A letter of thanks

Dear Ella,

Had to take a break from writing to you last night and write to lots of other people instead (see below).

A fantastic  Team Ella gathering on Sunday - the Bristol 10k.  We laughed as we shivered at the starting line thinking about what you would be thinking - "you must be mad, getting up early on a damp and chilly May morning to run 10k - wouldn't catch me", but I know that overall you would be fairly amazed and what we are continuing to achieve for the TCT in your name - and our ability to come together and somehow feel a little tiny bit better about you not being here.

We were all magnificent.

Lots of love

Mum
Xx

Hi Team Ella,

A massive thank you for all your hard work and support on Sunday - running, walking, staggering, cheering, baking, eating - what ever you did, it was brilliant and everyone seems to have enjoyed the day.  They were buzzing at SACO today.

In January I wrote to you all to say the Remembering Ella Redman total was at £105,000 and laid out my plans and hopes to move it up-to £110,000.  As the pages stand tonight we are fast approaching £115,000 - simply amazing, £10,000 in just over four months, much of this coming from the Run For Ella Bristol 10k - but very valuable other efforts as well.

"What next?" was a question I was asked many times on Sunday, there clearly is an energy and desire to do more for the Teenage Cancer Trust in memory of Ella.  We have no "big" events lined up as such - we (being the hard core team) felt it was too much to do and ask for more this year when everyone did and gave so much last year.  But - you are an extraordinary bunch of people and the network of people that you all know.   On a regular basis I am told about events and initiatives that people are arranging  and going about to raise money, these include: 

SACO are planning events such as a jewellery sale and a five aside football tournament 

St Albans Drama Club - continue to raise money

A friend of Bob Tarzey's - is setting about a very special project - more about this soon

Talk of a dog rescue event being arranged

A pub event in Hanham - courtesy of "mankini man" and family

Bristol half marathon team - save me please!

"On we go" - one of my favourite phrases and indeed "on we go" finding ways to gather and remember Ella and in doing so raise funds for a charity that meant a lot to her.

I am just finalising details with Ashton Park school - who are so magnificently arranging to plant a tree in Ella's name in the school grounds and place a bench.  For those who would like to - It would be lovely to gather there on Saturday 19 July and simply be together with no fund raising pressure, weather permitting perhaps a picnic and so on.  Will let you know asap - but hold the date.

With much love and thanks

Jo

X

Apologies If I have missed anyone off this e mail - please feel free to forward on