In March we, the Groves family, had the privilege to be invited to the East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice at Quidenham and saw first hand the facilities available to their temporary patients.

We spoke to various carers and were shown and told of the many ways that these children were cared for, cherished and stimulated in their final days.

We were impressed, as any normal person would be, and resolved to help as much as possible. This Sunday, 11th May, Paul and I are doing a sponsored cycle ride in Thetford forest called ‘Ride for Life’. Only 10 miles, sounds easy but I did it last year and can assure you that it’s ‘bloody hard’.

However, the 4th event to remember Michael and to raise money for Quidenham this year called the Mike Groves Run 2003 (obviously) is on the evening of the Friday, 18th July.

The venue is the same

The course is the same

The entry fee is the same

And once again the more that enter and the more sponsorship and donations that are received the more we can send. I can assure you that they need the money more than any of us. The

running costs of each hospice is phenomenal. There is a multi sensory room at Quidenham using lights and sound to stimulate or sooth a variety of conditions, at an estimated cost of £100 a week, every week.

Last year we raised over £1,200. Can we match that, can we better that? The answer must be ‘please God yes’.

If anyone cannot participate I am quite happy to receive a donation and, if any local business also wants to contribute, remember that such donations are tax deductible.

Entry forms are available from The Pharmacy, The Post Office store, Londis or from me at Forever Autumn, Westbourne Road.

Alan Groves