Foggy Pulls Out The 'Stops' to Raise Over £3500

Local lad Chris 'Foggy' Curtis has raised an astonishing £3,639 for Sophie’s Appeal in a special ‘Stoptober Challenge’ - to give up alcohol for one whole month.  Chris Curtis (36) used to drink 10 pints a day, every day, for the last 19 years, usually at his regular watering hole – The Grantham Arms in Eastleigh.  His partner did not believe he could abstain from his favourite tipple, so Chris was determined to prove her wrong.

Over the coming weeks, 165 of his friends and family supported the challenge, which lasted the entire month of October.

Chris commented: “I decided to take part in the challenge to prove to my partner Natalie that I could do it.  She told me categorically that I wouldn't be able to, and now she’s so proud.  I chose to raise money for Sophie’s Appeal because it’s a charity that is close to my heart.  I have known the Barringer family for a long time and regularly go to their fundraising events.  It was really tough, especially the first couple of weeks, and I absolutely loved my first pint after completing the challenge. Without a doubt I have exceeded my expectations, I never dreamt I would raise that amount of money and I have to admit I do feel healthier.”

Chris presented the enormous donation to Sophie’s Appeal Patron and ex-Southampton footballer James Beattie, at The Grantham Arms his local watering hole.  The monies will go towards families and their sick children having some much needed family time together, visiting Marwell and enjoying the Santa experience, along with trips to see Cinderella and Shrek the Musical at the Mayflower Theatre.

Lin added: “What Chris has achieved is amazing, and he will be putting a smile on so many children’s faces over this festive season and beyond.  10 years ago today Sophie lost her battle to Wilm’s Disease and to receive this money from Chris today on the anniversary of Sophie's passing is a fitting tribute to her lasting memory.”

Eastleigh Christmas Lights up Appeal!

A huge thankyou to Lin Barringer, Julie and Bethany Armstrong.

Having put up with a wet start they were soon making new friends and bumping into old at the Christmas Lights switch on street market in Eastleigh.

The girls promoted the charity whilst helping raise £211.71 on their stall. With donations from Sophie's supporters the tombola was a huge success!

Thanks to fabulous support from the community and the generous donors, you know who you are!

Masonic Support from the Mayflower Lodge

Mike was pleased to represent Sophie's Appeal at a presentation ceremony by the Freemasons of Eastleigh and Chandlers Ford.

Freemasonry is second only to the National Lottery in the amount of money donated to charity. Their valued support was on show today for over a dozen local charities.

Sophie's Appeal was the grateful beneficiary of a cheque for £600 donated by the members of Mayflower Lodge.

The Weasel Escapes

Dan Robinson and Rebecca Taylor from Pontefract Paranormal

Escape artist and supporter of Sophie's Appeal, Dan 'Weasel Dandaw' Robinson has managed a feat that even the Great Houdini refused to attempt. Dan was challenged by Pontefract Paranormal to escape from the condemned cell at York Castle prison, the same cell that the notorious highway man Dick Turpin spent his final days.

Dan was searched by a paramedic before the attempt to ensure that he was not concealing anything to aid his escape.  He was then shackled and chained to the wall of the cell of York Castle Prison.  The solid oak door was then closed and locked from the outside and Dan was left to try and escape.

In less than 17 minutes on Halloween, The Weasel burst from the cell to the amazement of the gathered crowd...and to the amazement of himself!

You can still show your support for this fantastic feat by texting 'SOPH31 £3' or however much you think Dan deserves to 70070.

For photo's and more news on Dan's escape, click here.

Can the Weasel Escape?

Mike's Great South Run 2014

Airport Support - from left John Foskett, Hayley Richardson,

Mike Barringer and Jim McIntosh

Earlier this year, Mike was challenged to take part in the Bupa Great South Run in Portsmouth.

With the help of friend, Hayley Richardson, Mike pounded the streets of Eastleigh whilst shedding the pounds in preparation for the run.

Come race day, he still hadn't made the 10 mile mark but, having lost over 3.5 stone was as ready as ever.  The weather was ideal for the run and surrounded by friends and colleagues from the Southampton Airport and with the knowledge that so many supporters of Sophie's Appeal had sponsored him to complete the challenge there was just a small matter of 10 miles ahead!

He thinks it's all over...

Mike completed the run in just over 1 hour and 51 minutes and thanks to the generosity of his supporters raised over £500 for the charity.

Thanks Mike...what's next?

If you wish to support Sophie's Appeal and would like to donate, Mike's Just Giving page is still open.  Just click here 

Sun Shines on Bishopstoke Carnival 2014

The beautiful weather and the generous crowds visiting our stall at the Bishopstoke Carnival on Glebe Meadow made ourtombola a tremendous success.

Thanks go to Sue who organises our stall every year and also to Lin and Penny for helping on the day.  They raised £146 and were left with an almost empty table!

Of course none of it would have been possible without the most important ingredient...you!  Thanks to all who visited our stall and made the day such a success.

Family Fun Day

Families came together to enjoy an afternoon of fun and games at the Alma Inn public house in Upham on 9th August.

Thanks go to the Alma Inn and in particular to Carla Watson, family and friends for organising the fun packed day and raised over £400 and raise the profile of Sophie's Appeal.

Carla said, 'I remember playing with Sophie and just felt that I wanted to do something to help her fantastic Appeal.  What better way than provide a day of family fun that I know she would have loved.'

Cherbourg Football Club's 9th Charity Tournament

Cherbourg Football Club's Annual Tournament took place yesterday, on one of the hottest days of the year.  We were delighted that our patrons James and Sarah Beattie were able to attend and provide photo opportunities.

Congratulations to Cherbourg A who lifted the Winner’s  Cup for the first time since the tournament began 9 years ago. They defeated AFC Spirit 2-1 in an exciting final. Third place was contested between Stumpy FC and Shotgun Bang ,two new entries to the tournament, with Stumpy FC winning 1-0.

13 teams entered the tournament helping us to raise over £600 for Sophie's Appeal.

Thanks to all who took part, the officials of the day Steve Currie and Gary Cash.  Our sincerest gratitude also must go to Melvin Laney, Chairman and Founder of Cherbourg Football Club and to Edwina Martin, Penny Stanger and friends for their hard work in the months leading up to the event making the day such a success.

Wyndham Worldwide - J.P Morgan Corporate Challenge 2014

Our tremendous thanks go to the team from Wyndham Worldwide who completed the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge in Battersea Park on 10th July and raised a fantastic total of £1023.26 for the Appeal.

The team has requested that we use these funds to help support a very poorly child and their family to escape from the stresses and strains of hospital life and spend a break away courtesy of our partner Beyond the Moon.

Without the help of fundraisers like these, we cannot help give families precious memories that will last them a lifetime.

Thanks to the team and all who supported them!

Theatrical Escape

Thanks to your continued support, we have been able to help six poorly children spend an afternoon away from the hospital with their families.

Sophie's Appeal provided theatre tickets to the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton, just a short drive from the hospital.

The children thoroughly enjoyed the show and it gave them a few hours away from hospital life to get immersed in the atmosphere, songs and entertainment and to forget about their illness for a short while.

Thanks again to you all for continuing to help us make life for children fighting cancer a little more bearable.

Mandy's West Highland Wander - Day 5

Well we have bloody done it!

Mandy and Paul have completed their 5 day challenge to conquer the West Highland Way.

A really hard 22 miles in 10 hours left mandy saying, ‘We now know why people don't really do this in 5 days!!. We have met people from Germany Australia Netherlands America Wales Scotland England all varied in ages and all just taking it easy to get to fort William’

We both feel a massive sense of achievement and I'm very emotional. Loving all the support from family and friends and I can't wait to get home to my family.

What a fantastic achievement. To show your support and thanks to Mandy for supporting Sophie’s Appeal, please visit her JustGiving page and leave her a message. Just click here

Mandy's West Highland Wander - Day 4

Well, a rather pink Mandy and Paul have completed day 4 of their challenge. 19 miles through the highlands with amazing views and weather. With temperatures of 20+ and no shade at all, the Aftersun is definitely called for!

Wild camping is called for tonight as there is no proper campsite. Mandy said,

‘It's behind a pub so I'm sure we will be ok!’

The last leg sees 22 miles to get to Fort William.

Mandy also added. ‘I’m very teary about all the latest donations and words on encouragement can't believe we have actually smashed the target.’

You can follow their progress updates on the web. Click here

To read more of Mandy and Paul's story and to show your support, click here

Mandy's West Highland Wander - Day 3

Well they’ve completed day. Mandy and Paul have battled their way through 13 miles of the forest section in temperatures often exceeding 23C.

Mandy said, ‘We’re roughing it now,

Sleeping with the wee beasties

Half way!

You can follow their progress updates on the web. Click here

To read more of Mandy and Paul's story and to show your support, click here

Mandy's West Highland Wander - Day 2

Mandy and Paul have completed day 2 of their West Highland Way Challenge.

With 21 miles covered over mountainous terrain in temperatures often over 20C, it’s no wonder Mandy said,

“I’m knackered today!”

You can follow their progress updates on the web. Click here

To read more of Mandy and Paul's story and to show your support, click here

Mandy's West Highland Wander - Day 1

Having started the day on a greasy fry up it was after a gruelling first day of over 20 miles covered for Mandy and Paul.

Paul said ‘We’ve done it – 7 hours.

There was this chronic hill, well I think it was more of a mountain!’

You can follow their progress updates on the web. Click here 

To read more of Mandy and Paul's story and to show your support, click here

Mandy's West Highland Wander

Well, she's off! Mandy Grinyer has started her journey north of the border to conquer the West Highland Way.

96 miles in 5 days!

Mandy and her brother, Paul Hollands, have set themselves this challenge to raise money for Sophie's Appeal. Read more of her challenge and show your support by helping her reach her target click here

Sophie's Appeal Annual Summer Ball

What an amazing night we had at our annual Sophie's Appeal Summer Ball.

With entertainment from Mike Brown our fantastic table magician, talented young saxophonist Callan Jones, the Spitfire Sisters and fabulous dance from the girls at Parkwood School of Dance our guests were entertained throughout.

A big thankyou to Russell Parker our loyal master of ceremonies, the committee who worked tirelessly on the night and finally thank you all for coming, supporting Sophie's Appeal, and helping us raise in excess of £6500.

For a selection of photos from the evening, courtesy of Megan Scanlan, click here

Lucy's Leap

'I'm a nutter and an absolute adrenaline junky!'

 Those were the words of Lucy Sheridan when she signed up to a sponsored sky dive in aid of Sophie's Appeal.  Why anyone would want to jump out of a perfectly serviceable aircraft is beyond me!

Jump she did and , with sponsor money pouring in, she is well on her way to raising her target of £1000.  You can still sponsor her, click here.

Want to know what you are missing out on?  To watch her video, click here.

Airport Sweeps Together to Donate £100

Southampton Airport has generously donated £100 to Sophie’s Appeal following an afternoon of sprucing up the approaches to the airport ready for the summer.

18 members of staff from across the airport volunteered to clear the roadsides, bushes, pavements and car parks of litter and other items including old traffic cones, an 8ft piece of wood, matting, cables and metal stakes to name just a few!

Luke Mosley, Airport Duty Manager and organiser of the event, said:

“Everyone cares deeply about keeping the airport spick and span so with the added motivation of raising money for charity, it encouraged people to get stuck in with gusto.”

Sophie’s Appeal funds the regions first ‘Beads of Courage’ scheme.

Sophie’s Appeal is funding the regions first ever Beads of Courage programme for children receiving treatment for cancer. Beads of Courage is an inspirational scheme which honours the children’s courage and bravery, through the collection of handmade decorative beads from around the world. Each individual bead represents a specific treatment received such as; blood transfusions, chemotherapy sessions, bone marrow transplants, scans, dialysis, drug trials and much more.

The programme started in America in 2004 and was soon rolled out in Japan and New Zealand. In its infancy in the UK, the initiative is being rolled out at Southampton General Hospital’s Piam Brown Children’s Ward, and the running costs have been funded by a donation from Sophie’s Appeal.

Major benefits of the programme are that it helps to decrease distress, provides a coping strategy and helps children find meaning in illness. The programme also provides something tangible that a child can use to tell family and care-givers about their experience during treatment. The beads also help explain to teachers and friends what has happened to them whilst they have been away from school.

One of Sophie’s special hospital friends, eighteen year old Hannah Wright (pictured) has been participating in the scheme since December 2011. She has collected 10,868 beads so far (as at July 2013) during her treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaeima Philadelphia Positive. (ALL ph+) and managed to collect the beads for treatment she has received since 2004. She said: “The beads make something positive out of horrible experiences and it's nice to get special beads when something is over and done with. They make people realise exactly how much you go through and it's not 'just ' chemo you have to deal with. The beads also make it easier to tell people your experiences and of course they are really pretty. When my doctors ask if I will have extra treatment or tests I just tell them,

 "It's all about the beads!"

Lin Barringer, Sophie’s Mum and Charity Founder, added, “Sophie would have been proud of her beads and would have talked to and educated her family and peers about her experiences. It is such tangible evidence of what these children have gone through in their personal battles to fight this disease. It is their journey, their story. For me, as a Mum, I wish this programme had been available to Sophie. She would have been proud of her beads. For a grieving family, I am sure during our darkest days Sophie’s beads would have in some way given us some comfort, would have helped us talk about our feelings, just as she had. For us Sophie would have lived on through her beads."

Here Come the Girls

Thank you to everyone who came to our 'Here come the girls' evening at the Fleming Park Bowling Club.

Over £500 was raised!

Thanks also to all the stall holders, helpers and fundraising team for a lovely evening.