14^th April 2008 ,

I finally get around to writing my blog - as Katie has told you I managed to rupture my ACL whilst skiing. I thought it would be good practice of working on the snow and ice in preparation for the challenge – never mind I managed 2 days before I fell!

It has put the brakes on the training slightly although I am now back on the cross trainer and can start swimming again but the Dvina DVD will have to wait for a few more weeks before I can continue to bounce around the front room with Richard and Ian laughing at me but they will have to watch out as the boxing one is increasing my punching power!!!

Now the nights are drawing out I will be out on my pushbike (lets hope I can stay on this one!) and I can use the pool and Gym at school in the morning and lunch times so should get back on track quite quickly. I really thought poor Katie would be the one trailing behind with the fitness plan due to a small person but now we will be at the same sort of point and so we must push each other along as only 10 months to go.

The fund rising is going well up to £3500.00 already and we have a few carnivals and fates lined up to keep the cash rolling in. I finally got the date and venue of the ball confirmed for the 12^th July 2008 at Shrewsbury School as keep that date free as we need as many of you there as possible it will be a good night with a fabulous 3 course meal cooked for by 4 of my chefs from work who are giving their time for free a 5 piece band and a reasonably priced bar, Charity Auction, professional photographer and a few fun and games.

Well off to do some exercise!! Amanda x  

22nd June 2008  

Well its Sunday morning and I am eagerly waiting to listen to myself and Richard on the radio (not) we were contacted by the Severn radio station that covers Shrewsbury and Oswestry after I sent in asking them to advertise the Ball, Richard and I went in a recorded our interview for Sunday talk about with Martin, we were nervous at the start and I am sure everyone will turn off when they hear this dork saying hello my name is Amanda  I am 32 and I work at Shrewsbury School and live near Shrewsbury – Dohh any way we did relax a bit and got chatting about the challenge, what MND is and the ball, Martin (the presenter) told me that a lot of people swing around in the chair whilst being interviewed I thought how daft are they not being able to sit still then hay presto what was I doing but swinging in the chair, any way I hope we sound ok and get the message across.

The Knee is nearly better now and I am running well jogging and the fitness plan is back on track and boy I need to be fitter for this challenge.

We have been busy fund raising over the last week with Newport carnival and the old time market where we raised £300 over the 2 events which is brilliant. We had some chocolate fountains at the carnival but the wind blew them all over the place and I ended up covered in chocolate and even managed to get it in my hair but it was worth it. Fridays event we decided to ditch the fountain and used a little double boiler to melt the chocolate and keep it warm which work brilliantly and we even had one little girl telling us that we had the best stall ever!!!  Richard managed to win a fish which is now in my half finished dining room in a bowl and I have named him Fred don’t know how I ended up with him but hey !

Sorry I haven’t update for a while but I have been on holiday in the Isle of Man at the TT races where we had a fab time good weather and great racing, I spent the 2 weeks stalking Guy Martin he was in line for a win this year but due to bike failure he didn’t get one this year but he will next year any way he is a funny bloke and signed programs and photos for me and the icing on the cake was he sat just across the way from me on the boat home but I couldn’t speak to him I was too star struck. He did take one of our cards and I hope he will send us something towards the challenge. It was a bit strange without nanny and Grandad there as they have been with us for the last 7 years but we visited all their usual places and gave out some cards. 

I stayed with my Nan and Grandad on Thursday night as mom and dad had a night at the races and it was good to catch up and tell them about our holiday but so hard to see him being lifted in to bed with a hoist and how hard it must be for him but he never complains or moans he just gets on with it. MND has now started to take his voice and we really have to listen hard to understand him, but again he is still making us laugh with his stories. Nan is still taking it hard and the flat not being ready is not helping but Katie and I are going to try and take them away for a long weekend somewhere.

Well I am off to do some work at sunny Nesscliff and then I will be back on Ball work this afternoon I am still trying to get tickets sold and money in so if you are reading this and haven’t yet brought your tickets come on a buy some bring friends. Family’s strangers off the street! We have 3 weeks till the big night. Call me for tickets 07971281123.

I wont leave it so long before the next update Amanda x

19th September 2008

Ok so I said it wouldn’t be so long between blogs and it has been the biggest gap yet!

Sorry Kate.

Well what’s been happening in the world of Amanda? First of all a massive THANK YOU to all who attended the ball what a fabulous night after month of not sleeping we managed to get over 110 people there and had - well a ball.

The band was fab and the food was excellent my chefs did us proud. And we must thank Shrewsbury School for the use of the room crockery etc.

Katie and I spent the day prepping for the evening with Katie nearly throwing the chair through the computer as she was trying to get it to print the program in order anyway she managed it in the end and it looked great. Kate then dashed off at 5 (we were only going in for an hour!) and I stayed put as I knew that I wouldn’t have time to go home and so took dress to work.

Then OMG its just after 7 I am still in my scruffs and the guests are arriving so imagine this I am running around my office at work half dressed with Katie trying to straighten my hair people popping in  to say hi and then I decided I  was having a heart attack – just stress really but sounds better! But soon got over it.

The evening went really well and we raised over 3 ½ thousand pounds how fantastic was that so again many thanks for all your support.

Since then I have been to annual camp with the ACF and spent a very wet 2 weeks in the field – camping in a fashion to you none military lot – with 280 cadets and had a great time.

Nanny and grandad are in corbrook court until the flat is ready and god only knows when that will be – if any of you are of the legal mind let me know if I can sue Walven housings ass for the totally unprofessional approach they have used let me know – any way I better get off the soap box as I may fall and do knee in again!

Grandad is getting worse and has now more or less lost his voice which is really hard to deal with as he tries so hard to talk to us and I try so hard to listen but some times we have to give it up as a bad job, he gets frustrated and upset by this as those of you who know David he could talk for England – he could give Em a run for her money and you know she can talk. But I still make him laugh with the stories about Toby dog and his poo and the crazy people I work with however that sometime causes him to cough and struggle for breath so I then have to change the subject – MND is a really awful illness. Nanny is a lot calmer but still has her moments of despair and frustration but also laughs along with us.

Any way moving on

Talking of knees mine seems to be healing really well the hospital has now singed me off and apart from the odd twinge all seems ok.

Thanks to Collette at Market Drayton physio for sorting me out and I will call in and personally thank them as I have just abandoned them since the last time I went – sorry.

I am swimming 3 times a week on a good week and once on a bad week but really must get ass in to gear as Katie is at the gym 3 – 5 times a week and is looking really good so note to self must do more, if any of you see me kick my butt and come jogging/ swimming & cycling with me.

MND have arranged for a date in October for us all to meet and have a go on a wheeled sled with real huskies can wait.

Kate, mom, dad and I are at a conference this weekend to gain  more knowledge about MND and fundraising so watch out I hope we come back with more ideas of how to squeeze another few pennies out of you all.

Well that’s about it for now and stay tuned for the next instalment from me.

T.T.F.N. Amanda x

When Amanda asked if I would help raise money I felt this was a really positive way of actually doing something that could help, if not my Grandad then perhaps someone else, so I agreed. 

My challenge is nothing in comparison to what my Grandad has to face along with my Nan who is also facing the biggest challenge in her life. My Challenge includes trying to raise money whilst being heavily pregnant and then having around 10 months to get fit for the challenge!

My husband Alex will have his own challenge running the family and home for a week whilst I'm away, as well as encouraging me to take on this challenge - this website being one of those area's he has helped tremendously with so 'Thank you already!'  It will all be worth the effort made by te whole family - I just hope Grandad will be around to see all our future achievements as I'm sure it won't end here.

4th March 2008 I'm looking forward to getting to the gym! Only 7 weeks left until Baby Ted arrives and I have now finished work so I'm hoping to spend a lot of time planning events, writing letters etc.

Grandad going down hill a bit but fingers crossed things will get a little easier once the accommodation is sorted and a care package is put in place! Will just have to wait and see. I would like to acknowledge though all the hard work, huge amount of effort and support my family have given to my Grandparents (not that they want thanking for it) but this disease totally effects there lives also and just being there at the drop of a hat must be at times hard - but I guess that's just the family we/they are! I'm proud to say I belong to such a great supportive family!!!

14th April 2008 Only 8 days until my babies due date but I have a sneaky feeling he will arrive before then (or maybe that's just wishful thinking!). After some settling in time at home I hope to start training for the challenge and as Amanda say's supporting each other to ensure we are up to scratch as I am really looking forward to this challenge.

Will update you all again once baby Ted has arrived (have been told it's a boy)

22nd June 2008 How bad have I been not updating my blog page - I feel for once I actually have an excuse!!! Ted arrived safe and sound on the 22nd April (Charlotte's 4th birthday!) and he is so special we are so pleased to have him in our family. I have visited Grandad as I know poor Grandad won't be able to make the 4 hour journey down south. It was a real mixture of emotions, first I felt very proud to introduce my son to his great grandad. Second I felt an enormous sadness as that may be the only time Ted will be in Grandad's company and potentially the last time Charlotte spends time with her great Grandad drawing etc and third an almost overwhelming sense of uselessness with being unable to 'help' with the situation with me living so far away.

This disease does not only affect the individual but it tests the whole family. My Nan is unable to accept help and the effect of being a 24-7 carer is taking it's toll on my parents. They do all they can on top of working full time and the rest of us try to offer advice and support but we get frustrated with the whole situation. As you can imagine this then makes us sad, angry and generally quite touchy so thanks to our husbands who have to put up with our moods!!! 

So enough of the doom and gloom on a positive note - we (Charlotte and I) found some thick special pencils so Grandad can continue to put pen to paper and create various images. I've joined the gym and started a new programme which is going well. I've made links with my local MND branch and I hope to support them in the future and today through the internet I listened to the radio show Amanda and Rich did this afternoon and I found myself smiling the whole way through!!! Well done you two x

I will update again after the ball which Amanda has been working very hard on so I'm sure it is going to be a  blast. 

14th July 2008 What a fantastic time everyone had at the MND Ball - well done Amanda who did the lions share of the work into organizing, hosting and generally making it an unforgettable night. We raised close to £3,500 with the grand total being added once we see if Amanda can continue to work her magic with some of the costs!!! It was a shame that Nanny and Grandad felt unable to go even though everything had been arranged for them to be able to attend - It would, to be fair be an extremely tiring event for them both had they made it.

The training is going well - I'm arranging my personal trainer to do an intense 6 week course to give me that extra push. I'm back down to pre-baby weight and feeling like I'm getting fitter and stronger each time I go to the gym.

Will get the other two to do an update and post it asap - thanks to everyone who has supported us x x x

14th September 2008 Well first of all apologies for not updating sooner.. We have all been busy with our individual lives and so I decided to 'have a month off' fundraising. Amanda, Hazel and John however have been great and attended various fates, carnivals and shows and have raised more so well done you guys! We are attending the MND conference next weekend and we (Amanda and I) are staying overnight so we are arranging the final fundraising push then - will let you all know what it is when we plan it but were thinking one final event as they have been soooooo good so far!!

My children are great, growing up fast and Ted is almost 5 months now. My fitness programme is going really well and I feel ready to do the challenge - Thanks to my personal trainer Polly who has been training me twice a week with me also trying to go another two times per week. I had a few weeks off during Aug as had the worst ever tonsititus but all recovered now (well almost!).

I also wanted to add that Grandad has 'stabilized' for the time being, his condition is now at the point where he is TOTALLY dependant on others for EVERYTHING - so sad and fustrationg but that's this disease for you. On a potentially positive note, their apartment is ready on the 22nd Sept!!! Whoop whoop!!! Lets all hope and pray that this will actually be their moving in date ;-)

I'll update again soon and a HUGE thank you to everyone who has supported us x x x

15th November 2008 We have just got back form our coffee morning and I'm so pleased to let everyone know that just by selling tea and cake, a Christmas stall and (as well as providing face painting and a bouncy castle) we have raised over £400!!! I really want to acknowledge my good friends for there support on this one so THANK YOU Meg and JO as well of course as all my family!

Well my little fella needs something to eat so will update again soon...

3rd January 2008 my initial reaction towards my grandad becoming ill was very upset and shocked. When me and my family were told that he was diagnosed with MND, me and my sisters Amanda and Katie were determined, to do something positive, for my grandad and the charity.

When we found that there was a challenge, we thought that this was a great idea. Not only would it raise money for the charity it would make are grandfather proud. We know the challenge will be hard, hence the word challenge J. This is why little things like swimming is becoming into practice. I now try to go swimming every Tuesday night and I also try and go the gym on Sundays. This is to become more equip for the arctic conditions.

I am looking forward to becoming to work with my sisters, to raise money for the MND association who support sufferers and families.

I am also looking forward to see if I can handle the conditions of the arctic, and to be working with the husky dogs.  

19th September 2008

DAD'S BLOG.
My apologies for not doing my BLOG sooner! I hate the expression BLOGGER! it sounds so rude.
however here is mine at last.
 
the daunting task of raising £12K to send Amanda,katie and richard on the Arctic Challenge 2009
started in January when hazel and Joan started sorting out items to sell. Hazel is an expert at selling unwanted things.
 
Katie has become the Captain,Producing and running the web site and liaising with everyone Before and after events(on top of having a baby and running a home). Emma has worked tirelessly supporting katie and raising lots of money organising events at her home,and thanks to dave for his support.
 
Amanda is amazing, as well as being in charge of feeding 1000 pupils a day at Shrewsbury School,  running the school ccf and most weekends she's at acamp somewhere in her capacity of major in the army cadet force, she is still recovering from her skiing accident in february.
 
Richard is busy being a teenager and growing up fast, hes now 6ft 4" and size 12.
 
I try to help where i can as does ian(amanda's husband) we are the hod carriers!.
 
The Summer Ball was superb, thanks to everyone who came and supported it. Amanda nearly had a nervous breakdown and we were all exhausted at the end, but heh whats new!
The money raised got us over Beechers Brook and the finishing line was in site at last.
 
Hazel still works so hard on doing boot sales, and people are so kind,like our local churches doing coffee mornings and having collections for MND And David in particular.
 
As autumn is now upon us we are about to organize our final push, and I will report again when the target has been reached.
 
Thanks to everyone who has supported the Francis Family in our quest,and lets remember David and Joan and The Motor Neurone Association who this is all about.