Just over 1 year ago, I was nearly 5 stone heavier than I am now. Suffering aches and pains that go along with carrying excess baggage!! I was bullied into going to a slimming club with a friend, who I am now very grateful to!!
Since losing weight, I have been more active which has led me to be able to do things I would never have been able to do. Such as this charity bike ride from Edinburgh to Dublin in May this year!!
I always wanted to do something like that, but I didn’t want to be told what charity I had to do it for. Then I found an event where I could choose where money I raised went.
There was no question about it. I wanted to raise money for Henrys Holiday Help, henrysholidayhelp.org.uk.
I have known the family for nearly 3 years now. I met Henry at the beginning of his treatment and I just remember having such admiration for the family and the strength and bravery they all showed and still do.
I have been involved in a lot of charity events with them and this was an amazing opportunity to raise even more money for them.
The charity began its journey after Henry was diagnosed with an anaplastic ependymoma brain tumour in 2013. He had successful surgery to remove all of the tumour and following a slow recovery he received a high dose regime of chemotherapy. His first Routine MRI scan in June 2013 revealed an abnormality and the family were all prepared to have to go to America for specialist proton therapy. Thankfully after several more scans, Henry could continue with his course of chemotherapy here, and so the family decided to use some of the funds raised to try and give something back to others by creating ‘Henry’s Holiday Help.’ It is as a small charity, which provides local children diagnosed with cancer with some money towards a holiday to enjoy during or after treatment. Support is also given to families in so many other ways, a fantastic Christmas party being one!! Where Santa comes with amazing gifts, crafts are organised as well as fun games and face painting, (to name a few!). Katie is an amazing lady, constantly trying to raise awareness and raise funds for the charity and is always thinking of ways to support families who are going through the unthinkable and I am privileged to know them all and to be a part of their lives.
My journey loosing weight has been an exciting one with this goal and many others in mind. I have qualified to be a swimming teacher, I have scuba dived, (albeit it only in a pool!) and enjoy getting fitter and fitter for this amazing ride in May!!
I have been blown away by the support and donations so far, but I need to get to 2k. The money raised goes towards the cost of the event and of course a huge amount of that will go to the charity.
I have a just giving page:- https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/allisonjohnson
where you can read updates and donate if you would like to support me and Henrys Holiday help.
I am positive, with the support of my friends and the local community, I will reach my target and then some!!!
Thank you to those who have already supported me and donated, and thank you in advance to anyone who reads this and wants to donate.
Allison Johnson
www.allisonjohnsonpictures.co.uk
Contact: 07889 397126
