Baldy's Blog

Wow, to see a tailor-made charity show is a once in a lifetime opportunity! : ) !

Sudders effect still rocking!!

God is good !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Would loved to have gone but can't because of University commitments....am doing my bit here though...getting my ideas ready to put accross to the Blood Donor Service!!

Love to all

Karla xx

Hi Em!
Hope you had a great birthday! Mine was fab!!!!

Carrie and Ian - Hope the show was a success. I'm sure it was!!!!

Thank you all for the birthday messages
Steph x

Wow - that's so exciting! Me and My Girl is one of my favourite musicals and this just seems like the most perfect thing to go to for me - a great night and raising money for such a great cause and in memory of such a legend. Am desperately looking up train times and car parks and seeing if there are friends floors i can sleep on and be back on Monday morning. Really hope I can make it! Thank you for letting us know the details, Liam. xx

Hi All,

This blog never fails to amaze me. The positive vibes as a result of Adrian's hard work is fantastic. I only heard about the blog in May and therefore I missed out on loads. The comments regarding Adrian and his family, happy birthday's to me, support for Steph etc fills me with huge pride and restores some faith back in humankind.

Imagine if everyone who has read this blog (and is able) has joined the bone marrow register and also gives blood that is a hugely positive achievement for Adrian. I wonder if there are any stats that prove this.

Again I wish I could do more because this is something that I back fully but without going into the ins and outs of my world I don't get alot of free reign to do much (enough said).

Anyway thanks for the messages, the links that people put on here. The energy that this blog has created is outstanding and it is all being put to good use. Adrian Sudbury should be given somekind of national recognition for all his achievements.

Thanks to all, I am proud to be involved (albeit small) and to be a part of such a positive movement for a needed cause.

Pats on the back all round and 1000's of cheers for Adrian (and Freddie Wills too as he was the baby that kickstarted my awareness of leukaemia).

Bye for now,

Em xx

Hello, me again. On a roll at the mo'.

If any of you go to Wetherspoons have a nosey at their WETHERSPOONSNEWS, the free mag they have on their tables. Their chosen charity is CLIC Sargent, of which they have raised millions.

Anyway in their current edition (Sept/Oct) there is a section on my friends Tim and Rachel Wills and how CLIC helped them while Freddie was fighting against leukamia.

I found Adrian's words really helpful as I understood the facts of what Freddie was going through but Adrian added the human touch to a similar fight.

Thanks again.

Em xx

Hi All,

Just a bit of media whoring!

We are holding a donor recruitment clinic for the Anthony Nolan Trust on Monday 3rd November 2008.

Venue: Dunfermline Rugby Club, Fife, Scotland
Time: 5-8pm

if you live nearby or know anyone who does you know what to do!!!!!!

thanks
Steph x

Just realised if I post it here, maybe more people will read it - sorry for repeating a post from another link...

Not sure if it's my place to do this but I was thinking that if I couldn't have made the ceremony I would have wanted to grasp every bit of it I could. In this sense, if anyone would like a copy of the order of service I would be more than happy to colour photocopy my copy from the service and post it out to you.

Liam - would this be OK?? I don't want to step on toes or upset anyone, the gesture is meant purely out of goodwill for the members of Adrian's Army who couldn't be at the service.

It would all be at my own cost but I know how much I would like this if I couldn't have made it to Sheffield - I'm lucky to live here. Email me if you would like one - clare.hum@talk21.com

Great to see Adrian and Katie Campling - Huddersfield Examiner - are up for the Campaign of the Year in the Yorkshire Press Awards which take place on November 13. Fingers crossed!

Just got home from work to find my copy of Baldy's Book has arrived. It is so sad that Adrian isnt around to see it. I hope the ANT raise loads of money from the proceeds. It is really well put together and obviously the writing is fab. Bye for now, Em xx

Kay, Keith, Carrie

Many, many congratulations on yet another award. The lad IS looking down and smiling....

Hope you are well...
dawny

Hope the show will be a big success!

Shiney

Good Luck to everyone with the show tonight! I hope it's a great success and raises loads of money! I'm sure it will.

Hope everyone is ok

Nicola
xx

To all involved with tonights show at the London Palladium, Good luck!! Sure it will be a great success.

To Kay, Keith, Carrie and Barbara, Hope you are feeling well and getting stronger every day.
Love, hugs and soothing thoughts.
Christine M.XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Just a shout out to Steph, who from what I hear is back in hospital. :-(
All your H2H fans are sending you huge cyber hugs and well wishes. Rest up!!
xx
Lacey

hi all.
I hope the show went down really well. I was thinking of you all.
I feel really stupid. I have had a pretty rubbish weekend and felt ill yesterday, so I spent most of the day lazing around reading ady's book, (again!) and whilst some of it makes me smile, I still can't help feeling overwhelmingly sad. I HATE how unfair this world is.
Adrian, I know you are out there. I know you still know what is going on. I wish I had "met" you under different circumstances. I hope you like your planter. I had no idea what to plant for you, so I just figured I would think of something that makes me feel positive, so for those who don't know, I planted up a big pot with daffodils and tulips, because whenever I see Daffys and Tulips, I always feel positive, first signs of spring - new beginnings and all that. I would love to know what you think. I searched for a pork pie plant, but they don't do them sweetheart! HA HA!
Take care of yourselves everyone. Let's not let the campaign lose momentum. Lots of love. ~X~X~X~X~X~X~

Dear Sudbury family and AA,

I recently received these lovely words from a good friend in Uganda. They reflect the warmth of the African sun, make us cry and most of all they remind us of Adrian's smile.

'Today I smiled, and all at once
Things didn't look so bad.
Today I shared with someone else,
A little bit of hope I had.

Today I sang a little song,
And felt my heart grow light.
I walked a happy little mile,
With not a cloud in sight.

Today I worked with what I had,
And longed for nothing more,
And what had seemed like only weeds,
Were flowers at my door.

Today I loved a little more,
And complained a little less.
And in the giving of myself,
I forgot my weariness.

Wishing You Many Smiles
Today and Everyday!'

H2H indeed: Clare what a kind offer you posted here, Steph I hope you're feeling a bit better and out of hospital, and off course I'll keep all my fingers crossed on November 13 for the Campaign of the Year in the Yorkshire Press Awards!

Ann

Hi everyone,

I hope the show went well, and was well attended.

Tina, the week before last my husband planted dozen of tulips in our garden, looking forward to the spring. As you say new beginnings, and just something else to remind us of our dear Adrian.

I feel sure he must be looking on, and he would be so proud of his family. Each time I have seen them on the television they have shown such dignity in their grief.

Laura (LL), are you OK. I haven't seen a post from you recently, just wondering if you are alright. Your comment is usually the first one I read in the morning because you usually post after I have gone to bed.

Love and hugs to everyone. I fear winter is going to be a long one this year.

Ree

Tina, daffodils always make me smile, so I can see why you would chose to plant those! I'm sure you can't wait for winter to be over so you can see them. I do agree, we seem to live in a very unfair world. I can only take small comfort from the fact that we were lucky enough to have been blessed to know such wonderful people, even if they have been taken from us.

Ree, you're right. I think winter is going to be long and tough this year. I'll just have to hold out for snow. (Oxford in the snow is enough to make anyone smile!)

Ann, thank you for the poem. Steph, I hope you are feeling better and out of hospital soon. As always, I'll be praying for you and your husband and family. Everyone else, I hope you have something to make you smile today - even if it is only for a moment.

To all the Sudbury's, you're constantly in my thoughts and prayers.

Nicola
xxx

Hi all, I'm fine!

Just doin a "Tash" - - and got my head in the sand for a little bit . . . reflecting . . . .

Trying to get sons Halloween cossie together - - has to fit over a watersports wetsiut!! : ) !!

Bummed, bummed, bummed not able to attend charity show

Still reflecting on that beautiful memorial!!

Clare, we lost our mmorial programmes were bummed, but how very thoughtful and generous for you to offer to get people more, cause I didn't know how to ask

! : ) !

Now, Steph, thinking of you constantly as always - - tho I know you don't want to "hog" A's memorial (you are ever thoughtful); but it's not like you asked to hog it for your situation or anything (for which we are all thinking of you constantly! ) !
Well, please make sure you know that one thing X!!
Love to all AA everywhere

LL

Laura

and trust Steph to land in hospital the week she tried to set up a Ruggers donor clinic - - Total Sudders Effect or what : ) ? Crazy about that girl!! : ) !

right, LLs on a roll, on a roll - -

going philisophical now - -

Yes, it's an iffysome old world, but it's also the world that created us : )

LL - send me your address and I'll post one out to you. Email me at clare.hum@talk21.com
Clare x

Clare you are too kind!!! Again, biggest thanks as I thought I lost the programme forever and didn't know what to do
Aa is Amazing! X!

DAFFODILS
I have a small yellow paper card with a silk daffodil standing on my desktop in the office. It's from the Marie Curie Cancer Care and it has this beautiful text on it: 'Every daffodil helps someone live their last days with dignity.' Because 'DIGNITY' is so very, very important; in the beginning of our life, during our growing up years and eventually most of all at the end - when we encounter a new beginning...

So, daffodils, yes, I love these sunny and smiling flowers. Forebodes of spring!

xxAnn

Finished reading Adrian's book yesterday,I was reading it very slowly, didnt want to finish it quickly.Love to Adrian's family.

Steph, hope you are feeling better.

Have a nice evening to Adrian's army!

Shiney

Hello all

Just checking in to let you all know I'm still here - and you're all very much in my thoughts - in particular Steph, at the moment.

I've just been informed that our "Airbus Broughton" Anthony Nolan clinic is to be postponed until January. This is due to the fact that the original date, November 26th, coincides with the memorial service planned for Dr Steve McEwan, the ANT's chief executive who tragically lost his life in a road accident a few weeks ago. ...Yet another reminder of what an a**e life can be at times - but all the more reason to move onwards and upwards with the campaign!

Much love to Sudburys, friends and AA everywhere! Charlotte xx

Good luck on the Campaign of the year award, Sudders family and Kate Campling.

Graeme, I wonder if you might have a second to update us about Steph?? Just wondering/worrying. :-(
Hope you're all doing allright.

Lacey

Echoing Lacey - worrying about Steph. Hope you're feeling better, love.XX
-----------------------
Check the Examiner website. This evening's paper reports that £20,000 was raised for ANT at the show Me and My Girl at the London Palladium.
Well done John Sheerman and all concerned. Adrian & Donna will be smiling down on you :)

Much love to the Sudbury family H2H and all family, friends and blog friends everywhere.
Christine M.XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

That's marvellous, well done everyone.

Steph, hope you are feeling better, missing your posts, take care.

My love to Kay, Keith, Carrie, Barbara and Liam, hoping the days aren't quite as dark as they were. Love to all AA.

Ree

Wow! Congratulations to all involved with the show, that is fantastic!

Love and best wishes to all, as usual!

Nicola
xxxx

Echoing the others, hoping and praying

W-O-A-A-H - - 20 K ? ! ? Very great!! Now, the only thing that could make us all happier is hearing from Steph,

Like, after she got the 3 bags; ran the 5 Ks; (unsurprisingly missed) the memorial; the hospital confinement (or three); had a birthday; and then organised a ruggers donor gig (attemt) and promotion - - just about all within a week : )

Gotta Love Ms Total Sudders Effect : ) !

Hey Total Sudders Effect, where are you ? : )

X!

LL

Christine M, thanks for the update!

Glad to know that it was a big success.

Hope you are better now Steph.

Shiney

Been lurking again. The book is brilliant. Steph - keep fighting. It seems Oz govt is using the Give and let live campaign here. Not sure that it's exactly the same as the UK one - but it's a start. I work at a Uni, and all the Blood Bank drives have the bone marrow message flagged loud and clear, so perhaps we, too, are on the right track. Too old myself, but I talk to all my young colleagues, and will continue to do so, Kay Keith, Carrie and Ian - you have my undying respect and admiration for your strength and fortitude over the past months. I only wish I could have hugged you all in person!

Steph (again) Slainte. If I was back in native Edin, I'd be there cheering you on. In spirit - viva AA, Sudders effect and Stepphers effect (Thanks LL)

NO, thank STEPH : )

Once again the cyber hospital waiting room has gone very very very quiet in here

Anything to hear from you Stepphers

LL

X X X X waiting for our Steph X X X X

And all my thoughts up to Auld Reekie tonight

This evening I was watching the animation movie Persepolis on Youtube and I couldn't resist posting this very beautiful scene:

http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=aPjNswFFrvQ

And its latest comment: 'I love this movie and particularly this scene. I have a grandma who smells like night flowers and her hug is deep and safe. Independence starts in those hugs that seem to hold you at bay, but in fact are the driving force to do things on your own but not only for yourself.'

I think Stephanie, that you have a grandma like Adrian's ... to comfort you always!

(I hope you're OK.) Ann

Ann, That's beautiful.

Steph is in our thoughts and our hearts constantly.

To anyone suffering in any way, shape or form.
To Steph & Graeme and to Kay, Keith, Carrie and Barbara I send as ususal Love, hugs and soothing thoughts. H2H
Christine M.XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Hi All,

Just checking in to see whats what. No news from Steph I see, I hope all is OK.

Love to all the Sudbury's, AA's and all xx

(I am not always this emotional, this blog and cause brings out the best in me :))

Oooops... forgot to leave my name.

Tis me.... Em xx

Thinking of Adrian, Adrian's family, friends and AA.

Steph, hope you are doing ok.

Have a nice evening/morning to all!

Shiney

Hugs all around the cyber waiting room

AND STEPH!

LL

Laura

Hi all,

Just checking in. Everything is so quiet now on Adrian's blog.

No word about Steph yet. Steph I hope you are home now and progressing. We all miss you.
My love to everyone, Kay, Keith, Carrie and Barbara you are always in my thoughts.

Laura I love "the cyber waiting room". Such a good description of us all checking in each day, even though our dear Adrian isn't with us. I am sure we all feel his presence in our lives, and for someone that most of us have never met(physically) thats not bad.

Bless you all

Ree

Sorry to post this but I wanted to let everyone who knows Steph. I'm sorry to say that Steph passed away peacefully in her sleep this morning with her family around her. She had bravely fought her leukaemia since august 2007. I'm honored to have known her and anyone that has met her cannot fail to have been touched by her.
Graeme Eckford

NO! NO NO

Oh Graeme, I am so sorry. I think we have all been thinking of her a great deal recently.

It is so difficult to know what to say, just remember you are both in our prayers, and I send my love and sympathy to you and Steph's family.

Bless you

Ree

Dearest Graeme,

I am so, so sorry. Please accept my deepest condolances. I know Steph from H2H and was touched by her humour, determination and love for others.

I hope you find a way to deal with this. Steph will be missed by all her knew her but her memory will stay with us forever.

Wishing you love and strength,
Ingrid

Oh Graeme i also am so very sorry to hear your news. She was so brave. I never met her but felt comfortable leaving a message for her on her facebook page, that explains the silence. Please accept my best wishes for you and your family. Such sad news, take care. Em xx

Dear Graeme, So sorry to hear your sad news. Thank you so much for taking the time to let us know of your very sad loss. She was a very special lady. There are a lot of folk out there thinking and praying for you at this very sad time. Take care, Sandie x

Graeme, So sad, so sorry.
Never met Steph personally, as you know,but her courage and fiestiness was evident to all.
Through H2H she showed us her strength of character and her humour.
We had all grown so fond of her and will miss her dreadfully.
To you Graeme, family and friends I send as always Love, hugs and soothing thoughts H2H.
Christine M XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Graeme,

My heart goes out to you and the rest of Stephanie's family. I knew Steph through H2H and she taught me so much about being positive. She had such a great sense of humor and was so determined to stay positive and help others. I will miss her so much.

--Caitlin
Denver, CO USA

Graeme, I wish there were something I could say to make this easier for you. You and all of Steph's family are in my thoughts and prayers. From her posts on here, she seemed like a really amazing young woman.

Nicola

Graeme this is the news that we have all hoped we would never hear. Steph was a truly wonderful person and it has been a privelage to call her a friend. Another star burns brightly tonight and my heart and hugs are with you and your family this evening and always. x Chris J

Dear Graeme,Steph's family,

So sad to hear this bad news.I was always scared of hearing this news one day.

My deepest condolances.

She was a wonderful person, always happy.I used to wonder from where she got this cheerful nature,positive attitude.In her last post was the only time I saw something negative.

Graeme, I hope god will give you enough strength to face this tragedy.

Heartfelt prayers.

Shiney

Such a waste.... I shall light yet another candle for another beautiful person... RIP Steph

xxxreiki hugsxxx
H2H
dawny

Dear Graeme

Having glanced at the increased number of comments I opened this with a heavy heart . There was only one reason I could think of for this traffic and I hope that gives some insight to how much we have been thinking of both of you .

Love Dan

I can't express how I feel Graeme. I am so proud that I knew Steph - she was always so lovely. All of us that knew her via H2H are truly devastated. Lots of love. XXXXX

Adrian, look after our lovely friend. It brings me comfort to think you have met up. Make sure you share your pork pie ok? Miss you BOTH.XXXX

Dear Graeme

- And everyone who knew and loved Steph - I am SO very sorry - and utterly heartbroken.

I've only come to know Steph recently - through Baldy's Blog and H2H, but like Caitlin, Shiney, Chritine M, LL and everyone else, I was struck by her incredible spirit, energy and enthusiasm for life, in the face of adversity. I feel honoured to have met her - like Adrian, she has enriched my life. She has also strengthened my resolve to do anything I can to help fight this dreadful disease and recruit more bone marrow donors.

I am literally so choked up, I don't know what else to say except my thoughts and prayers are with you.

All my love Charlotte xx

Dear Graeme, no words... Life is so utterly unfair.

From the film 'Wit' (2001) with Emma Thompson:

http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=6Wy92dcZSYw

Once there was a little bunny who wanted to run away. So he said to his mother, "I'm running away."
"If you run away," said his mother, "I will run after you. For you are my little bunny."
"If you run after me," said the little bunny, "I will become a fish in a trout stream and I will swim away from you."
"If you become a fish in a trout stream," said his mother, "I will become a fisherman and I will fish for you."
"If you become a fisherman," said the little bunny, "I will be a bird and fly away from you."
"If you become a bird and fly away from me," said his mother, "I will be a tree that you come home to."
"Shucks," said the little bunny, "I might just as well stay where I am and be your little bunny."
And so he did.
"Have a carrot," said the mother bunny.

Stephanie, you will always stay in our hearts. We'll remember you writing with so much passion and courage about 'your' Edinburgh Run for the ANT on Baldy's Blog . And you did it (which is an incredible task fighting terminal leukaemia)!!!
So very, very sad that today you have lost your last hard and unfair battle against that awful disease. Glad to hear that you had no pain.

"And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."

xxAnn

Graeme, I knew Steph through H2H and have been so proud to call her my friend. She was a wonderfull, funny and caring person and I wil miss her so very much.

Another new star burms brightly in the sky tonight. Goodnight and God bless Steph we miss you already xxxxx

My thoughts and prayers to you Graeme and all stephs family and friends.

((((HUGS)))))
Sarah H2H

Thank you everyone for your comments. What is becoming clear is that the woman I love has touched so many people in such a short time. There is a gaping hole in my life without Stephanie but I am grateful for the time we had together. Steph wouldn't want us to be sad. I hope her and Adrian are keeping each other company and plotting something.

Thanks again, all your kind words mean the wold to me and Stephanie's parents.

Graeme

Dear Graeme, Stephanie's Parents, family and friends. Loving and caring thoughts to you all on the loss of a very, very special person. Two of the brightest stars shine in the sky above tonight and The Stephers and The Sudders effect lives on. Love and Comfort to The Sudbury's and AA too. Caroline

So very sorry Graeme. I loved her spirit and humor and strength. She was incredible and I will never forget her. Peace to you and yours.

Cheers! To the Stephers Effect!!

xx
Lacey

Dear Graeme and Steph's family

So sorry to read this sad post. Steph's amazing strength always came over in her messages. I will remember her for her wonderful positive attitude and humour.
With love

Dear Graeme
Like Dan, my heart was heavy when I logged on this morning and saw that there had been a sudden increase in comments which could only mean one thing. We are so sorry. Stephanie's zest for living shone through all her comments and we can only hope that the love for her so evident on the pages of this blog and on facebook will sustain you and her family in these dark times. Keith and I are also certain that Adrian will have been waiting for her and already chuckles will have been exchanged and mischief planned. Just before Adrian died, I curled up in bed with him early one morning. It was a glorious summer day and as we lay together, fingers laced, listening to the dawn chorus, I had such a strong sense of the journey he was preparing to take. I could feel the bustle of the preparations being made for what Adrian always referred to as his next big adventure - it was as though a great ocean going liner was being stacked with cargo and provisions for the voyage; happy memories,friendships, love and laughter all being carefully but busily stowed away for the journey and all bathed in a wonderful golden glow. And so now Stephanie's voyage has also begun. Journey well, Stephanie, and rest in peace.
With much love
Kay and Keith

Hi To All

I've been away for a while and logged on to read the sad news of Steph's passing. My thoughts are with Graeme and her family at this difficult time. Like Adrian she was a fighter to the end and her posts were always cheerful and positive. Wherever they are, I'm sure Adrian and Stephanie are having a bit of a giggle together!

We must continue to spread the word of the campaign, so that we can try and reduce the number of people who are taken by this illness every year.

Sign up for Sudders and Stepphers!!

Love and peace

Polly
xx

Hi it's me again!

Kay... I have just read your lovely posting and the tears appeared out of nowhere! My son is 17 and he often climbs into my bed on a Sunday morning and we read the papers together and chew the fat over a cup of tea. He's just got his first girlfriend and I love the fact that he can talk to me about her and most things.

I can picture the two of you lying there listening to the birds and drinking in the early morning summer sun. Like you said at his memorial, Adrian will always be your lad, and I think a mother's arms are sometimes the best medicine.

Love and peace

Polly
xx

Me too Polly. Good thing I am here on my own at the moment.

Kay, how lovely of you to share with us such a personal and private moment between you and Adrian. It conjures up a beautiful picture of you both.

I hope Graeme and Steph's family can take comfort from your words, and I just know Adrian will have organised a "bit of a party "for Steph.

So many people in my thoughts at the moment.

Love to everyone

Ree

dear graeme
so sorry to hear the sad news this morning when i logged , i do hope the wonderful words that kay wrote will offer you some comfort, i,m sure steph and adrian wil be munching on pork pie and haribo by know

with much love

jane

What sad news about Steph. Lots of love to Graeme and her family. I really miss Adrians blog c0mments and will also miss Stephs. Hope all the Sudburys are doing ok. Lots of love Mary

Dear Graeme, just discovered your sad news, it was such a shock. She was such a lovely lady,even sponsoring Mark and Sonya in the Great North Run when she didn't know them and had enough to worry about. All your family will be in our prayers tonight. Love from the Leightons. PS love to all the Sudburys too