rivers2cross

Firstly, I’d love to be posting photos of what happened today, but I have to wait for official permission, so for the time being here’s the story of what happened today…

Yesterday I came up with the idea, based on previous photos taken with the cuddly animals, that it would be a great idea to try and get photos of the new Bowelbabe teddies at some football grounds. Recently, during bowel cancer awareness month, I had tried Leeds United on a Friday afternoon with the other bears and been politely declined when I dropped into the reception area. So, I thought even at short notice it would be best to approach the clubs beforehand. Easier said than done, but with Leeds United and Leicester City on my target list today, and because I was already heading up the M1 to Leeds to see my brother this weekend, I thought it was worth a try.

I put the idea out on social media and asked for help with contacts etc. I had some really good suggestions, so thank you everyone for your help. I had sent out requests to both clubs on social media and email, but not had a response. One lovely contact, Andrea Rich then came on Instagram and suggested I try the Leeds United TV commentator Rich Williams. Bingo he came back with someone at the club, who was expecting an email from me, and so after exchanging emails it was all arranged for today. In fact last night I received the most lovely phone call from a security guy at Leeds telling me where I should go when I got there etc. He was so nice and full of admiration Dame Debs! Nothing from Leicester though…

This morning I had to do a delivery in Northampton before heading up the M1. Although I still hadn’t heard from Leicester, I decided that because I had time in hand I may as well go to the ground and try my luck. When I arrived at the security gate, the security guy firstly said no chance. We got talking and I explained what I was doing and Prince was also winning him over. So I asked if I could take outside the ground photos before leaving, which he hovered over but still a no. He then suggested that I could park up and go into reception and ask. I went there and two lovely ladies listened while I asked if it would be possible to go pitch side with my bowelbabe bear. One of them knew all about Deborah, and she was on side immediately. She made a couple of calls explaining the situation and also how, because I was travelling, it was a there and then opportunity. Well within minutes I was being escorted through the cub shop and down to the pitch. The girl who took me there also had heard of Debs and she herself had lost a close friend to bowel cancer. I can’t thank Leicester enough as I did kind of put them on the spot. It shows that there is no harming in asking as the worst that could have happened would have been a no. Politeness and the force of Deborah that was obviously with me goes a long way x

Next up was Leeds United. The pressure was off with them already having said yes, but the nerves were still there when I got to the security gate, but thankfully they were expecting me. This time a lovely security gentleman would me down the side outside of one of the stands and straight through a gate to the pitch. There is something quite eerie, but also magical about an empty stadium. It was very special.

So I have come away with plenty of photos to post, but as I said I have to wait to be given the official clearance by the clubs. However, what I can say is that Friday the 13th has been a pretty lucky day for me!

Finally I will speak more about this in the coming days, but the news that Mike Peters of The Alarm, who has leukaemia, is suffering with severe pneumonia has come as big blow at the end of a pretty emotional week. He is my musical hero, so I am sending positive vibes and love to Mike, Jules and the family x