It’s All That Come’s With It’s blogiversary today. Four years old, can you believe it. And still no signs of slowing down.
Well, ok, there might be some signs of slowing down. Like the fact I used to post daily and now it’s generally two or three times a week. Or that I’ve had all the ingredients for a new special kids podcast for a month now, yet I still haven’t got round to putting them all together.
But that’s not due to a lack of enthusiasm. I’m still as excited about blogging as I ever was. I just spread myself around a bit more these days, that’s all. Take the Midnight Movie Club for example – who knew that talking about popcorn movies from the 80’s and 90’s with a Aussie reprobate would be so much fun?
And then of course there’s this Hadrian’s Walk thing.
Five years ago my very good friends Neil and Rachael lost their three year old son, Joseph. He died of streptococcal pneumonia. There were no warning signs. He wasn’t ill when they put him to bed. But when they went to wake him up in the morning he was gone.
I can’t even bare to imagine how that feels.
Joseph
Determined to grasp something positive out of such a tragedy, Neil and Rachael founded the Joseph Salmon Trust in their son’s name. If he wasn’t to be able to reach his full potential to leave his mark on the world, then they would do it for him.
The Trust provides financial support to parents who have lost a child. This may be to help with funeral costs, or to allow the self employed a break from work in order to come to terms with their grief. Bereaved families have enough to cope with without the added concern about where they will find the money to pay for a headstone, or pay the next electricity bill if they can’t face going to work.
The Trust deals with each family on a case by case basis, providing help to those who need it most. Families that the charity has helped include that of twelve year old Jordan, who died in a prank gone tragically wrong; and Ryan, a four year old boy brutally murdered as an act of revenge against his mother.
These are horrific, heartbreaking tales. But every single family that the trust helps has a similarly tragic story. There are no “it’s probably for the best”’s when a child dies. No “they had a good innings”. Just heartbreak, despair, and a beautiful hope lost. There is nothing we can do to make things better. But we can do something to stop them getting worse.
Back in 2008 a group of eleven friends and I hiked 76 miles along the Dales Way footpath in aid of the Trust. We raised £6,000, gained a great sense of achievement, and had a fantastic time int he process. Back in June of last year I announced my intention to do it all again. But this time I asked if anyone who visited my blog wanted to come with me.
The response was staggering.
As it stands there will be over sixty people joining me on a 86 mile long walk of Hadrian’s Wall this July. People are coming from all over the world to walk the path and show their support for the Trust. We’ve got people from England, Scotland, Ireland, America and Holland. We’ve got paramedics, nurses, policemen, teachers, bankers, writers, editors, and stay-at-home parents. We’ve even got a university professor and an American superior court judge. And all this is through the power of a blog.
Now try telling me that you can’t use the internet to make real friends.
Not everyone who is coming on the walk is a blogger themselves. In fact the majority aren’t (although most are friends or family of those who are and are being dragged along for the ride). But over the coming few days I’d like to use my blog to showcase the bloggers who are coming with me. There isn’t one among them that I don’t admire as a writer and a human being, and sometimes I just like to show off about my friends.
If you would like to make a donation to the Joseph Salmon Trust you can do so on our Justgiving Page. All the charities running costs are paid for corporate sponsorship, and so every penny of your donation will go straight to the people who need it most.
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on Jan 27th, 2010 at 10:57 am
I’ve got a lot of support from friends and colleagues already, and will soon be converting that support into actual money.
We’ll do the Trust proud!
I’m pretty sure that both walks started off being described as 84 miles, and having seen your itinerary for Hadrian’s Walk, my legs are beginning to ache already. Right then. Squash and swimming kit are staying in the car – ready to be donned at every possible opportunity (within reason). Yes, in the car. I’m not walking anywhere just yet…
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Dan Reply:
January 27th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
Kerry´s last blog ..Don’t panic! (26/365)
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on Jan 27th, 2010 at 11:05 am
my online teenage diary..is a must! (well for me anyhow)
john´s last blog ..Goodbye Solo
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Dan Reply:
January 27th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
i wish I could bloody move to rural Wales
Kerry´s last blog ..Don’t panic! (26/365)
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on Jan 27th, 2010 at 11:22 am
Just wanted to thank you and all your readers for the support you have shown both Rachael and I and our Charity.
With the help of this blog you have already raised a staggering amount of money which has gone 100% to help families who are in such pain and need.
I know you’ll raise even more this time around too!
Neil
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Dan Reply:
January 27th, 2010 at 6:13 pm
Kerry´s last blog ..Don’t panic! (26/365)
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on Jan 27th, 2010 at 11:47 am
Would’na be the internet without your blog!
Just in four years time we might be saying the same thing about the Midnight Movie Club, by then we’ll be watching Avatar I suppose.
:P
Lee´s last blog ..The Iron Man 2 soundtrack reads like a “best of” AC/DC
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Dan Reply:
January 27th, 2010 at 6:16 pm
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on Jan 27th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Noble Savage´s last blog ..I had a vision of love
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Dan Reply:
January 27th, 2010 at 6:17 pm
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on Jan 27th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
This is what I like best about blogging, being able to really make a difference where it matters. You know I’d love to do the walk but a lack of childcare means I can’t. But I will add whatever support I can where I can.
Rosie Scribble´s last blog ..Mummy, am I going to die one day?
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Dan Reply:
January 27th, 2010 at 6:17 pm
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on Jan 27th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
Happy Blogiversary and well done as ever on the fundraising.
Steve´s last blog ..Things to do with the Kids – Ball Pits!
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Dan Reply:
January 27th, 2010 at 6:18 pm
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on Jan 27th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
kapgar´s last blog ..And you were right there next to me…
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Dan Reply:
January 27th, 2010 at 6:18 pm
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on Jan 27th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
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Dan Reply:
January 27th, 2010 at 6:19 pm
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on Jan 27th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
Jeff´s last blog ..And if we’re lucky, Debby Harry and Robin Leach may show up!
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Dan Reply:
January 27th, 2010 at 6:20 pm
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on Jan 27th, 2010 at 5:12 pm
Catherine´s last blog ..Attire
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Dan Reply:
January 27th, 2010 at 6:20 pm
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on Jan 27th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
Kevin Spencer´s last blog ..Things I Like About America: Plugs
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Dan Reply:
January 29th, 2010 at 1:14 am
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on Jan 27th, 2010 at 6:34 pm
Ed´s last blog ..What? Do We Live in a Zoo?
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Dan Reply:
January 29th, 2010 at 1:14 am
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on Jan 27th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
Lately, I’ve had some serious doubts about leaving the wife and not-yet-present child behind and going bloody walking for a bloody week, but something tells me it will be worth it.
4 years, impressive.
Martin´s last blog ..Foliage
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Dan Reply:
January 29th, 2010 at 1:15 am
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on Jan 27th, 2010 at 11:07 pm
Arjan´s last blog ..Micmacs à tire la larigot
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Dan Reply:
January 29th, 2010 at 1:16 am
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on Jan 28th, 2010 at 7:46 am
And it is an honor to be involved with Hadrian’s Walk. You’re not only affecting lives in your little corner of the world, but you’re having an influence on so many others. We’ll be paying it forward for years to come. I won’t even mention the fact that your invite was just the kick in the butt I needed to deal with some negative health issues. Oh, I did mention it.
Anyway, congrats and keep writing!
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Dan Reply:
January 29th, 2010 at 1:17 am
And thanks for the kind words. Very much appreciated.
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on Jan 31st, 2010 at 12:39 pm
A Free Man´s last blog ..You might find some fools at your doorstep
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on Feb 6th, 2010 at 7:18 am
[...] dedicated his post to his on going efforts to raise funds for the Joseph Salmon Trust. Read ‘Blogging: 4 years, 1071 posts, and the chance to make a difference‘ to see how you can [...]