Difficult to contain my emotions today as both Bernard and Barbara went out of their way to show their support for the cause. I met them while out on Catherine's Lane collecting 2 bags. Bernard was so enthusiastic in his support and took a leaflet for himself as well as one for a friend. He has got rather disheartened by his own attempts to keep the roadsides around his house clear of rubbish which is perfectly understandable given it is a never ending job. Today provided more examples of the random items people leave behind, this bottle of Pandora's Box perfume was almost full. Bernard was sorry not to have a donation to hand but very quickly acted on his generous impulse, returning a short time later, with a donation of £10. Thank you Bernard, as usually I have already sent it off to Prostate Cancer UK combined with the £5.05 already in the pot. With giftaid the total came to £18.81. It seemed appropriate to continue our practise of using donations to remember men who have lost their fight with Prostate Cancer and today we marked the passing of Mark Kenealy who was so active in the Prostate Cancer UK Forum before his death.
I never met Mark but he played such a massive part in keeping me sane while we were going through it. He was diagnosed too late for successful treatment but through the Forum gave support to so many. His calm, intelligent and perceptive responses to posts are memorable. He understood what a diagnosis meant and the traumas of living with it for both sufferer and their family. Known as Spurspark, he wrote a truly eloquent piece called The Rocky Road which described his path through Prostate Cancer. I took a copy and would like to post it, however, I haven't been able to contact his family and so don't feel it would be appropriate without their permission. Sadly Mark died in 2012, when he was only 52. He is remembered by many for his valuable contributions made all the more notable as he was coping with his own difficult battle.
Barbara deserves her own special mention - so I'll save it until next time, watch out for it.
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