Yet another Torch Photograph Opportunity!

7th August 2012:-  My consultant Aggie Michael was not in clinic last week, so she did not see my Olympic Torch! Consequently, I decided to take it in to St. Luke's again today, when I have my appointment at 10am. My day 8 chemo, if bloods are ok, is due at 2pm.

My sister took me again, and luckily she took her I-pad, because the Torch Photos were in demand again! First, I took it to show to Dr Michael, and both she and Dr Saleh were delighted to see it and hold the Olympic Torch! Dr Michael took photos with her 'phone.

On return to the Reception area, I became gradually surrounded with patients, visitors and staff wanting to see and touch the Torch. They were impressed and delighted to get a chance to actually see it live, and even hold it for a photo.

I made a joke to a few people there, about what the man last week said about being my 'agent' and that I should charge £1 per photo for GRACE! People laughed and quite a few had their photos taken, with Val emailing them their photos from her I-pad. Then, gradually, one or two came up to me and pressed notes into my hand for my charity! I looked in my hand, and found two £20 notes and a £10 note! Thanking them very much, I then thought I had better ask whether they would mind filling in a sponsorship form and whether they paid tax for the extra 25% gift aid! More notes were put into my envelope for GRACE, and the forms I had were completely filled up! I made a short trip to the GRACE secretary's office, to tell her of this extraordinary generosity, and asked for GRACE leaflets and more sponsor forms.

Photos and donations continued until after my clinic appointment (when my sister took over as chief photographer and collector!), then through the lunch period when we were all watching the Olympics (coincidentally) on the television in Reception! I was called for my chemotherapy about 1.30pm, and some nurses then also wanted their photo taken holding the Torch, as they had missed it last week.

At the end of my time there, all these very kind and generous people had donated £85! More of course with the gift aid.

This has now brought my grand total, so far, including gift aid worked out just for the off-line donations, to £1,608, or 107% of my goal! Thank you everyone. GRACE and myself appreciate it very much.