Help my Mum and Dad raise £40k in memory of our little sister Ciara!

Glasgow Santa Dash 5k

2008-12-14T03:46:00.000-08:00

Not really part of our fundraising effort but just "for free" to put a smile on everyones face-enjoy!!

Celtic Spirit

2008-11-15T04:38:00.000-08:00

Check out Celtic Spirit's website, with info about our inaugural ball.

http://www.celticpipes.co.uk/news.htm

The great news is they have committed to supporting us next year!

The Cook Book

2008-11-15T01:25:00.000-08:00

The Cook Book, including pictures from Liam and Niamh is now on sale in all Scottish BonMarche stores for a suggested donation of £3. You can pay more!!

100% of proceeds will go direct to SANDS so we will make a minimum of £15,000 when they are all sold!!!

For those unable to buy from stores they can be purchased through emailing pamela.mckay@bonmarche.co.uk (a charge will need to be made to cover postage)

SMASHED THE TARGET!!!!!

2008-11-15T01:22:00.000-08:00

CHECK OUT THE TOTAL!!!

WE'VE SMASHED THE TARGET!!!!

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT!!!

Enchanted Ball 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-11-15T01:13:00.000-08:00

BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!!

ENCHANTED BALL 2 will take place again at Glenskirlie House and Castle next year on THURSDAY 5th NOVEMBER!!!

.......expect fireworks!!!!

If you were there this year, I'm sure you'll want to join us again (perhaps with a guest!) and if you missed out, don't let it happen again!!

Harry Casey caught by papparazzi with cheer leader!!

2008-11-15T01:08:00.000-08:00

Harry (my dad) doing what most of the guys at the ball wanted to do, but weren't brave enough!! A Rockette making an "oldish" guy very happy!!

Official Photographer

2008-11-15T01:06:00.000-08:00

Here is the link for the official photographer.

Remember we'll get money from any you buy from the website!

http://www.everybodysmile.biz/borggrech/events.html

Worth a look even if you weren't there!!

Some photos from the Ball

2008-11-15T00:59:00.000-08:00

More to follow when I get them, so keep checking out the blog.

The Enchanted Ball 2008-what a success!!

2008-11-15T00:39:00.001-08:00

Thank you to all who attended the Enchanted Ball on the 6th November. It was a hugely successful night enjoyed by all!!

We raised approximately £13,000 which took us over the £40,000 target and to a new running total of £46,000!!!!!!!!!!

James Edward Greaves

2008-10-07T12:16:00.001-07:00

As promised photos of our new cousin/nephew!

Breaking news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-10-07T05:14:00.000-07:00

Not really to do with our fundraising but definately worth reporting is the news that Liam and Niamh now have a new cousin-James Edward Greaves born 8lb 3 in Dubai today!
Will post pictures as soon as they are available.

Congratulation to Liz, Andrew and of course the former "baby William", who will henceforth be known simply as William!

More Cycling News.....

2008-10-07T05:08:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Anthony Casey and his friend who cycled from Berwick to Newcastle on 27 September raising over £500 in the process. Journey should have been 100 miles, but after taking a wromg turn they managed to complete a 120 mile journey in just over 10 hours!! Well done lads!!

Great North Run

2008-10-07T05:02:00.000-07:00

Well at last I've completed my commitments to cover 40 miles of running and 40 miles of cycling!! Completed Great North Run on Sunday 5th October, which was the last of my runs. Unfortunately I have damaged my meniscus in the process and may need an operation on my knee-but it was all worth it and I plan to do more half marathon's next year (if anyone wants to join me!-knee permitting obviously!) I can now go and have someone fix my meniscus!!!!

Junior Great North Run

2008-10-07T04:53:00.001-07:00

Thanks to Claire O'Sullivan who competed in the Junior Great North Run on Saturday 4Th October.

Glasgow Half Marathon

2008-09-08T13:17:00.001-07:00

Whilst doing my final long run a week before the event, I managed to do something to my knee which meant I was unable to do any running in the build up!
However with the power of 4 nurofen, some ibuprofen cream and the support of my two mates Michael and George we managed to complete our half marathon with not too much trouble!!
Thanks must go to Michael and George for their support/effort and also for raising in excess of £1000!!

St Andrews 10k Strathclyde Park

2008-09-08T13:11:00.000-07:00

Another day, another run!!

This time was definately my most nervous, as there was only 700 entrants and they were all in groups-athletics clubs etc. Not another fat dad with asthma in sight!!!-my only goal was not to come last!!!

Family Picture from the Bike ride

2008-09-08T13:04:00.001-07:00

Just a nice picture from the Dundee and Perth Courier Newspaper at the start of the ride.

The Big Bike Ride

2008-09-08T12:54:00.001-07:00

After much hard training-10 days x 1to 2 hours every day in sweltering heat in Portugal, I set off with Ali Nimmo from BonMarche in Perth and cycled the 40.2miles to BonMarche Falkirk. Included was a 5mile climb which just about killed us, however completed in just over 3 hours-so we were happy.

And the good news was we didn't feel any after effects the next day!!!!

Oh and probably should mention raised nearly £3000 by getting BonMarche customers in Scotland to guess how long it would take-£1 a go and they could win back their shopping!

Glasgow Green 5k

2008-09-08T12:51:00.000-07:00

Another run complete......only 5k this time, but actually my hardest yet as I tried to run fast!!

BonMarche Kirkcaldy Beetledrive

2008-09-08T12:15:00.000-07:00

I have no idea what a Beetle Drive is?? I thought it had something to do with Herbie!!!
However what I do know is that the team in BonMarche Kirkcaldy organised one and raised £120-so well done!!

BonMarche Greenock Race Night

2008-09-08T12:13:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all the team in BonMarche Greenock who organised a race night, including buffet etc.

They raised just under £700-well done!

Aunty Mary and friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-09-08T12:11:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Aunty Mary and her army of friends and family who got involved in her garden party in July. All expectations were exceeded and almost £600 was raised from various activities including a book sale and teas/coffees etc!!!

Thanks and well done all involved!

Step Challenge

2008-09-08T12:08:00.000-07:00

Well done and thank you to all the staff in BonMarche stores in Scotland who participated in the Step Challenge, which made sure that they all kept moving and at the same time raised to very valuable money for the charity!

Six Peaks!!!

2008-06-26T14:18:00.000-07:00

So far the guys look like raising about £11k-we'll keep you posted on the final figure.

However, surely the facts and the pictures below must make you want to donate some money through our justgiving site-go on they deserve it!!!!

Some Pictures from the 6 Peak challenge

2008-06-26T14:05:00.000-07:00

OUR HEROES!!!!!!!

2008-06-26T13:45:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Fran and Paul (Diggers) for everything they went through last weekend.

Here is a flavour of what they did/went through doing the 6 Peak Challenge!!.......

They were trying to beat the clock as some people had sponsored more money the faster they did it and when they got down from Sca Fell they set off in Mark Mcclay's car and Diggers felt a little sick. However he told Mark to keep driving as he did not want to waste time and was sick out of the car window 3 times at 60mph!!

The Big 3 peaks cover approx 26 miles. There is about 270 miles between Ben Nevis to Scafell and a further 260 miles to Snowdon.(DAY 1)

The 3 peaks in yorkshie covers 24.54 miles without including the inclines up and down.(DAY 2)

Day 1 was completed in 18hrs 45mins. (Target time 24hrs)

Day 2 was completed in 10hrs 5min (Target time 12hrs)

On the last 6 miles on the road back to Horton in Ribblesdale it was complete agony and Fran said to Diggers "the SAS don't go through this much pain"

Oh did I mention the weather was shocking and their tent blew away on Saturday night, meaning they had to get some sleep in the car.

And that finally on their last day ,when they got to the pub where they were due to finish that the pub had stopped serving food. Dinner then consisted of 4 bags of crisps and 3 Mars Bars!!!

As I said they are our heroes!!!!

Thanks to Fran and Diggers and also Norman and Mark, who assisted Sian with the driving.

Ball Update

2008-06-17T13:18:00.000-07:00

The "Enchanted Ball" will be taking place at Glenskirlie House, Stirlingshire on Thursday 6th November. Tickets are £60 and include champagne reception, 3 course meal+coffee and petit fours, wine, auction and entertainment. 7pm till 1am.

If you are interested in tickets, which are selling fast contact me at sean.casey67@sky.com

We also have various sponsorship packages available and are on the lookout for good auction prizes. If you or someone you know would be interested in helping please let me know.

6 Peak Challenge

2008-06-17T13:01:00.000-07:00

Good luck this weekend to Fran O’Donnell and Paul Digman (2 of Sian's colleagues from Blockbuster) who intend to embark on the following challenge that can only be described as lunacy.
In previous years they have done the three peaks challenge, which is basically climbing the highest peak in Scotland (Ben Nevis) the highest peak in England (Scarfell Pike) and the highest peak in Wales (Snowdon) in under 24 hours. However this year they are taking the lunacy to new heights and have decided to complete the three highest peaks as normal in the 24 hours then drive onto Yorkshire to complete the three highest peaks in the dales, the Yorkshire peaks alone are expected to take 12 hours to complete. They are attempting to complete the whole task in under 36 hours!

Schedule as follows
Start Friday 20th June
17.45 Ben Nevis (4.45 Hours) up and down (there is a bit of running to do this)
4.30 ish Scarfell Pike (2.45/3 hours) bit more running than Nevis
11.30 ish Snowdon (3 hours) lots more running than the other 2
Finish before 17.45

Then onto Yorkshire for Sunday morning and 12 more hours of dragging yourself up and down the 3 highest peaks in the dales.

Thanks to all involved including drivers and a few who have volunteered to do bits of this mammoth task.

Every Blockbuster store in the UK will be collecting on their behalf this week, so hopefully it will all be worthwhile!!

Makes my running seem a bit tame!!

The Running Man

2008-06-17T12:48:00.000-07:00

Well, I completed my first run last Sunday-the Glasgow Mens Health 10k and I'm still alive. As I've said all along I am far from a natural athlete (more a fat dad with asthma!) So quite satisfying and the start of a busy few months.

Next runs planned are

9 July -Coop 5k Glasgow Green
23 August - St Andrews Hospice 10k at Strathclyde Park
7 September -Great Scottish Run Half Marathon Glasgow
14 September-Cumbernauld 10k
5 October- Great North Run Half Marathon

Penny a day for the month of May

2008-06-17T12:46:00.000-07:00

Throughout the month of May all my stores in Scotland collected over £600 at their cash desks by encouraging customers to donate their change to our very special cause.

Thanks to all the girls and all the customers.

Walkabout

2008-06-17T12:44:00.000-07:00

Thanks and well done to Jessica and the girls in the BonMarche store in Hamilton who raised £600 doing a sponsored walk around Strathclyde Country Park-very much appreciated.

Uncle Crumble-end of term show at Liam's drama class

2008-06-17T12:39:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all the kids at Rentacrowd, who raised £118 at their end of term show. Liam played the part of a strongman.

Shh!!!

2008-06-17T12:34:00.000-07:00

More news that may be hard to believe but Liam and his friends at school stayed silent for 15 minutes and raised over £700. Well done to all the kids at Holy Cross, Croy!

Funny story

2008-06-17T12:09:00.000-07:00

Guess where we found a balloon???

Sweden!

Yes, that's right. One of the balloons from Northern Ireland was found by a Catholic priest in Sweden, resulting in a 10 minute slot on Ulster TV!!!!

Sounds made up, but TOTALLY true!

Scotland Balloon Launch

2008-06-17T12:06:00.000-07:00

Following the successful balloon launch in Northern Ireland, my BonMarche stores in Scotland held a similar event and raised in excess of £3000. Well done and thanks to all involved.

What a DEAL!!!!

2008-06-17T12:03:00.001-07:00

Well done and thanks to the boys from the Deal, who raised £258 at their gig in April. Very much appreciated.

Thanks from SANDS

2008-03-20T17:17:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to share this email that we received today from Carolyn at Sands.

Hi Sean

Firstly, wanted to let you know that I spoke with Neal our Chief Exec yesterday and he wanted me to personally pass on his thanks to you and Sian, and the rest of your "team" for all you are doing for Sands.

The other thing was that I have five places going for the Great Edinburgh Run on the 4th May if you or anyone you know might be interested? We've been advised the deadline we have to allocate is the 6th April but I've noted that if you go online it's the 21st so it looks like they've extended the deadline which is good. Anyway, just before we round-robined everyone we thought you might be interested? More info about the run itself can be found at http://entry.greatrun.org/EventInformation.aspx?StreamId=11

More Press!!!

2008-03-16T06:36:00.000-07:00

Today we had another fantastic full page article in the Sunday Post!!

It just keeps rolling in!

Cookery Book Update

2008-03-16T06:29:00.000-07:00

Some good news this week. The printing company we use at Bonmarche, Image Serigraphics has agreed to print our cookbook for free! That should make a should difference to how much we make.

We are still collating recipes etc but will update everyone as this project progresses.

Black Tie Charity Ball

2008-03-16T06:23:00.000-07:00

Just to let you all know that we are in process of finalising details of our charity ball. Date is looking at Thursday 6th November at Glenskirlie Castle and House.

More details to follow once finalised.

www.glenskirliehouse.com

The Deal-Charity Gig

2008-03-16T06:02:00.000-07:00

As some of you know Steve Shotton is in a band called the Deal with some of his friends. They are having charity gig to raise money for our charity. See copy of tickets attached. Please contact stephenshotton@hotmail.com if you require tickets.

http://www.thedeal.org.uk/

More from the Northern Ireland Balloon Launch

2008-02-20T07:45:00.001-08:00

To date we look like we have raised in excess of £2700!!! Well done and thanks to all the Bonmarche stores in Northern Ireland.

Collette King

2008-02-08T13:47:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Collette who has registered to run a 10k in Liverpool in May and will be raising money for our charity.

OUR VERY SPECIAL BOY!!!!!

2008-02-08T13:22:00.000-08:00

One of the things we have realised and have to come to expect is that as we continue with this campaign not a week will go by when we are amazed by how good people are and also at times that litte things will bring a tear to our eyes.

This week our little boy made us both very proud.

On Tuesday he was awarded Pupil of the Month for excellent behaviour and effort. When he received his award in front of the school assembly, it was pointed out that his was a celebrity due to his appearance on GMTV!!!

At this point and totally unprompted he began to tell the whole school about his little sister, who had died and what we were trying to do!!! HOW PROUD ARE WE!!!

And I bet more than a few of you have a little tear in your eye!

A slight change in our objective

2008-02-08T13:15:00.000-08:00

When we started off on our campaign our sole objective was to raise money. However what we have realised this week is how important and also rewarding it is to raise awareness. You can not put a price on this-but every person we help by talking about still birth and neo natal death, makes this campaign even more worthwhile/rewarding.

Following our GMTV interview Sian was approached by someone who had encountered still birth and was looking for someone to talk to-(PRICELESS)

Great Balloon Launch in Northern Ireland

2008-02-08T13:08:00.000-08:00

Thanks to my colleagues in Northern Ireland.

Today was the Great Balloon launch with balloons released from every BonMarche store in Northern Ireland. These had all been purchased by their customers and should contribute a considerable amount to the fund! I will let you know how much when I find out the total and hopefully some pictures.

Funny story!!!! After seeing this event communicated in local newspaper, Connswater store was contacted by air traffic control at Belfast airport, who instructed them that they would need clearnance!!!!

Thank you in particular to Alison and Michelle

Publicity!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-02-08T13:00:00.000-08:00

What a week!! Following Pamela's press releases regards the baking book we have been photographed and appeared in the Herald

http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.2015310.0.Parents_of_stillborn_baby_turn_to_fundraising.php

After seeing this aricticle we were contacted by GMTV Scotland regards an interview. This took place on Monday evening and appeared on Tuesday morning (3 times).

We have also been contacted by The Sunday Post and the Daily Mirror who also wish to interview us over the next few weeks.

This is also on top of many pieces of coverage in several local papers around Scotland.

Again-big thanks to Pamela Mackay

Cake a trip down memory lane

2008-02-08T12:56:00.000-08:00

Lastest fundraising initiative has been launched by my Bonmarche stores. They are looking to get baking recipes from each store's customers and create a baking recipe book. We will the sell the book with all profits going to the charity. I will keep you posted with updates.

Thanks to Pamela Mackay for driving this!

Our Ladies Coffee Morning

2008-02-08T12:53:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Aunty Mary and co for organising a coffee morning-they raised £80

Join me in a gentle run!!

2008-01-15T13:47:00.000-08:00

Just an update of where and when I'll be running (so far). I have also attached the relevant links to the websites where you can register, for those of you who have committed to join me. The links can be found on the left hand side along with some other important links.

Bupa Great Edinburgh Run 10k-Sunday, 4th May 2008 in Edinburgh City Centre

Men's Health Forum Scotland 10k-Sunday,15th June 2008 Bellahouston Park
Glasgow

Great Scottish Run Half Marathon-Sunday,7th September 2008 Glasgow City Centre

I have also registered to run Great North Run on Sunday 5th October, although as yet entry is not open. You can register to be reminded when open.

So far, so good!

2007-12-05T12:56:00.000-08:00

Just needed to say how fantastic the response so far has been. Since sending out to friends and family, work colleagues and also Sian's work colleagues the signs have been very promising.
Will not mention everyone by name but some of the highlights are as follows

Caroline Parkinson has offered to do a sponsored swim
Trudie Barber has offered design help and also possible sourcing of cheap printing if necessary.
Various people have offered to join in with the running/riding.
Sian's boss has promised to look at doing something in all his Blockbuster stores after Christmas to raise money for the fund!
Niki Farnworth has offered to look into several things, including a possible charity calendar!
Have also had pledged over £200 in cash so far

40k challenge for Ciara

2007-12-04T05:56:00.000-08:00

£40k Challenge for Ciara

in support of SANDS(Still born and Neonatal Death Society) and Princess Royal Maternity Hospital(Glasgow)

As many of you will know, I will turn 40 this December (although I know it’s probably hard to believe!) In the year I celebrate by 40 years of life, it is also the anniversary of my daughter Ciara, who was still born as a result of Edwards Syndrome; a chromosome related syndrome, in April 2003. This would have been her fifth year.

To make this year special, I have committed to raise £40k, to be shared between the 2 charities mentioned above.

At the time of Ciara’s death SANDS were a huge support and made funeral arrangements etc (all at their own expense)

Princess Royal Maternity is a fantastic hospital and is where all our children were born-firstly Liam and then after Ciara, Niamh. Sian’s pregnancy with Niamh was, as you can imagine a rather traumatic 9 months, however the support from the hospital was fantastic.

My fundraising will be based around the following activities

Complete approximately 40 miles worth of sponsored runs including the Great North Run (13 m iles), Glasgow Half Marathon (13 miles) and 2x10k races to be confirmed
Cycle 40 miles-potentially from Bomnarche store in Perth to Bonmarche Falkirk

I also intend to organise a charity ball/dinner later in the year, which I will confirm when I have details.

However this list is not exhaustive (although potentially exhausting!). I will do whatever I need to do to achieve my goal of £40k.

Therefore all I ask of you is to support me in whatever way possible.
General encouragement
Sponsorship for any/all of my activities
Donation
Potential auction prizes for charity dinner
Perhaps you would even like to join me in one of my activities.

Please help me achieve my goal and make this year a special year!

Thanks, in anticipation

Sean