Jed and Kezia were offered places on the 2008 trip to Lapland, organised by the “Northern Ireland Children to Lapland Trust“, a relatively new charity, which has the aim of bringing a day of joy to some of the many terminally ill children in our country, and to  some, who although not ill themselves,  have went through a similar situation with a sibling.

It was a magical day for us, and we would like to send a huge Thank You to everyone involved!

This was the second year of this event, and some of the children were from the Royal Victoria Hospital Haematology department, and the rest were connected with the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice.

A fantastic day was had by all, an experience never to be forgotten, right from the airline staff, to the Husky dogs!

Check out their 2008 trip itinerary here , and if you ever come across this charity, do support them. This certainly is a fantastic cause, and this is a wonderful gift for all these children.

That is all I will say, for now, until I can compile some more photographs, but here is one from the summit, on Saturday morning.

Made It!

Below,we have myself, and Kenny Moore, along with our guide Camanda. We reached the top together…I was so glad I had walking poles, to lean on…bent double and gasping! (more about that at a later date, when I can think about it without feeling breathless!)

This is a dreary place, at this time of night, although it seems quite busy. We all feel it is a bit surreal, being on the threshold of this adventure…it is hard to imagine we are going to Africa tomorrow! The aches, and pains that accompany a four hour journey, are a very slight warning for me, of what is ahead.

The Motivation

It was a good time to remind  myself, and Geraldine via text-message, just why I am doing this. The Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice, where wee Keren spent her last week with us, is such a worthy organisation to support, that this…separation from family,  not to mention the (most likely) pain, and toil, that lies ahead for me, will all be worth it. It is another reason to talk about and emphasise how much the Hospice means to us, as a family, we will never forget the way they made us feel part of a family, larger than we could imagine.

I would like to thank everyone who has helped me get to this point, supporting the Hospice so fantastically! Especially the business sponsors and all the individuals, who combined, have made this a very worthwhile venture, for the Hospice.

(thanks also to Stephen, for running over, just now, with another 50c, to keep this connection going!)

I will sign out now…try to get some shut-eye, and if I get internet access again, I will drop-in again!

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As you can see, the weather was fantastic, and I would think it is safe to say that everyone that was there had a great day, with plenty to see and do.

Unfortunately I didn’t manage to catch Bob the Builder driving his tractor (Keith!) although if you visit the Cloughmills Vintage Club website, you can see him in action, as caught by their photographer.

Attractions Include

Appearance by Bob the Builder
Kiddies Amusements
Digger Games
Dog Judging Competition (Bring your dog along!)
Pet Rabbit Show
Amanda Robinson and Fiddling Tom Cameron
Fancy Poultry Display
Old Time Soda Baking
Butter Churning
Spinning Wheel
Side Stalls
Autojumble

With a Vintage Display of:

• Cars
• Commercials
• Stationary Engines
• Motor Bikes

There will also be a VINTAGE DISPLAY OF TRACTORS,This year they are celebrating “50 years of Massey Ferguson” up to the end of the 100 series.

This promises to be a fantastic day for all the family! Come along and enjoy!

As you can see, we had a fantastic day…the weather simply could not have been better!

Thirsty work on the way up…and a well deserved rest at the top for the crowd from Aughnacloy!

Four of us just couldn’t resist the lure of another peak, when we had come so far, and had to take in Slieve Commedagh (767m), which is beside Donard (850m). This was a great addition to the day, and a chance to use the self-timer

That is Slieve Donard in the background.

Another great day was had by all who came, very memorable and enjoyable (although there were a few stiff legs the next day…or two!)

With many thanks to my very enthusiastic, and hard-working team of helpers (a few of whom who were not caught on camera), and a huge vote of appreciation to all who passed through the town, and gave so generously….we raised a fantastic £3,927…(which was then made up to £3,936!)

As if that wasn’t good enough…two individuals, separately, and unknown to each other, wanted us to reach the £4,000 mark! Resulting in a Grand Total of £4,075!

Bed Push…Ballymoney Team!

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the manager of Tesco’s, Ballymoney, who gave permission to collect there, and our baby-sitters who looked after Jed and Kezia so well !

Looks like I’ll have to stretch my original target of £4,000! Fantastic!

I got some encouragement from God this morning, when I read today’s daily reading, from a little calendar in our living room. I felt I should share it with you.

Isaiah ch 45 v 2&3

2 I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:

3 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.

I will keep you posted!

As I have said before, the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice is an extraordinary place, totally funded by public donation. It really does a wonderful work, not just for the patients, but for whole families. The way they took our other two children under their wing, entertaining and helping them, was fantastic…it really was a “Home from Home”. Lofty, the resident rabbit, is still remembered fondly!

If we can help raise public awareness, about the Hospice, while raising some money for them at the same time, we will have a successful day.

If any of you (the readers) are in the vicinity, please give us a wave, or honk your horn, to cheer us on!