rivers2cross

I don’t need to tell anyone how difficult 2020 has been. A global pandemic, and as a result the devastating impact on treatment for non-Covid patients with serious illnesses such as cancer. Charity’s income have been badly effected as money is so tight all round for everyone. In spite of this the support for my fundraising has been incredible. This year the fundraising has been split between three cancer charities. Bowel Cancer UK, Love Hope Strength and Cancer Research UK. With the wonderful and very generous support form everyone this year’s total figure is just over £2100, so thank you to everyone for every single bit of support.

• Bowel Cancer UK £1036
• Love Hope Strength £250
• Cancer Research UK (in memory of Kelly Smith) £830

I have been going through a period of reflection, and perhaps this is something I need to do in order to look to the future. I’ve now been fundraising for over 8 years, and it really has been life-changing. Meeting so many amazing people, whether it be the people who have been part of my books, people affected by cancer, or the wonderfully generous friends and strangers who have continued to buy the various fundraising items from rivers2cross.com. It’s especially nice when these strangers become friends.

At the beginning of 2020 I found myself in a pretty low place. I had put so much energy into The Record over a 3 year period, and it was a hugely cathartic and brilliant experience to meet so many incredible people. However, looking back on it I think I lost sight of why I had done the book in the first place, and had focused on a fundraising target, which wasn’t the aim at all. I wasn’t very happy or particularly enjoying myself, so I made a few changes. The biggest change was letting go of the book, and once I did that a huge weight was lifted.

Since then I have been doing a lot better, and feel much happier in myself albeit still a little short on confidence, so that needs a bit more work on. I now enjoy the fundraising, and when I need to step back from it from time to time I am now much more able to do that. I am also mindful of the reason why I do the fundraising, and how important raising awareness of bowel cancer (in fact all cancers to be fair) is vital, and also just how badly charities have been affected by the drop in income as a result of Covid. Sometimes out of sadness there are positives to be found. The tragic death of Kelly Smith in the summer was devastating, but with the kickasskell fundraising items I have been fortunate to have not only had some quite wonderful support from Kelly’s family and friends, but have also made new friendships as a result.

My current plan is to have a break from the fundraising for a while – it will give me and all my amazing supporters some time out. Rest assured though I will continue fundraising, whilst maintaining a healthy balance to ensure I continue to enjoy it.

Finally the rivers2cross website will very remain remain open for business, so please keep supporting it and buying bits and pieces as and when you can, and I always enjoy receiving your photos. There’s no doubt I will still do some fundraising posting occasionally, and I will certainly be looking at new ideas for the fundraising going forwards. At the start of this year I had hoped that I would be able to take the fundraising items to events and do some face to face selling, but Covid and the resulting lock-down put paid to that. Perhaps I will get the opportunity to do this in 2021.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year x