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.
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on Jan 27th, 2008 at 1:46 am
“Makeshift Sinatra”
from the weekend bloghoppers
Darrin’s last blog post..Taco’s for breakfast? You Betcha!
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on Jan 27th, 2008 at 3:41 am
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
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on Jan 27th, 2008 at 3:42 am
Sam’s last blog post..A Worthy Cause
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on Jan 27th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
I’ll write a post about this in the next week or so.
Avitable’s last blog post..AvitaWeek 2008: Lazy Sunday XXV
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on Jan 27th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Payday is coming soon, as is my donation.
Ed (zoesdad)’s last blog post..Babble…..
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on Jan 27th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
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
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on Jan 27th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Bec’s last blog post..I Know I’ve Said It Before.
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on Jan 27th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Bec’s last blog post..I Know I’ve Said It Before.
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on Jan 27th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Maybe it’ll get 1 or 2 more your way.
Much respect.
Xbox4NappyRash’s last blog post..Good Guys
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on Jan 27th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
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on Jan 27th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Lots of mentions between now and the walk from my end.
Gary’s last blog post..Goodbye, goodbye, we’re leaving you goodbye…
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on Jan 27th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Chuck’s last blog post..TechTalk: Protect your network and family with OpenDNS
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on Jan 27th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
[...] have Dan’s site in my Google Reader but somehow I missed his latest post. Thankfully Xbox4NappyRash posted about it and got me to head over [...]
on Jan 27th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
Darren’s last blog post..Friday(ish) Talent Round-Up
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on Jan 27th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
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on Jan 27th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
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
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on Jan 27th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
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
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on Jan 27th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
Despite your flaws, of which there are several, you are good man, Dan.
Whit’s last blog post..Happy Cows & the Milk for Free
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on Jan 28th, 2008 at 5:36 am
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on Jan 28th, 2008 at 8:31 am
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on Jan 28th, 2008 at 10:03 am
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.
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on Jan 28th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
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?
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on Jan 28th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Good luck on your training, I’m reasonably sure you’ll make it.
Jeff’s last blog post..Editorial: Will we be stimulated?
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on Jan 28th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
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!!!
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on Jan 28th, 2008 at 11:51 pm
(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?
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on Jan 29th, 2008 at 2:56 am
Ya quite a friend. The world needs more cats like you. You can count on a donation from cre8Buzz.
Way to go brother!
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on Jan 29th, 2008 at 9:29 am
A great goal! I really need to donate, if only to get that ‘I gave Dan blisters’ add on my blog.
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on Jan 29th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
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on Jan 30th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
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
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on Jan 30th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Donation made.
Keep up the training!
Steve’s last blog post..BBC NEWS | UK | Charity says childcare costs soar
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on Jan 31st, 2008 at 1:22 am
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…
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on Jan 31st, 2008 at 12:34 pm
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!
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on Jan 31st, 2008 at 1:30 pm
WAY TO GO!
motherbumper’s last blog post..A whole new world…
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on Jan 31st, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Jo Beaufoix’s last blog post..Education for the nation
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on Jan 31st, 2008 at 3:12 pm
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.
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on Jan 31st, 2008 at 7:49 pm
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on Jan 31st, 2008 at 9:13 pm
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on Jan 31st, 2008 at 10:37 pm
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on Jan 31st, 2008 at 10:59 pm
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on Feb 1st, 2008 at 12:02 am
[...] About « An Appeal [...]
on Feb 1st, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Jenny’s last blog post..We have the technology
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on Feb 1st, 2008 at 10:34 pm
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!
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on Feb 2nd, 2008 at 3:29 am
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
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on Feb 4th, 2008 at 2:01 am
Jenny-up the hill’s last blog post..The Dales Walk
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on Feb 5th, 2008 at 4:25 am
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on Feb 5th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Jenny – i am sorry for your losses. I have visited your site and have nothing but admiration for you.
Christi – Thank you.
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on Feb 9th, 2008 at 6:58 am
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on Feb 10th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
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on Feb 11th, 2008 at 12:11 am
[...] Some people were super generous with their time and their money. It’s a chore but a profitable one. That reminds me I must post that cheque to Dan. [...]
on Feb 12th, 2008 at 12:52 am
[...] The trust was set up by Dan’s friends Neil and Rachel to honour the memory of their son, Joseph, who died suddenly in his sleep at the age of three. It’s aim, quite simply, is to provide financial assistance to families coming to terms with their loss, and you can find out more about Dan’s walk here. [...]
on Feb 13th, 2008 at 10:50 am
[...] by my close friends in memorial to their son Joseph who died aged 3 in April of 2005. Please look here for further details and consider sponsoring me. Thank [...]
on Feb 19th, 2008 at 12:03 am
[...] by my close friends in memorial to their son Joseph who died aged 3 in April of 2005. Please look here for further details and consider sponsoring me. Thank [...]
on Feb 22nd, 2008 at 2:18 am
[...] I wrote a little about it a couple of posts ago in the imaginatively-titled “Dan’s walk” – and you can find out more at Dan’s site – mainly here. [...]
on Mar 2nd, 2008 at 8:47 pm
[...] by my close friends in memorial to their son Joseph who died aged 3 in April of 2005. Please look here for further details and consider sponsoring me. Thank [...]
on Apr 14th, 2008 at 7:58 am
[...] wikipedia I’ve discovered that he died of streptococcus pneumonia, the same disease that took Joseph. Somehow that means something to me, but I’m not sure [...]
on Apr 20th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
[...] for pictures to go along with a press release I’m putting together for the Dales Walk (go here if you don’t know what I’m talking [...]
on Apr 28th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
[...] round the house, work, and even going to a funeral. But these new boots are meant for walking only, The Dales Walk to be precise, and, while I need to wear them in, I don’t want to knacker them before we set [...]
on May 7th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
[...] just over two months now until the Dales Walk and I’m kicking things up a notch in both my fundraising and my training. This means that the [...]
on Jan 21st, 2010 at 3:55 pm
[...] because I am parent myself five times over, but I was moved recently by a post from Dan over at All That Comes With It. You see, Dan has helped to organize a charity walk to take place this summer, 78 miles in six [...]