It is this blog’s birthday today, and to mark the occasion I am publishing probably the most important post that it will ever see.
As many of you already know, this July I will be walking the the 78 mile long Dales Way footpath. Yes, 78 miles. In six days. And what’s more it was my own idea. Many are predicting it will be the end of me.
I am doing the walk in aid of The Joseph Salmon Trust, a charity set up by our close friends Neil and Rachel in memorial of their son Joseph. In April of 2005 three year old Joseph died suddenly in his sleep. Here is Rachel talking about it in the comments section of this blog:
Hi, this is Joseph’s mummy here. First Dan, I’d like to say a big thank you for what you’re planning on doing. When Neil sent me the link yesterday I was in tears. The bit about coming home to Joseph’s toys as we left them…well, I can’t describe the pain. And it’s still with us. We miss Joseph every day. He was our first child, he was a little smasher, and he turned Neil and I into - hopefully - better people because of who he was. We will always be proud to be his parents.
In answer to your question Whit, Joseph died from streptococcal pneumonia. It’s very rare and it took him, although suddenly, very peacefully. When I went in to him in the morning it was obvious from his posture that he’d just gone into a deeper and deeper sleep and never knew anything about it. This too is what all the medical personnel associated with him told us. There are not many (if any) consolations when you lose a child, but at least he didn’t suffer. And as a parent, it’s one of the things you want most for your child isn’t it?
So Dan, and everyone who’s going to join you - good luck and thank you.
From the comments section of A Prelude to an Announcement. October 22, 2007
The Joseph Salmon Trust supports parents who have lost a child by providing financial assistance to those who need it most. This may be to help with funeral costs or to allow the self employed a break from work while they come to terms with their loss. Grieving families have enough to deal with without worries about where they will find the money to say goodbye to their child or pay the next electricity bill. Nothing we can do can make their situation better, but we can do something to stop it getting worse.
And this is where you come in. Today marks the official start of the fundraising of the walk and I’m looking for donations. Any amount, no matter how small will go towards making a big difference to somebody in the darkest hours of their torment. When you donate you will receive (if you want one) a link on the roll of honor both here and on the Dales Walk blog. You also get the right to place one of these magnificent badges (designed by the delightful Mr Oli Walker) on your website or blog. You can either right click and save the picture from here, or I can email you the html code to insert into your blog.
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In addition, if you could find the time to write own short post about the walk, or just copy and paste this one and put it on your blog, I would be eternally grateful. The more promotion the event gets the more money we are likely to raise.
So what are you waiting for, donate by credit/debit card via justgiving.com:
or you can email me (dghughes28@yahoo.co.uk) for details how you can donate via post.
All the participants are paying for their own food, accommodation, and equipment, and so any donation goes directly to the charity itself. In addition Neil has sworn that the administrative costs of the Joseph Salmon Trust will come purely from corporate sponsorship, so everything goes directly to the people who need it most.
We have a real chance to make a difference here. Thank you.
Memorial to Joseph at Chester Zoo
Some links:
- Roll of Honour
- The genesis of the walk
- The Dales Walk Blog
- The Joseph Salmon Trust Website (coming live at some point next week)
- Article in the local paper
***Update 28/01/08***
As of 10am this morning we’ve so far raised $235, and there is hopefully more to come. Please keep it coming; any amount, no matter how small, will make a real difference to someone’s life.
***Update 29/01/08***
The total is now standing at $380. Thank you so much to everyone who has given money. A special mention to cre8Buzz who were magnificently generous, particularly as I only signed up to their site yesterday. If you haven’t signed up to their social/blog networking site then go do so now.
If you haven’t yet given and feel in a position to do so then anything you can spare will be very appreciated.
***Update 31/01/08***
Sorry for being a little bit absent. My damn internet is down yet again. But the total continued to rise in my absence and now stands at a staggering $560. I have been amazed by people’s kindness and generosity. Thank you so much.
***Update 01/02/08***
The total now stands at a staggering $625, thank you so much. The level of generosity shown has left me breathless at times. I had hoped to raise around $150 from the blog, and even then I thought I was probably being overly optimistic. But I hadn’t counted on how wonderful the blogesphere is.
Again thank you.
Although I’m going to start pumping out my regular brand of claptrap on the blog again, the appeal is far from over. I have no target here other than “as much as humanly possibleâ€. Every penny received will go directly to those who need it most. Please keep money and the links coming in. As Whit most eloquently said on his blog:
There are many good causes in the world and I know that times are tight, but this, my friends, is something worthwhile. This is for the love of a little boy gone and the parents that remain.
It is to help those parents that have nightmares ahead.
***Update 11/02/08***
We’re up to an amazing $745 now. Thank you so much to everyone who has donated and everyone who has given me a plug on their blog. It is unbelievable how generous people have been.
My training is going well, since I started this appeal I’ve been walking at least six miles three times a week. The aching the day after is starting to reduce, but I’m still not relishing the prospect of walking 17 miles for three days in a row.
Your generosity is making it all worth it however. Please consider giving if you haven’t already, and again thank you to everyone who has.
Wow, what a moving post. Found you from weekend bloghopping, and I’m so glad I did. Cheers,
“Makeshift Sinatra”
from the weekend bloghoppers
Darrin’s last blog post..Taco’s for breakfast? You Betcha!
Hi Dan, a very important pot indeed.
The donation is on its way. Maybe we can do some training if I make it back to the UK before July?
I will try and direct what people I can over here using whatever means I can.
Sam’s last blog post..A Worthy Cause
Post … I meant post.
Sam’s last blog post..A Worthy Cause
Fucking devalued dollar. The amount I donated is probably only worth like a Euro and a half.
I’ll write a post about this in the next week or so.
Avitable’s last blog post..AvitaWeek 2008: Lazy Sunday XXV
Powerfully moving post. And as a parent might I add–frightening. After reading Rachel’s words last night–before I even finished the post–I was overwhelmed with the urge to check on my kids. She is an extra ordinary woman and I applaud and admire her strength.
Payday is coming soon, as is my donation.
Ed (zoesdad)’s last blog post..Babble…..
Darrin - Children dying is probably as emotive as it gets. We are incredibly proud of Neil and Rachel.
Sam - Thanks, I appreciate it.
Avitable - Thanks so much for the donation, you’re a officer and a gentleman. Every penny counts, and the dollar isn’t all that devalued. At least I’m not soliciting donations from Zimbabwe. Don’t let the exchange rate it put you off, it really isn’t that big a difference.
Ed - Rachel found the strength to get up during Joseph’s funeral and give a overwhelmingly moving and tender eulogy. I am in awe of both her and Neil’s courage.
Dan’s last blog post..An Appeal
Donating by post - you are amazing y’know. Just amazing.
Bec’s last blog post..I Know I’ve Said It Before.
Oh and happy blogiversary!
Bec’s last blog post..I Know I’ve Said It Before.
Dan, I’ve popped off a (very) little something and I’ve put up a quick post about this over on my blog.
Maybe it’ll get 1 or 2 more your way.
Much respect.
Xbox4NappyRash’s last blog post..Good Guys
What you’re doing is great. I shall donate.
Dan you bas’tad, you’ve made water come from my eyes again - I’ll be clicking the link in the office tomorrow, I reckon if I sneak a little bit at a time on the company credit card they’ll never see it down in Birmingham…
Lots of mentions between now and the walk from my end.
Gary’s last blog post..Goodbye, goodbye, we’re leaving you goodbye…
Dan - That is indeed a very special post and act. The donation has been made and a post on our site will be published very soon.
Chuck’s last blog post..TechTalk: Protect your network and family with OpenDNS
By donating do we incur any liability if anything happens to you on the walk? Just kidding…good luck with the fund. Maybe we should wait for the dollar to increase in value a bit. Think it’ll do that by July?
Darren’s last blog post..Friday(ish) Talent Round-Up
We’re getting a treadmill on Wednesday. I’ll be thinking about you when I look at it with fear. Maybe I’ll even last more than a minute. Good luck.
Dan, what a moving post and cause - you’re doing a truly wonderful thing and were I not thousands of miles away, I might join the walk myself. I will certainly send a donation to the cause and maybe a few pairs of extra socks to you??
I’m hugging my kids the moment my hands leave my keyboard…
Organic Mama’s last blog post..My favorite scam mail: Nigerian money laundering
Bec - Thank you very much.
Xbox4NappyRash - I wouldn’t call that “little”. Thank you very much. And thanks so much for the mention on your blog.
Jason - Thank you very much.
Gary - Ah, the sweet smell of embezzlement. You still up for joining us on a day or two?
Chuck - Thank you so much, you are exceptionally generous.
Darren - I have no idea about the dollar, but as I said before, don’t let that stop you. And should I get a sprained ankle you can bet I’m suing your arse.
People in the Sun - Perhaps I could do the whole walk on a treadmill, less rain and less hills that way.
Organic Mama - Thank you very much. And I think everyone holds their kids a little tighter when they think about the fragility of life.
Dan’s last blog post..An Appeal
As you know I was, and continue to be, touched by this cause and what you are doing for your friends and others in that terrible situation.
Despite your flaws, of which there are several, you are good man, Dan.
Whit’s last blog post..Happy Cows & the Milk for Free
Wow. That’s an amazing thing you’re doing — 78 miles! And what a touching story. I just couldn’t imagine going through that myself.
My donation is whizzing it’s way to you as we speak - well done Dan for all your hard work and effort. I look forward to keeping up with your efforts up to the big walk.
Whit - Thank you. I think.
Dorky Dad - Yeah, I’m hoping that after the first 77 miles things should start getting easier.
Helen - Keep an eye on the Dales Walk blog. there is even a plan to update it from the road, but I’m not entirely sure of the logistics of that yet.
Small donation sent to Dales Walk - not enough for this good cause. Good luck with the training; you’ll keep us posted on that, too, right?
Dan - Happy to donate, I’ll make note of it later this week on my blog.
Good luck on your training, I’m reasonably sure you’ll make it.
Jeff’s last blog post..Editorial: Will we be stimulated?
Dan, WOW!
One of my deepest fears is losing a child!
My donation has been sent!
Walk safe my friend!!
:)
Jeff S’s last blog post..Happy Birthday!!!
Will link to this post tonight and leave it up top until tomorrow afternoon. I can’t even imagine how awful it would be to lose a child. Good for you for helping them out and, um, walking all those miles.
(Oh and I’d donate using that button but my paypal account is all messed up. So I’ll email you for a snail mail address).
Nina’s last blog post..What rhymes with annoy?
Dan,
Ya quite a friend. The world needs more cats like you. You can count on a donation from cre8Buzz.
Way to go brother!
I’ll look into this somewhere next weekend.
A great goal! I really need to donate, if only to get that ‘I gave Dan blisters’ add on my blog.
Dan I need to send you your Fit Friends badge but I don’t have your email. Contact me at mommified me at gmail dot com so I can send it over.
dan, the company i work for will triple any donations i make. not sure how to go about that through paypal though. any suggestions? as Avitable notes, tripling the amount might bring it back up to the pre-bush years.
bon bon’s last blog post..out of the mouth of adults
A noble effort in a worthy cause. I was almost in tears reading Rachel’s words. (Only the fact I was at my desk at work held them back!).
Donation made.
Keep up the training!
Steve’s last blog post..BBC NEWS | UK | Charity says childcare costs soar
Very moving and a great challenge ahead of you…
Doing a little Blog Hopping when I have a little time and not dozing off due to 2 active boys, a new baby and no sleep…
Lise M - Thank you so much. People have a tendency to say there donations are small when in reality they are extremely generous.
Jeff - Thanks Jeff, your lackluster confidence in my ability to make it past a day without a heart attack is inspiring:)
Jeff S -Thank you, you’re a good egg.
Nina - i’ll email you with an address shortly, I need to arrange to have an “agent” in the states first as UK banks won’t take US checks.
Antman - Your incredibly generous donation rendered me genuinely speechless when I saw it. thank you so much.
Arjan - Cheers, Oli informs me he is willing to create some custom banners for a small donation to the charity if you are interested. More on this later.
CamiKaos - I’ve emailed you.
bon bon - I’ve emailed you too.
Steve - Thank you. The training is going relatively well despite the weather. it would help if I wasn’t such a lazy git though.
A Man among Mommies - Happy blog hopping!
OMG you are the best friend ever. I’ve donated what I can and I want to hear about all blisters (well) earned on this walk. I would love to post a button so I’ll try saving from here. I’ll email for the code if I have any problems.
WAY TO GO!
motherbumper’s last blog post..A whole new world…
Hi Dan, I came over form Cami’s blog to see a fellow Fit Friend and your post really touched me. My little one turned three a week ago, and I also have a seven year old. I can’t imagine what little Joseph’s mum and dad must have gone through. A donation is winging its way, and I will post about this hopefully tonight. It’s a wonderful idea, and I imagine a well needed resource. You are a true gent. Good luck with the walk.
Jo Beaufoix’s last blog post..Education for the nation
Will be putting a link up this weekend.
Will make a paypal donation now in the name of Matthew Anderson Romney, who passed away January 20, just 2 weeks after he was born. Thanks for this opportunity.
Bogart in P-Towne’s last blog post..Don’t Lie, You Have One Too.
Hey Dan…sorry to chip in so late…I was out of town for a week. Hope things are going well with your efforts!
Tracy’s last blog post..Our Tiny Little Foodie
You are so awesome. This touch my heart. I’ll copy and paste this into my blog tomorrow.
Corey’s last blog post..Love Bears All
Dan, what a touching, heartfelt post! Best of luck to you and everyone involved!
Avery’s last blog post..It Could Happen
What a beautiful thing to do…a truly worthy cause.
Jenny’s last blog post..We have the technology
Motherbumper – Thank you very much. Let me know if you need a hand with the code.
Jo Beaufoix – Thank you very much, both for the donation and the link. I really appreciate it.
Bogart in P-Towne – My thoughts go to Matthew’s parents.
Tracy – You’re not late at all. This is going to be an ongoing thing. Things are going better than I could have ever expected.
Corey - Thank you very much
Avery – Thank you.
Jenny – Thank you too!
Dan -
The Egel Nest has made a donation. Good luck with your cause :)
Bradley
The Egel Nest
bradley egel’s last blog post..Egel Nest Road Trip Recap…The Trip Home…Day 8
What a wonderful way to encourage parents who have lost children. I myself have lost two and I can imagine how you have really touched Joseph’s parents greatly. I’ve donated and posted about your group over at Gus’ Gang. I hope others who read my blog (maybe three all together! lol) will also donate. Thanks for being so huge-hearted!
Jenny-up the hill’s last blog post..The Dales Walk
My heart goes out to the family that lost the little boy. I have a very good friend that lost a little girl at birth. I have five little ones of my own. I can’t imgaine lossing any of them. I wanted to stop by since you came by my blog and wanted to say hi. I wish I could donate to help. But with your fincines right now it isn’t possible. But I will keep you in my prayers.
Bradley - Thank you very much. You’re an officer and a gentleman
Jenny - i am sorry for your losses. I have visited your site and have nothing but admiration for you.
Christi - Thank you.
late to the party here, but just gave a bit. CHEERS!
PG’s last blog post..Project 365 // Day 7
We nearly lost our son to strep pneumo a few years ago. This broke my heart. You are doing a wonderful thing.