General Chat

I have been asked for a new thread with a proper explanation so here goes!! We are an official volunteer fundraising committee for Cancer Research UK... PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS JUST AN EXPLANATION - NOT A FUNDRAISING THREAD!! And no-one is ever judged on donating or not!! There are so many good causes - we've just chosen CRUK. Please also know that although its called the PINK FUND..... its not just me that raises funds for it..... its the kind people of Genes that keep it alive! So excuse this long winded bit below.....

Our friend Gaynor died from breast, lung and brain cancer in April 2005, she bravely shared her treatment and illness with us with such honesty and courage she made us weep for her even tho some of us had never met her. Gaynor knew her condition was terminal from the moment she found out she had cancer! She was absolutely gorgeous, she had a zest for life and loved to laugh and throughout her time on the boards she definitely made us laugh with her. She loved her family with a passion (her husband Rob, daughter Jack and her partner Dean, son John, DiL Clare and grand-daughters Ellie and Lulu) and she was an inspiration to us all. We decided to mark her life with a fundraising committee to raise money for Cancer Research UK as she was passionate that cancer wouldn't touch her grandchildren! Gaynor day is March 9th - her birthday! Gaynor Shines is a star that GR members bought for her last birthday (sugeested by Pat and named by Joy and I) and there are star pin badges that we wear to mark her memory. This predominately started as I agreed to Walk the Great Wall of China for CRUK - Gaynor wasn't the reason I joined up, I had just seperated from my husband and needed something to focus on.... but after my first appeal on GR for help fundraising, Gaynor approached me and asked if she could help.... my board name was Diana Is In The Pink and Gaynor decided that the fundraising would be called Pink's fund. The official target was £3,000, she wanted to get £2000 herself, so her aim was £5000! Well without her, I don't think I would have raised my £3000 and the night she died we were £100 short of £10,000. And she requested that there were no flowers at her funeral and that grew the total raised to £12,000, well above what she had initially asked for but EXACTLY what she had told me we would raise. Gaynor did things that would surprise us all, buying us presents and writing cheques worth hundreds of pounds for the fund, just because she had a tax rebate and knew she wouldn't get to spend it!! Since then there has been the GB relay started the day after her funeral by Jenny (Mommylonglegs) which has raised a further £4,800 People have been so kind and generous its untrue. Then there were the 16 mad people that went off to trek the Sahara desert in March 2006 - sadly I had to come home alone, as my Daddy died whilst I was there, but the other 15 endured all sorts of pain to achieve the tasks of 9 days in the remote desert of the Sahara in temps of up to 45 degrees! You know who you are and I salute you!! So far we have raised over £50,000 (incl gift aid) and hope to reach the £100,000 figure, there has been raffles, meets, balloon races, Dawn's tick tock game and of course the Sahara trek and the GB relay!! I want to thank everyone who continues to keep the fund and Gaynor ALIVE.... because she hasn't gone from our hearts!!

hullo Diana.......a well worthy cause, if ever there was one!!!

Diana, I am always happy to see another thread with Gaynor's name in it. Am looking outside for her star right now - 'Gaynor shines'.

I am more than willing to add to any fund that helps towards a cure for cancer and I raise a toast to Gaynor a true star!!

Sorry been busy adding more to the explanation!! Mags..... you have done already and don't worry i will mug you for more one day soon! xx

Diana i am so pleased that you have put this thread up. We all remember Gaynor with such affection. Well done to the Pink Fund for all the monies raised so far may it continue. Cancer is such a terrible disease, i would think everyone on this board has known someone who has had it. My daughter in law is doing the Moon Walk in London i think it is in May which is the 26 mile marathon walk which is done though the night. Val

Diana, Thankyou for posting this thread. I never knew Gaynor, nor did many other members who joined around the same time or after me. However, it's obvious from reading this board how much she touched the hearts of so many on here and was an inspiration to all who did know her. Long may the Pink Fund live on and prosper, in memory of a truly remarkable lady, and her star shine brightly in the sky to guide us all on our way. Jay

Gaynor was my very first GR friend, we discovered that we had quite a few things in common, and she saw me through the tragic loss of my best friend to cancer. She was an amazing woman, warm, kind and friendly, and incredibly courageous. She was also very perceptive. I know that Diana won't take any credit but she is going to get some! She was a very loyal and devoted friend to Gaynor, giving practical help as well. I remember one night I had a particular concern about Gaynor, after having rung her, and Diana was there in minutes. The fundraising was still Diana's idea, no matter how many other people were involved, and it also needed an honest, trustworthy and organised co-ordinator! Remembering Gaynor with fond love. Mandy xx

Janet, thanks for posting.... I appreciate that alot of people these days on the boards never met Gaynor or read her threads, but she continues to live on in our hearts and we hope no-one objects to us celebrating her life every so often! Hugs Diana xx

Thanks Mandy - I'm honoured to be able to co-ordinate Gaynors legacy! xx

I don't often post these days but have been around for a few years. I think Gaynor touched the hearts of all of us at that time and I doubt that I'll ever forget her.

Sheila - that's the thing I admire most about her..... her ability to touch strangers hearts!! Love ya Mad Woman.... wish I could hug you right now! xx

LL - glad he's still making you smile! xx

Thanks for the explanation, Diana - I joined in May 2005 but only saw this board in March last year. I soon came to realise that Gaynor had been a very special lady - she's not alone of course, sadly there are many others like her - and I'm happy to have been able to help in a very small way. It was lovely to meet Jenny on Sunday 25th Feb to hand over Gaynor Bear to her - we nearly missed each other, who would have thought there would be 2 pubs with the same name in different villages!! Anyway, the handover finally took place in a windswept car park at Glasgow airport - Jenny and her chaffeur (aka her hubby!) then had a long journey back home. Keith (Hassell) will be donning the kilt at the Liverpool meet so that will raise a bit more for a very worthwhile cause. I have some cheques already (payable to Cancer Research UK) and a few pledges as well. There will be plenty more raised with photos of the victim - oops, sorry! I meant volunteer!! - on the day, I'm sure. The important thing is that every little helps and that extra pound just might help save a life - who knows where it will strike next. Thanks to all who thought of it and took (and take) part in fundraising. Christine xx

Hi Diana, I only joined GR last year and have seen several threads relating to Gaynor and got the general gist of things from some, but I didn't realise just to what extent the fundraising had gone. Well done to everyone concerned! Dawn

Dawn and Christine thank you!! The fund has taken off more than anyone could have predicted in 2004 and I am honoured to co-ordinate Gaynors legacy! And as you say this isn't just about Gaynor, its about the dreadful evil C word that affects so many people!! xx

Nudging - to illustrate the brilliant motivation that Diana gives to others.

Nudging, because I want to ... :-)

Remembering a lovely lady and her smashing friends who went out of their way to raise money in her memory. Elaine x