Harry's Lunch is Featured in the Oxford Transplant Foundation Newsletter

The Oxford Transplant Foundation have featured the very successful Harry's Lunch 2011 in their recent newsletter.

Men’s Health Survival of the Fittest challenge 4 Harry

Jessica Denton and boyfriend Nick with the team from Renaissance Hair Salon including Len, Chris, Jess and Tasha and friends Jess Hayward and Kim plus Jenny (Harry's sister) her friend Jo Lawton have taken part in a 10km assault course around Battersea Power Station.  The event attracted 12,000  competitors from all over the country.

Despite the odds and the weather they raised nearly £2000.  Thanks also to customers of Renaissance for generous donations.

As part of the course they had to clamber over high walls, swing on monkey bars, wade through cold muddy water and carry heavy sacks on their backs. 

To see photographs of their brave (and muddy) antics, please view the photo Gallery.

Harry’s Lunch Wednesday 26th September 2012

The annual Harry’s Lunch will again be held, organised by Wendi Parcell and Judi.  As in previous years, the lunch will be at St Katharines, a beautiful former nunnery in Parmoor.  As it is Olympic year, the lunch will be in aid of The Youth Sport Trust and the theme, gold, silver & bronze. Alex Danson of the England Hockey Team and Olympic medal hopeful, will be attending.

More details to follow….

FST National Pirates Day Friday May 25th 2012

Following the hugely successful 2011 Pirates Day, FST will again be dressing up, swigging rum, and walking the plank, all to raise funds for Harry and the Youth Sport Trust.

Various events are planned, including a raffle and a pub quiz at the Slug & Lettuce in Marlow High Street. Preparations are underway and it is hoped that a number of local schools will also be participating.

So watch out for Pirates on May 25^th!

Marlow Mini Rugby Tournament Sunday 25th March

The Harry Mills Memorial Cup was presented to the winning under 12s team, Marlow, at the annual Mini Rugby Tournament held at Riverwoods, home of Marlow rugby.  Around 140 teams and 2500 players and parents descend on Riverwoods every year, for what is the largest mini rugby event in the South East.

The under 12s competition is always a fiercely fought contest and one of the highlights of the tournament. This year, both Marlow A and Marlow B teams had a chance at the silverware. Marlow Bs met Chobham in the playoffs for the Bowl and, despite heroic efforts, finally drew 0-0 and so shared the trophy.

Marlow A team met Teddington in the finals of the ‘A’ tournament.  Clare Daniels, the renowned UK Number 1 Ladies International Referee officiated, wearing a pair of Harry’s black & white hooped socks. The match was thrilling and when the final whistle blew, the score was 5-3.  Team Captain Luke Funnell is pictured with Judi holding Harry's Cup.

   

Harry’s Cup was presented to the winning Marlow team by Richard & Judi, accompanied by Clare Daniels. It is the first time Marlow have won the Cup, so it was a very special moment.

More Pictures can be found here

Gatsby & Daisy Charity Coffee Event 27th February 2012

Gatsby & Daisy, a ladies and gentlemen’s outfitters in Marlow’s West Street, held a special day for Harry raising funds for the Youth Sport Trust in conjunction with their Clearance Sale.

The shop stayed open from 10am to 10pm and offered some amazing discounts.  Thanks to social media the word soon got around and people (including the Mayor of Marlow) flocked to browse.

Morning coffee and afternoon tea were served by butler Andrew Dixon (formerly of the Savoy) who brought along beautiful flower arrangements and birdcages to add to the atmosphere.

James & Adele of Gatsby & Daisy doubled the amount collected and in all nearly £450 was raised.

Bucks Free Press

Youth Sport Trust Orientation Camp December 2011

The annual 3 day YST Orientation Camp for gifted young athletes took place at Loughborough University 20 – 23^rd December. At the closing ceremony, Richard presented the Harry Mills Teammaker Award to winner Claire Brown accompanied by Olympic sprinter Jason Gardener and Baroness Sue Campbell CBE, Chair of the YST. Jason won gold in the Mens 4 x 100m relay in Athens.

Jacob Buckle Complete The Rowers Revenge (Twice!)

Jacob Buckle has competed in his first triathlon to raise money for the Youth Sport Trust in memory of his friend, Harry Mills. The Youth Sport Trust aims to empower young people through sport and this is something Jacob believes strongly in. You can still support Jacob at his JustGiving page. He says “The image of Harry's smiling face helped him through the tough bits as did the generosity of friends and family who have raised £485”

Sarah, Jacobs Mum says.....

Jacob had a fantastic 4k ergo time of 14' 23" and was doing really well on the bike until he had a puncture near Danesfield House...oops forgot to pack spare inner tube! Ran most of the way back to Higginson Park carrying the bike. Supported his friends as the came over the finish line. But very despondent until I joked that he could always join in the last heat of the sprint event which was about to start (which is exactly the same as the standard triathlon apart from a 2k ergo instead of 4k.) So he quickly arranged to borrow a bike and shoes and started the triathlon all over again...

Successfully completed it in 1hr21minutes putting him in 2nd place for the junior sprint event. We're all really proud of him and he said that thinking about Harry helped him get through the final stages when things were really tough.

He was given a special prize by the event organisers for his grit and determination and the press will be giving his chosen charity (the Youth Sport Trust) a plug when they write up the triathlon.

Thanks to everyone who has sponsored him so far. If you'd like to sponsor him now that you know he's done the course (and some!), here's the link http://www.justgiving.com/Jacob-Buckle.

Many, many thanks on behalf of Jacob.

Visit Jacobs Justgiving page for photographs of the event.

Jacob who is an accomplished rower is also getting a new boat very soon and he's decided to call it Harry.

Leanne Runs The Sydney marathon for Harry

Leanne has run the Sydney Marathon and rasied £838 for Meningitis Research Foundation.

Leanne says "Would like to thank all the people that sponsored me and supported me to run the Sydney marathon today! I’m overwhelmed that so many people have given me so much support :) love everybody that got behind me! My site is still open for donations, click here - love you all! Xx

DialAFlight have offered to donate £20 per booking direct to the Oxford Transplant Foundation for each booking received over the next 6 months – ie: 21.9.11 - 21.3.12.

This applies to all guests at Harry’s Lunch or bidders on the Silent Auction.

To book call 0208 784 6120 and quote Oxford Transplant Foundation to automatically generate £20 towards the OFT
Charity.

Visit DialAFlight’s website for some great destination ideas &
some great deals on airfares, hotels & car hire!

Bon Voyage!

Harry' Lunch a Great Success

Harry’s Lunch raised £3,565 plus Waitrose raised an additional £485 via its Community Charity scheme which brings the total to £4050. This may well increase as Dialaflight, in addition to donating our star silent auction prize of a Weekend for Two to Paris, have also offered to donate a further £20 per booking to the charity for guests who book travel services with them. Thank you to all who came and all who through donations and bids supported the event for the Oxford Transplant Foundation.

Harry's own organs were donated via the Oxford Transplant Foundation at the John Radcliffe Hospital and we hope that the event raised awareness of the organ donor scheme and highlight the ongoing need for organs.

The speakers were very moving and we would like to thank Peter Marshall CMG OBE and Miranda Dodwell. Peter is Chairman of Oxford Transplant Foundation and he spoke about the work of the Foundation & the need for more people to register with the Organ Donor scheme & inform others' of their wishes. Peter has firsthand experience as his wife had her first kidney transplant in the 1960s

Also representing the charity was Carol Bradford on behalf of Professor Friend, Founder of the OTF ll: the recipient of a kidney.

Miranda gave a heartfelt talk about her experiences - her sister donated - and about how wonderful it was just to feel normal and be able to do normal everyday things. In addition to Miranda there were at least 3 others at the lunch who had also received kidneys, one person within the last 12 months.

Miranda has supported Harry's Lunch since their beginning in 2007.

The Raffle & Silent Auction raised a large proportion of the funds and could not have been achieved without people's generosity - of time as well as money - individuals, High St businesses and organisations in Marlow & Oxford, Dialaflight, internet gift companies and of course our guests. A full list of the silent auction prizes & donors is listed here.

Wendi Parcell (joint organiser) said 'It's a fabulous sum and it shows how many wonderful people there are out there. I feel privileged to be a part of Harry's Lunch and as always will remember him and the fun he and my daughter Livvy had together.'

Pictures of the lunch can be found here

You can register for organ donation here

Harry at Waitrose

Please vote for Harry with your green token, given to you by the check out assistant when you complete your shopping. Harry is one of three Community Charities chosen by Waitrose for September and will receive a share of £1000 as per the proportion of tokens received. The donation will go to the Oxford Transplant Foundation - whom Harry's Lunch will raise funds for this year.

Meningitis Awareness Week - September 19-25

Richard and Judi are to meet Dominic Grieve local MP and Attorney General to discuss Harry and Government support and funding for Meningitis vaccines. This is part of the Meningitis Awareness Week campaign. Will report back on progress.

Thomas Norfolk Wins Harry's Memorial Cup at Spinfield School

Pilar, Thomas's mum says:-

“I felt immensely proud when Thomas was awarded the Harry Mills Memorial Cup in the Y6 assembly at Spinfield. It meant so much to Thomas as well because it represents the effort and contribution he has made during his time at Spinfield and feels personal as it is in memory of Harry who is still fondly remembered by those at the school”

This is the fourth Harry’s Cup to be presented at Spinfield. Well done Thomas.

Bid Here for the Silent Auction - Bargains Galore

Glass Heart Original Painting Handmade Cushion

The goodies in the Silent Auction are listed below. Please decide which you would like to bid on and email your bid to Judi - hithemills@clara.co.uk. Judi will email an acknowledgement of your bid.

The silent auction presents the opportunity to win some terrific prizes at bargain prices. In auctions from past years prizes have gone for prices well below there cost - so bid away and do some early Christmas shopping!! All prizes have to go.

This years Silent Auction prizes are:-

1. Weekend for Two to Paris with Dial a Flight, includes flights and 2 nights accommodation in a four star centrally located hotel.

2. 6 months off peak membership at The Marlow Club

3. Original heart glass art by Tracey Holmes

4. Handmade cushion by Claire Rowan

5. One hour Pilates session with Carly Staples

6. Five sacks of logs ~ William White

7. Bed and Breakfast for 2 at The Crowne Plaza, Marlow

8. Champagne dinner for 2 at The Randolph Hotel, Oxford

9. Original Painting by Christine Barnett

10. Dinner for 2 at The Malmaison Restaurant, Oxford

11. Afternoon Tea for 2 at The Compleat Angler, Marlow

12. One hour Meditation Session with Jane Gittens

13. 6 month membership fitness and racquet at Bisham Abbey

14. Jason Wrenn hand made Oak chopping board.

15. Feather and Black single heart duvet.