Page 77 - Phonebox Magazine November 2014

INTRO
Hey guys how are you this month?
So last month was Halloween; what did you all get up to? Any of you go trick or treating? As well as Halloween we also had half term, did any of you go anywhere nice? I spent most of my time with the family, catching up with homework (such fun) and learning lines for drama. Sounds like so much fun right?
Now we find ourselves in NOVEMBER, you all know what this means... IT’S MY BIRTHDAY... and bonfire night of course! Olney is yet again going to put on another amazing firework display on Sunday 3rd November on the recreation ground just behind the football club, gates will be open at 5pm and the display will start at 6:30pm. There’s loads on not just fireworks; there’s going to be plenty to do and eat including a fair, hot chocolate and so much more. Make sure that you’re there on Sunday 3rd November for the! I hope you all had a lovely half term and a lovely November. Bye Phoebe.x
Teen Scene
CHECT CHARITY SWIM
On the 21st September a mad but brave bunch (including my mum) took up the challenge of swimming the length of Lake Windermere – that’s a distance of 10.5 miles!
The swimmers were: Brian Thorogood (Olney resident), Julian Cooke, James Young, Hannah Thorogood, Conor Gissane, Dani Lobo, Frank Maskell, Wayne Carter and my mum, Sarah Bland (Olney resident).
The Challenge: to each swim the length of Lake Windermere, to raise money for CHECT and raise awareness of retinoblastoma. CHECT, the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust is a small UK charity for families and individuals affected by retinoblastoma. Retinoblastoma is one of the less common cancers of childhood, in the UK between 40 and 50 children are newly diagnosed each year. Retinoblastoma generally develops before 5 years of age and some children are born with the cancer. CHECT offers support, funds research and raises awareness for this lesser known cancer. The Childhood Eye Cancer Trust relies on the generous support and charitable donations of its members, families, friends and local communities.
Swimming 10.5miles is never going to be easy and after having 2 operations on your leg and on-going nerve problems and problems with pain and walking it definitely doesn’t make it easier. This is why I’m so proud of my mum, she might’ve been crazy but I’m still proud of her. It definitely isn’t something you can just do on the day - there is lots of preparation needed to be able to complete the full 10.5 miles.
In fact, all swimmers had their own personal challenges but all have said how amazing the organisation was from Brian & Brenda Thorogood, Joy Felgate (CHECT CEO) and Fiona Heath (fund raising manager) – not forgetting Lissa, Reneice, Mike and Debbie and all the can shaking volunteers! The safety boat was manned by their Hotel director: Ken Burchill (of the Hydro Hotel in Bowness on Windermere). Safety Officers were Andy & Lisa Brown who - everyone speaks so highly of, their professionalism and support were apparently outstanding and they were also supported by Alistair Shaw from Olney’s ICE clinic who is extremely good at getting people moving again! Everyone that took part did considerably well and they completed the distance between 5 and a half to nine hours. The swimmers said it was extremely cold, especially after the halfway point, a balmy 13 degrees “at best!” it was estimated! There was a pit stop just over half way where a barbeque was provided for participants and spectators – to raise funds and also provide a place for supporters to see the swimmers progress and some entertaining “Dutch” Vikings and Royals in the boats!
A big shout out and thank you also has to go to the swimmers supporters, especially their boat crews who provided much needed support, encouragement and sustenance – I reckon my mum must have had the biggest packed lunch and pharmacy on board, that was remembered anyway! And way to go team Sarah who travelled from Olney, thank you for looking after my mum!
So far the swimmers have raised a lot of money, about £25,000 - and it’s still climbing. If you would like to make a donation to anyone on the swim team, or all of them, visit www. love2donate.co.uk and click on the Lake Windermere picture – pick a swimmer, or the whole team, leave a message to say you’re from Olney and proud of our two swimmers especially - Brian & Sarah, lets show them how supportive Olney can be! It’s amazing what they all achieved I’m so proud of each and every one of them (especially mum) for raising money and importantly awareness, for such a great charity. WELL DONE!
Phonebox Magazine 77