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On the 4th December, I took part in a Panto at the Promise Dreams Dinner at Walsall Town Hall. As always the charity was very well supported and everyone seemed to have a good time. My fellow cast members included Steve Bull and Don Goodman, Jenny Jones and Jenny Wilkes from Radio WM and we were absolutely delighted to welcome the wonderful Jaki Graham who not only took part in the panto but performed 3 numbers for us including ‘Set me Free’ to a fantastic response from the audience. She’s an amazing lady and I was so pleased to have had the opportunity to meet her. Our 4th Run for Dreams took place on Sunday morning and guess what – the rain didn’t happen until the latter stages which was really good. The numbers this year were slightly down on last year but we are aware that we have so much competition now in the fun run category so for next year, we are looking at marketing our run differently and bringing in some new ideas. Our first planning meeting for 2010 will be in a couple of weeks.
What was very apparent however, was the amazing atmosphere yet again. It’s brilliant to see that even with a small amount of people, the goodwill and love is there in abundance. This year we were delighted to welcome the beautiful Beverley Knight. She was working in London the night before but still drove to Wolverhampton to support Promise Dreams. She was bright eyed and raring to go at 8.15 on Sunday morning in spite of not getting home until 2.30 am. Beverley stayed on after the run had finished to have photographs taken with lots of those that had taken part. Over a dozen of our lovely Gadget Show crew turned up bright and early too which was fantastic and then of course we also had many ‘tweeters’ turn up from all parts of the UK. One group, who called themselves the Dreamtwits took park and Beverley’s mum baked a beautiful rum soaked fruit cake for them. Both Beverley and I are avid tweeters and we were both delighted to see so many of them come to run for Promise Dreams. A very big thank you to my Gadget Show friends, to the ‘tweeters’, to Tress and Trevor from Somerset, Ian from Solihull and to absolutely everybody who came and supported us again this year. Thank you also to Steve Dale who came down from Lancashire to take loads of photos for the websites.
I want to thank my mate Owen for setting up a Just Giving page which he ran on his official fan website and then let us put it on our site too. We had an original target of £500 but this has now realised more than double the amount and thank you so much to everybody who contributed to Run for Dreams through the Just Giving page. Thank you to all of you that sent in cheques in support of the run as well. You’re all very kind and it’s really appreciated – thank you. There are some amazing people out there and on behalf of Steve, Don and Bev and Amy and the girls at Promise Dreams let me thank you one and all for being there. A very special thank you to Beverley Knight – it was great to have you with us. All we need now is for everyone that did the run, to get their personal sponsorship monies in to Promise Dreams as soon as possible so that the girls can turn the cash into some more wonderful dreams for the many youngsters that the Charity is all about. Thank you Wolverhampton
These are a few of the children Pomise Dreams have helped:
Suzi, Steve and Don xx
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Robyn has a condition called Hurlers disease. This a very rare degenerative and terminal condition. Robyns dream was simply to have a very special tilting chair to enable her body to be positioned comfortably for the little time she has left.
Charlotte has a neuro-development disorder called Angelmans syndrome. Due to Charlottes mobility problems her dream was to have a stair lift at her home so she can now go upstairs safely and comfortably.
Kayley has a global development delay caused by an undiagnosed syndrome. Her condition means that Kayley’s development is very slow and she is unable to speak or walk. Her dream was to have a fibre optic fountain of her own that she and her brother could play with when they are at home.
Chloe has an undiagnosed syndrome which causes her development to be delayed and her health to be fragile. Her dream was to have a special bed so that she could have a painless night of sleep.
Ben has a severe tetraplegic cerebral palsy affecting all four limbs, severe learning difficulties and epilepsy. Bens dream was to have an adapted vehicle so he could travel safely and comfortably in his wheelchair, with his family.
Damiens dreams of becoming a footballer ended when he was diagnosed with an Osteosarcoma in his left knee. This aggressive form of cancer meant his leg had to be amputated. Damiens dream was to have his own computer so he can concentrate on his academic work and stay in contact with his friends. Thanks to our supporters his dream came true.
Harvey was born with Autism. Harveys dream was to visit the options institute in the USA, which is home of the son-rise programme. It is hoped that this therapy will teach Harvey how to communicate.
Joshua was born with a major chromosomal abnormality, which caused him to have severe learning difficulties, uncontrolled seizures and delayed development. Joshuas dream was to visit Euro Disney for a long weekend. Thanks to Promise Dreams Joshuas family have now booked their holiday.
Tilly suffers from Spinal Muscular Atrophy and has to use a wheelchair. Tillys dream is to visit Lapland with her sister and meet Santa. Thanks to Promise Dreams Tillys family have now enjoyed the trip of a lifetime to Santa in the snow.
Sophie’s dream came true when she received a specially adapted tricycle
David's dream came true when he met the WWF Superstars The Hardy Boys
Garvey's dream came true when he met Mickey Mouse at DisneyLand, Paris
Charlene's dream came true when her garden was adapted and made 'wheelchair friendly'
Jake's dream came true when he received his own sensory toys to stimulate and encourage his development
Robert's dream came true when he received a comfortable, supportive buggy so he can travel safely on day trips with his family
Ryan and Daniel's dream came true when they received their own adapted vehicle
Joshua’s dream came true when his bathroom was adapted just for him
Kirsty's dream came true when she swam with Dolphins in Florida