2017 - The Story So Far

Mum

As we head towards the end of 2017, I thought it was an appropriate time to update everyone on the book's progress. A very busy and productive year has seen me go past the half-way stage in the creation of The Record, and opens up the possibility of having the book published towards the end of 2018, although if it has to go back into 2019 I will not be too worried. The important thing is to get it as good as possible, and not rush it.

On a personal note 2017 has been a year of change. The first part of the year was very busy sorting out Mum's house, and completing the sale. It was perhaps only once it completed at Easter that I really began to realise just how different life would be without the folks moving forward. Writing the book, and meeting so many wonderfully kind and generous people has proved to be a very cathartic experience, not to mention fascinating. I will be genuinely sorry when this part of fundraising comes to an end, as I don't think I can really stretch this idea to a third book once this one s finished... I must also mention the two dogs Storm and Prince. Storm passed away in the summer after a long battle with lymphoma, but came to many photo sessions. Prince who has a serious spinal condition, but still is enthusiastic to meet as many people as I am!

This new book will feature patients, and their families affected by bowel cancer. I met Gina Shergold who lost her husband Steve to bowel cancer aged just 33, Steve Clark who is approaching the five year mark with stage 4 bowel cancer, Lauren Backler who lost her mum to bowel cancer, and who is tirelessly campaigning to get the screening age reduced to 50 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. I also met 'Bowel Babe' Deborah James, a stage 4 cancer patient who is like a tornado in her fight with bowel cancer, raising awareness, and huge amounts of money. Then there was another Deborah James, who I had got to know over a couple of years on social media, and we finally met up in May. Sadly she passed away in July aged just 37 years old, and she left a lasting impression on me and many others.

Being Taught Selfies by Deborah James 

Sport has played a big part in the book too, meeting with ex-professional footballers Kevin Sheedy and Eddie Gray. Kevin is a bowel cancer survivor. I met with 4 Olympic gold medallists: Anne Dickins, Jeanette Chippington, Carl Hester and Zac Purchase. I am soon to meet with Christine Ohuruogu in the new year.

I've already met with a very eclectic list of musicians: Frank Turner, John Coghlan, Steve Hackett, Steve Barnard, James Stevenson, Amy Macdonald, New Model Army, Skinny Lister, Hazel O'Connor and Billy Ocean. Plenty more planned for next year so watch this space.

Billy Ocean in Oxford

I kept up the tradition of cricket related people I bean in the last book, Lives & Times. I met with journalist George Dobell in Birmingham, and commentators Daniel Norcross and Natalie Germanos. I am still hoping to meet Ebony Rainford-Brent and Mike Selvey. 

The world of television, media and entertainment has been very fruitful with meetings with Victoria Derbyshire, Nicola Bryant, Bill Turnbull, Sean Fletcher, David Baddiel, Janet Ellis, and Colin MurrayI spent a brilliant day in South Yorkshire where I met writer and broadcaster Andrew White, followed by the brilliant poet Ian McMillan. There was also a trip to Glasgow to meet Laura Boyd from STV - Laura who has been living with leukaemia since 2009. The year ended with a wonderful meeting with Basil Brush in pantomine at Windsor.

Boom Boom!

So as 2018 approaches the journey continues. I have a big list of people I am hoping to meet up with including, Kim Wilde, Michelle Collins, Susan George, Dan Walker, Daf Wyn-Farr Jones, Frazer Hines, Steve Norman, The Levellers, Jona Lewie, Jay Aston, Jules Peters, Adam Green Kirsty Duffy, Terry Christian, Ed Bazelgette, Stacey Heale, Sian Lloyd, Matt Allwright, Richard & Sarah Haugh, Mark Flannigan, Mari Isdale, Jacquie Beltrao, Omid Djalili, Noel Darvell, Gareth Jones, Freya North, Gail Porter, Elizabeth Alker, David Grant, Nick Robinson, and Annabel Giles. I am also still on the lookout for more people.

A big thank you to everyone who has been involved so far, and for those who are upcoming in 2018. The recent news of Beating Bowel Cancer merging with Bowel Cancer UK, creating the UK's leading bowel cancer charity gives fresh impetus to everyone, and the hope that in the future no-one will die of bowel cancer. I will continue with my fundraising and helping to raise awareness.

I wish everyone a very Happy New Year, and I hope 2018 is a good one for everyone.

New Model Army at The Forum

I was extremely grateful to Justin Sullivan & New Model Army for organising me a photo pass for their gig at The Forum in London this week. It was a brilliant opportunity to photograph the band in action, and I was then able to enjoy what was a fantastic concert. The experience of being in the photo pit to do this was amazing, and one I won't forget, although one of security guards got a bit funny about camera light meters which threatened to ruin things at one point. I got some great photos - this one will not be in the book, and just to mention Justin's first record is a cracker!

I am hoping that The Record will be published towards the end of 2018, although there is no time limit, and I am not going to put myself under any unnecessary pressure. All proceeds from sales of this book will be donated to Beating Bowel Cancer. My Mum was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2012, and died after fighting with great courage and dignity for over four years in August 2016. Bowel cancer is the second highest cancer killer in the UK claiming 16,000 lives each year. However, if detected early it can be successfully treated in over 90% of cases. Much more needs to be done in raising awareness about this awful disease, and improving early diagnosis rates. The more we speak about it, and break down the awkwardness surrounding conversations about our bowels, the more chance we have of making people aware of the symptoms and getting themselves checked out.

The Levellers Get Involved With Bowel Cancer Charity Book

I am really pleased to reveal that The Levellers have got involved with, The Record, my forthcoming  charity book that will raise funds for Beating Bowel Cancer. I can't say too much about it at the moment, except that it is going to be something very special for sure.

The new book is being done in memory of my mum who passed away from bowel cancer in August 2016, and it's the follow up to Lives & Times, which has so far raised over £3400 for the charity. Bowel cancer is the second highest cancer killer in the UK claiming 16,000 lives each year. However, if detected early, it is one of the most treatable cancers, and can be successfully treated in over 90% of cases. Raising awareness and early detection are key to bringing down the number of deaths. 

Nicola Bryant "Peri" from Doctor Who Joins Bowel Cancer Charity Book

This week I met up with actress, Nicola Bryant, perhaps best remembered for playing "Peri Brown" in Doctor Who during the 1980s. She was ever so nice, and great fun as well. We probably spent more time talking about dogs than anything else. Nicola was sporting her "Harvey" scarf, and I had Prince along for the ride, and Nicola made a big fuss of him which made her a new friend. Of course we talked about her time on Doctor Who, but also in the chapter there will be a few interesting facts about Nicola that I did not know, and her first record is a cracker! Bowel cancer has also touched Nicola's family on her partner's side, so I was really grateful for her support. The book is now over half completed. I am hoping it might be ready by the end of 2018, but there is no deadline, so we shall see. Keep following the blog for updates.

Bowel cancer is the second highest cancer killer in the UK. Each year 41,000 people are diagnosed with it, and 16,000 lose their lives. However, if detected early it can be successfully treated in over 90% of cases, so it is crucial to raise awareness about bowel cancer, and improve early detection rates. 

My mother passed away in August 2016 after over four years of bowel cancer. She had five major operations, but managed to lead a normal and very happy life right up until the last few months when the cancer spread to her brain. My current fundraising book, Lives & Times, has raised over £3400 for Beating Bowel Cancer, and all proceeds raised from sales of the forthcoming book will also be donated to the same charity.