Positive Steps Forward

Although we are in a tunnel of sadness, there are some positive things coming up on the horizon which we'd like to share with you.

On 8th November we are going to another 'Bereavement Day for Parents', this time locally in Reigate. We are hoping to meet some lovely people again and to share and comfort each other. This will be similar to the one we attended in Liverpool a few months ago but we felt we gained great strength and benefit from it we decided to do it again.

Then at the end of November we are going away for a weekend to Devon with a group of couples who have all lost an only child. It's not a formal structured weekend just a pre-Christmas get together and a chance to chat and help one another. We've been in touch with a couple of people and they seem very positive and friendly. We won't really know anyone but I'm sure we will do after a couple of days!

When we went to The Royal London Hospital a few weeks ago we were asked if we would help them set up a support group for people and their families who had been in Intensive Care. We are both really keen to do this and agreed without hesitation. They will contact us early next year to arrange things. They are so pleased with Neil and his progress and see him as a positive example

Christmas is looming and it will be such a hard time for us and our families. We have decided to help the homeless in Deptford for the Crisis Christmas Centre on Christmas Day and Boxing Day starting at 7.00 am! We should be finished late afternoon and able to see both families in the early evening. Just wanted to do something different. Christmas is a time for children and we just want it to come and go as quickly as possible.

Hopefully a few things to look forward to in the future.

One Day I'll Get My Wish!

It's been a while now since I last wrote. Hope you are all well.


I paid another visit to Royal London Hospital and they've now signed me off . They said it's still early days for my breathing to improve because they reckon on 12 to 18 months after you've been in intensive care. I happened to meet up with one of the male nursing staff who was on my operation, and his only comment to me was that 'I owe him a nights sleep' after what I put him through. After my consultation they agreed that I'm about 75 to 80% better, so I should be happy! but am I?

I'm enjoying reffing again but need to get off pretty quickly as I get terribly upset after the games, I'm sure I don't have to tell you why. I thought it might get easier to deal with, but it gets so much harder.

People have been fantastic, and I'm happy to admit, that at times I don't appear to be grateful for all that has been done.

Next year with the help of other great people we hope to do an annual event for the children. Still to be confirmed but will let you know early next year.

Nearly 10 months have now passed and alot has happened. To you all, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Nearly £30,000.00 quid in on and off-line charity donations do I need to say anymore!

To all, look after yourselves.

One day I'll get my wish! x

Luke Holland Memorial Match

A huge supportive crowd gathered to watch the Luke Holland Memorial Match on Sunday 7th September. Approximately 400 people cheered on the two teams Luke played for, Brockham Badgers and Ockley Acorns, who were battling it out for the trophy. All his friends were playing and both teams were keen to win. Ockley opened the scoring on what turned out to be a dry night with the pitch in perfect condition. By half-time Ockley were winning 2-0. In the second half Brockham pulled back a goal and as the game went on Ockley were leading 3-2. Some excellent football was being played by both teams and the crowd were enjoying the performance. Minutes from the final whistle Brockham scored the final goal to level the match 3-3. A very neutral referee (Neil!) decided extra time and penalties would not be played and so both teams shared the trophy. A fantastic game and a perfect score. You did Lukey proud boys. A small donation of £1 was suggested from each adult with the money to go to Surrey Air Ambulance. They obviously didn't take any notice as we raised an amazing £741.56!! Thank you everyone for your generosity and for an emotional but lovely evening. A special tribute to our special boy.

Change Of Kick-Off Re:Memorial Game At Dorking FC - 7th September 2008

Hi Everyone, due to an F.A. Vase game being played in the afternoon we have had to change the time of kick-off for the game between Brockham and Ockley. It will now be 7.00pm under floodlights on this Sunday 7th September 2008. Hopefully this won't change your plans too much so look forward to seeing you all on the day. X

Memorial Football Match For Our Lukey - Sept 7th 2008

Hi All, I can't believe I have to write this even after seven months of Lukey boy not being here. For Sal and I it will be very nice to see everyone but very tough when it is all over. The under 15 boys of Brockham and Ockley of last season will battle it out for a trophy in honour of our boy. It will be held at Dorking Football Club on Sunday 7th September 2008, kick off 11.15am. I'm going to try and referee the game which I hope I can enjoy as well as remembering what Luke would do in certain football situations. As I said before it would be great to see everyone before and after in the bar. There maybe a small admission fee which will go towards the total raised for the Air Ambulance. Just for me to say let's hope it's a good day!

Holiday in the Sun

We've recently got back from a holiday with my family in a very hot Spain. Julia and Alan very generously hired a large villa near Marbella and invited both sides of the family (Al's side the first week and Ju's side the second.) Neil and I flew out there on 31st July and my sisters and Mum all arrived within a few days. Ju & Al's boys, Chris and Doug spent most of the time bombing us in the pool as we lay relaxing on the sunbeds. Little darlings. We barely saw a cloud all week and the temperature spent most of the time in the high 90's. It was just what we all needed, a bit of time out relaxing, eating, drinking, reading and swimming. Obviously some highs and lows but being together was lovely. Neil seemed to have a challenge every day, went running with Al, Chris and Nikkie several times. He swam in the sea out to a buoy a long way out, despite the fact we all told him not to!! He lifted Alan onto his shoulders in the swimming pool and spent the next few days with backache. He played Alan at golf and was kindly given a handicap, which Al probably regretted as they finished even. Good to have a change of scenery, lovely company and a time to think and relax. Now back home where there are plenty of clouds and the temperature is in the mid 60's. It's lovely to be home! Wouldn't want to live anywhere else though.

Great Day Had By All

The British 10k Hyde Park Run - Sunday 6th July 2008. Apart from getting married and then having Luke this was probably the next best thing that has ever happened to me.

Yesterday we woke up at 5.30 am to very dark clouds and it started to pour with rain just after 6.00am. All of us met and left Brockham by coach generously donated by Edward Thomas & Sons at 6.45am yesterday morning. We got to Hyde Park to very changeable weather.

23 lovely people ran their hearts out for both the Surrey & Sussex and the London Air Ambulance. The race started at The Hard Rock Cafe in Piccadilly and finished in Whitehall. We then all met in St James's Park for a picnic and a well earned rest. The coach arrived to take us back to Brockham for Teas on the green where the shone for the rest of the afternoon. A huge amount of cakes had been donated and a large number of supporters turned up to drink tea and eat cakes and strawberries and cream. We raffled the prizes and auctioned the bottle of whisky all donated by Edward Thomas & Sons.

Thank you to everyone who all made it such a very special day including the children who made the superb banners.

Above is a photo of some well known highly toned athletes who did a PB of 59.59!