From Rob King rob@outspokendelivery.co.uk

Dear All,

JH would have been proud that so many made it (estimates of around 500!) and even more impressed that we drank the bar dry of beer by 8.30pm. For me, it was especially good to catch up with old friends. With this is mind, we thought it a good idea to keep everyone posted with an update, so here goes…

Firstly, a word of thanks. The Credlands have been touched by the enormous number of cards, letters, flowers etc from so many. The postman has asked for a pay rise and a special trolley to wheel out the huge bundles of post.

As you all know, the John-Henry Memorial Fund was set up to support the work of charities that JH already had interest in, and also the work of Addenbrookes Hospital and the Oncology department at Cheltenham General, particularly in palliative care. From the moment this was set up, there has been a steady barrage of donations with the total now received well over £7,000. Awesome!

Work is ongoing to set up the Fund as a charity and there is a lawyer involved giving excellent advice on how to cut through the red tape. This should be in place by the New Year and will have a number of advantages. Firstly, the fund will benefit from a tax rebate of 22%, so a donation of £100 is worth £122 to the Fund. It should also mean it will be much easier for certain organizations and businesses to donate (some stipulate that recipients must have charitable status etc). But most importantly, it will leave a lasting legacy which, it is hoped, will grow over the years. The details of the charities to be supported will be down to the trustees, made up from family and a few close friends (at the moment these are Thomas and Joe Credland, Rob King, Ed Taylor and Rachel Kennedy).

It is intended that details about the Fund should be communicated to all JH’s friends and for this reason we are hoping to put together a website. The website will also keep everyone updated about ongoing fundraising events. In the past few months, for example, Chris and Pozza have run the Great North Run, Amy Douglas a 10km race, and Thomas a horrendous half Ironman triathlon.

At the moment, there are lots of ideas for events next year and it would be good to get as many people involved as possible. So if you like doing silly hard man stuff like Thomas, he has his eyes set on things like ‘Tough Guy’ (I needn’t describe the pain) and ‘Man v Horse’, whilst the Newent gang are planning the Great North Run. If on the other hand you prefer a more sedate lifestyle, you could always be a passive participator and cheer on those in pain, whilst sat comfortably in your deck chair. Or better still, take on something like the ‘Real Ale Wobble’: a little bit of cycling and a lot of ale; all in the beautiful surrounds of a mid Wales valley. The options are plentiful and we aim to get a list of events to bring all JH’s friends together, and to have these on the website so it will be easy to get involved.

Whilst we get this together over the next few months, do please send in your suggestions or comments: where you think money from the Fund could be best spent, fun events, and obviously any news of things you have done. For example, Harlow Rugby Club recently raised £1,200 from the sale of rugby memorabilia; news such as this we would like to keep you informed of.

And finally, Mike Credland is looking for something ‘challenging, rewarding and sociable’ to do. Before any of you suggest a pub-crawl around the Gloucestershire villages, he is hoping to do something a little more out of his comfort zone. Perhaps the coast to coast walk (Rob and Zoe; any tips?!). Any ideas gratefully received.

Look forward to meeting up with as many of you as possible over the next year.

Rob /Thomas 

PS If you know of anyone who is currently not on this email list and would like to be, or alternatively anyone who doesn’t want to be, please get in touch and we will add/delete your names.