dream time of sub 4 hours! Please donate any money you can, no matter how big or small, and we will be greatly appreciative.

http://www.farleighhospice.org/

Follow the link for more information on the amazing work of Farleigh Hospice in Essex, here is a brief from their website; 

All of Farleigh Hospice services are provided completely free of charge to the people of mid Essex.

The cost of running our services continues to increase each year as we care for an ever increasing number of patients. Last year a total of 4,515 people accessed our services and our total expenditure was £4,775,000.

With only approximately 40% of this yearly running cost being funded by the local NHS, Farleigh Hospice relies on the support and goodwill of the local mid Essex community to help raise £7,750 each day and enable us to carry on caring.

Once again, here is the speech I read out at my Nan's funeral. For those of you who never had the pleasure of meeting this wonderful lady, here is an attempt to provide you an insight; 

I am stood before you a proud man as I read this speech to remember and celebrate the life of my hero, my Nanny Ray. Whether she was family or a friend we can all share our love for this truly great lady. As a person, Sheila Rayfield was unique. I am honoured to be a Rayfield and if I ever turn out to be even half the human being she was, I will have succeeded in life. We all share so many great memories of this wonderful person and we should all feel blessed to have spent so much time in her presence. I want everyone to reflect on what impact she had on your life and what you can do to ensure there is a legacy. Everyone here should be inspired to make the most of your time on Earth and make sure you make Nan proud. When trying to describe Nan, I really do not know where to start. The easiest and simplest way is to say she was a legend, but that really wouldn’t do it justice. Never in my life have I known a kinder person. Of all her traits I will say that is the one that struck me the most. In everything she done, she never put herself first. I could go on for hours about the memories, from the windmill to the boat in Norfolk, and what she truly means to me, I’m sure we all could. I will tell one in particular one though. As you may know, we as a family get together over a park once a year. We had a game of Rounders this summer and guess who stood up to bat. Yes that’s right, my warrior of a Nan. That is what I always put in my texts to her, keep on fighting you warrior. As a student they say you’re a Zulu warrior for finishing of a pint in 8 seconds. Well in this case what does this make my Nan? I saw her detiorate infront of my eyes as the cancer ravaged through her body yet she never lost her faith. She remained upbeat and still a joy to be around. I made sure I travelled down from Nottingham every week to see that smile. A 3 hour journey made it worthwhile and I would gladly travel across the world to see it. For me it’s the little things I will miss most; the ice cream cones she made, talks about Spurs, heated political debates, Nan really did have it all! I could even show her pictures of my lad’s trips abroad, even if she did look on with disgust! Nan really did inspire me as a person to do better and be the best I possibly could. When the day did come and I had to say goodbye last weekend I was reassured knowing that the pain would be gone from her life and she was going to a better place. The Nan I knew and loved was still there as a body but gone as a person. She had time to hear the goodbyes of those that mattered most to her and above all her last days were spent in peace and with dignity. I would like to thank Farleigh Hospice for the world class care she received and the warmth you gave to our family. For me Nan may have gone, but she will never be forgotten. Nan has pride of place in my university room and when people come in they see the picture and ask who it is? I simply reply she was the most amazing person I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I will one day have kids and I will tell them all about my Nanny Ray and how much she really did mean to me. They will be bought up knowing what a true inspiration to me she was. This short speech is simply the introduction to a fairy-tale relationship we enjoyed. Although it is gone for now, I know you’re up their watching down on and I aim to make you proud.