BLIND DAVE'S BLOG

09-01-2007

On Thursday Blind Dave Heeley, noted marathon runner of this parish will be announcing his next project - and it will become the talking point of the nation. Stay tuned for first news here on The Stirrer, but first here's his reflections on the 12 months gone by.

Hi Stirrers

A very happy New Year to you all. Well,it's out with the old and in with the new,but on reflection what a year 2006 was. It held many happy times and of course some sad times, withsome great runs and some highly successfulfund raising.

It was a privilege to be partof 75th anniversary of Guide Dogs for the Blind,and as you may know we finally brought in more than £50,000 for them.

It all started withthe London marathon and another personal best for yours truly. We then stageda terrific event in Grizedale Forest, Cumbria, an aerial assault course in the trees - not for the faint hearted, but it's certainly an adrenalin kick. Check out their website forthe "Go Ape Adventure" - if you dare.

We then embarked on theGreat Manchester run,helda LadiesNight,and arranged a fantastic charity cricket match against the World Famous Bunbury's, withlocal stars turning out and doing us proud. The spin-off's from the game have been terrific and very rewarding, for both myself and Guide Dogs.

The latter half of the year saw us running and running - the Great South, the Great North and of course to finish off with the New York Marathon, an emotional end to the running calendar.

The finale was the variety night supported by some great names in the entertainment world; Shel McCrae, formerly of the Fortunes, Hayley Evetts of the original Pop Idol series, Paul Burrell of Classic Gold, comparing the evening, but the high light of the night was presenting a cheque for £50,122.88, to Guide Dogs.

All in all,a very satisfying year and as a family although it was very demanding at times I think in a funny sort of way, we all enjoyed it.Our kids certainly enjoy a very varied life style and at their young age have certainly metso many differentpeople.

Unfortunately there are always the sad times, too. I lost a very dear friend and companion to cancer, Carla, my last guide dog for nearly 9 years, on the very day we lost Carla, Debb's dad was also diagnosed with cancer and sadly he died on 29th October. Both are sadly missed but now at peace and will always be remembered, that being a consolation, hopefully our memories can't be erased.

Well New Years Eve, the kids were in their finery, the disco was playing, the dance floor packed, drinks in plenty and every one having a great time, I suppose for one evening wishing our lives away, waiting for the witching hour, midnight, grabbing hands, singing auld Lang Syne, wishing all around a happy new year, for a few minutes every one singing from the same hymn book, wouldn't it be lovely to bottle that moment.

The morning of the first, I suppose we all reflect on last year, some with sore heads, some with empty pockets, well lets not forget 2006 but lets also look forward to another wonderful year 2007 and make the best of it, who knows what's in store for us, so just enjoy each day, think positive, “It's going to be a great year”.

And now thatthe festive season is over, the New Year has started with Mac appearing at the back door, “The London marathon in sixteen weeks, so come on we've got some training to do and the good news is it's raining again”.

Cheers, Mac and a happy New Year to you too, he's all heart. Did I mention the word headache!

Here's Blind Dave signing off and going to get wet, bye for now.

To see the movie click here: Personal Best - The story of Blind Dave