BLIND DAVE'S BLOG

30-12-2006

Black Country marathon runner and star of Stirrer TV's Xmas movie "Personal Best" Blind Dave Heely with the latest update on hisfund-raising efforts...and much, much more. last time we heard from him, his tumble dryer and shower had both broken down.

Hi Stirrers

The week leading up to Christmas was quite pleasant, although the man came about fixing the tumble dryer, and guess what? The only part that wasn't on the van, was the part we needed. Still, it's ordered now and should be ready any day soon.

The part for the shower has also arrived- wow hot running water again - so at last we don't whiff.

On the Sunday before Christmas, I was invited over to the Boney Hay Club in Cannock. Once again, they had done me proud. Notonly had they sponsored me for the London marathon earlier in the year, to the tune of £1600, but they have now presented me with a further cheque for £1000 assponsorship for running the New York marathon.

Whatbetter incentive do I need to carry on? Thereare somany generous people prepared to supportthe charity which is soimportant to me, Guide Dogs For The Blind.

On the Wednesday we all visited Paul Burrell on his radio show on Classic Gold.. There were twelve of us in total, we all crammed into his little studio and did we have a laugh, the kids giggling and singing carols, chomping on mince pies, some exotic chocolates bought in specially for Christmas, drinking his wine, Paul also giving Guide Dogs a good mention.

Overall it was a very nice time, the Christmas spirit was certainly in that studio,although I can't help thinking that in the last few years people don't seem to celebrate Christmas in the fashion it was some 20 years ago.

At one time, the lead-up to Christmas used to ooze laughter, good will and generally people seemed a lot happier. It's only my opinion but I feel it's far too commercial and the worry of affording Christmasaffects people's behaviour.It'sa shame, as it should be a time to enjoy and relax. Still,at least most kids get to enjoy it.

We also saw the The Stirrer's filmabout me. Well, thefamily saw it and I had a running commentary. It has come out really well,andI had a great laugh once again at the partshowing our "luxury" rooms.

I must write up my experience with the Carter Hotel sometime. Wehave also renamed by guide runner Mac - we've been calling him“Headache”. If you watch the film, you'll know what I mean.

Now justyou wait forthe next instalment - it shouldprove very interesting.

Christmas Eve was as per normal, great. Debb, the kids and myself donnedour Santa outfits and like the past ten years or more we had a house full, moms, dads and nans, plus around a dozen kids all waiting to get their hands on a first present.

We have a great time, the kids sitting in the living room after eating, all waiting for the count down to open their first present. It'sa bit of a ritual in our house, one present then they're all sent packing to get ready for bed and a long awaited Santa, but it's really nice to hear the kids, all excited, then rushing for coats or in the case of ours rushing up stairs to bed, that excited they even forget to kiss dad goodnight, heads on pillows, quilts pulled up and asleep.

It's brilliant, but then Blind Dave Santa was given a rude awakening, or should I say, potatoes, parsnips and carrots and told to start peeling. I thought Santa delivered presents, where's Rudolph when you want him?

Sacks of presents around the tree, ready for the onslaught in the morning and like the kids, in bed, it's going to be a long day. Lay in bed and listened to the clock go round, it couldn't be excitement could it? But follow the clock round we both did, I think it was preparing in your mind what we had to do in the morning and didn't want to over sleep.

Guess what? I over slept, couldn't believe I was wide awake at 7 am, just five minutes more I thought. Next time I pressed my watch it was 8 o'clock! The Turkey! I shot out of bed only to be met by the kids on the landing, “He's been Dad, Santa's been Dad”.

Thereis always a present on the landing for the three of them and they open it on our bed. “Hold on “ I shouted,pulling on my dressing gown, down the stairs I raced.

My guide dog Wicksie welcomed me at the bottom, kettle on, out the back door, put Wicksie in the toilet pen, opened the workshop, first the turkey, raced back to the kitchen, in the oven it went, back to the workshopfor the beef, back to the kitchen, beef in the oven, turned on the gas, into the living room, checked to see if Santa had gone and the sacks were ready, outside and let Wicksie out of the pen, back up stairs jumped into bed and the kids opened their first present.

Debb was laughing. “Are you awake dear?” she said. “I think so “ was my reply , but I was knackered and the day hadn't begun yet. The day went from strength to strength, the kids pleasantly surprised and hopefully Santa bought most of what they asked for, dinner was cooking just nicely, Nan's, Aunties and Uncles turned up on time, dinner was served and it was absolutely perfect.

In factI was the blind dumb waiter, so I'm told, but not a plate or dish was broken. Ok, a few knives and forks were dropped but I think Jamie Oliver might consider employing me, especially when there's a power cut.

I was amazed how many houses Santa dropped off presents for the kids, surprisingly I'm still trying to find where he left mine! I had many walks around the garden to get the feel of the new block paving. That's my present apparently,and Debb wasn't joking either!

On the whole the day was very pleasant and enjoyable, kids had what they wanted present wise, the food was good, enjoyed a couple of drinks, so all stomachs and heads were hopefully satisfied.

Boxing Day and the family and friends always have a stroll around Dartmouth park, walking off the Christmas pudding, it's also an annual ritual of West Bromwich Harriers to hold their Boxing Day handicap run, four laps of a very tough course within the park, after a few beers and Christmas dinner, it clears the head and burns off a few calories.

It was a good turn out, around 20 of us, and I started 7 minutes and 50 seconds after the first runner off. It'squite a demanding run and to be honest I really enjoyed this year, with the marathon training still in my legs. I came in 5th but more important took 2 minutes and 33 seconds off last years time, which is very satisfying, especially as we have now started our training for the London marathon and it builds up your confidence levels.

What better after a good run, a couple of pints and some good banter between us all, then it's off home to the family, cousins came up from Bridgewater another pleasant evening, yes so far it's been a very nice Christmas.