Every Avenue Weddings Magazine- Issue8 Issue 8 | Page 31

treasured friend, Jo Rowley and I recently took part in my very first sportive, which was a 50km cycletta around
the New Forest. I am so proud to say
that we completed the course in two
hours and fifty minutes, which was our
chip time, with two and a half hours
moving time. As some of you may
know I have a tumour on my pelvis,
which makes physical activity painful at the best of times – the thought
of sitting in the saddle for more than a
few minutes filled me with trepidation,
but somehow I made it. I have raised
over £700 so far, and am blown away.
Thank you to everybody who cheered
me on, both physically and in spirit.
Elsewhere, our newest ambassador, the
fabulous Alix Renshaw, has just raised
£1885 for us with a raffle – the prize, an
original artwork by artist David Renshaw (no relation, they inform me!),
was such an amazing incentive, and we
couldn’t be prouder of Alix. She is also
organising a pamper evening, which is
due to take place at the end of November, and running the Great West Run
in our honour at the end of October –
she doesn’t do things by half! You can
do it, Alix! Similarly fantastic is Owen
Bishop, the son of our ambassador Lee
– he recently cycled 220 miles from
Burnham to Land’s End and raised a
whopping £966. The physical limits
that our supporters push themselves
to always leaves me astounded, and I
am also heartened by every Bake Sale
(thank you, Caroline Searle!), one-off
donation, and jog that is undertaken in
our name.
By the time you read this column I will

have attended the Women of the Year
Lunch, an event which is held annually to honour some of the inspiring,
shining lights that are working in their
communities today. To have been invited is such an amazing feat for me, and
I am really looking forward to meeting
the other ladies – I am always so proud
when the work I do is recognised, and
humbled by the stories of those around
me. It’s going to be phenomenal. I am
also hugely excited for the Bristol and
Somerset Wedding Awards, which
will feature our own Wedding Wishing Well Appreciation Awards. Taking
place on 26th Februrary 2016 at The
Bristol Hotel, Bristol, the event looks
set to be better than ever. Nominations
and voting are open now, so please visit www.bristolandsomersetweddingawards.co.uk for more information.
As we bask in the love of our most recent wedding (congratulations, Mr.
and Mrs. Wood), I’d like to say thank
you to everybody who has supported
us, and me personally, and continues
to do so. This time five years ago I was
given the most devastating news imaginable, a mere six days after my baby
boy was born. Just weeks ago I saw
Devon complete his first day at school,
and it’s the strength of those around
me who make everything possible.

ix
Naom
www.weddingwishingwell.org.uk
wedwishingwell.wordpress.com
www.laboutique.org.uk