Faith, Hope and Charity

Hello Everyone, I'm back! I know you've been wondering where I've been been but in the UK it has been the Easter Hols and I've been under pressure from those Young Masters to be a dutiful mother. Damn their selfish ways - have they no concern for a poor woman in need of a corrective surgery and a large crate of Martini?

Anyway, later next week I will be back with all my usual ramblings and to let you know what is happening in the run up to the UK general election which is proving to be fascinating - certainly the most intriguing election campaign in my lifetime. I will also enlighten you on how I was caught begging - it's not a pretty story but will, in part, also explain my prolonged absence.

However, today I wanted to talk to you about someone who has become a very good friend of mine in the last 2 years or more - and that is Sy, the award winning writer from The Wheel is Turning but the Hamster is Dead. For those who have read his blog you'll know Sy has a wonderful self deprecating sense of humour and is hugely entertaining but he has also many other wonderful qualities including stamina, determination and a heart of gold.

Unbelievably, since last August Sy has lost am amazing 5 stone in weight by cutting out all those lovely yummy goodies and taking up running. He's a saint! I only wish I had his willpower! Anyway tomorrow (Sunday 25 th April) will be the culmination of Sy's efforts when he runs the London Marathon in aid of the children's charity CHILDREN WITH LEUKEMIA.

It's a sad fact that in our lives 1 in 3 of us will be directly affected by cancer - I know Sy has lost both relatives and a former partner through this dreadful illness. I also know there will be many of you out there who will also have suffered from loss a loved one from cancer, as I have, but I think all of us can come together and agree that there is no greater loss than that of a child and that is why I am asking you today to spare a little change - no matter how small - in support of Sy's amazing accomplishments over the last few months. You can can donate (even anonymously) to Sy's chosen charity HERE.

I know Sy has worked extraordinarily hard to achieve this mammoth feat, overcoming not just weight loss but cartilage problems and also the inevitable blister or two!

 Ouch - that looks pretty bad! Never wear new socks and trainers together!

 Working hard and looking pretty trim and athletic - a big difference from the guy I knew who dined on KFC! (Hey - what's Sly Stallone doing in the background?!)

Knackered - after completing a 10 kilometre run in aid of Run for Life (Cancer Research) several months ago.

And tomorrow, Sy aims to run the London Marathon in under 4 hours! Let's hope he can do it - but even if the clock is against him when he crosses the line it will truly be an amazing achievement! I'll be reporting on how Sy gets along next week. In the meantime I know Sy would be very appreciative of any donation in aid of Children with Leukemia.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to read and let's all wish Sy the Best of Luck!