Past Events
Sibling Day – Country Wide Special Events, Brook, Surrey, Sunday 11th July 2010
On Sunday 11th July, 50 children, parents and Trust members experienced a fantastic day out at Country Wide Special Events! The day started with a fabulous breakfast of bacon rolls, fruit, juices and hot drinks. Having been put into our teams we then went to try out our first activity of the day. Activities included: building a tower using crates, Quad Bikes, Power Turns, Climbing Wall, Human Football and Team building exercises. There were three activities before lunch, allowing each participant plenty of time to master a new skill or challenge. We met back at the centre for a delicious lunch, with a general sense that everyone had really enjoyed the activities they had taken part in and were looking forward to trying more. There were two more challenges to follow lunch, finished with a team building exercise. Afternoon tea was followed by prize giving with everyone proud of their achievements. Exhausted and happy we were then transported back to the Marsden by coach.
The Trust would like to thank the staff who looked after us so magnificently on the day, making it truly a day to remember! There was so much laughter and the biggest smiles.
The day was so successful that the trust is hoping to repeat the experience again this year! (late Summer) Clare Mulle will advertise at the Royal Marsden for siblings and parents to experience this great day out, allowing them some quality time together in what can be such a difficult time.
We are very proud to reveal that one of our teams actually broke a longstanding record for the number of crates stacked on top of each other!
Click here to view photos of the day and don't forget to add the Emily Ash Trust as a friend on Facebook to view all our photos of past events!
Pamper Day at Top Shop – Oxford Street – May 6th 2010
Every four to six weeks we organise a trip for between 2 and 8 patients who are taken by limo up to Topshop, Oxford Street. It gives the young patients a chance to have a day out of the hospital environment, to have lunch at Garfunkels and then with the help of personal shoppers - kit themselves out with a new wardrobe.
What a fantastic day we all had. We travelled up by limo and had lunch at Garfunkel’s, just opposite Topshop in Oxford Street. Everyone had a fab afternoon trying on lots of things helped by the personal shoppers. After two and a half hours we were all well and truly shopped out!! Everyone was grateful for their day and this couldn’t have happened without the continued support of the EAT. Claire Forrester
2nd Annual Spanish Ball - Saturday 17th April 2010
James Wild, the Spanish Ball organizer was on the brink of cancelling the Ball after the problems with the flights in the UK, and the only option was to get Olly Murs driven over to Spain.
We are very grateful that Olly would travel for 23 hours and drive to Marbella for the Emily Ash Trust, saying there was no way that he was going to let the charity down.
It was a huge boost to us to know Olly was on his way, because around 40 guests who were coming from the UK were unable to get there, along with our other singer Donovan Blackwood. Also, once Olly posted the Ball on twitter, en route, we had no problems making the numbers up.
After a gruelling journey and arriving only an hour before the start of the ball, he had a quick clean up and was happy to meet with all our guests and have photos taken and sign autographs.
He then did a set of 8 songs which had the whole place on its feet. Olly was very interested in the Emily Ash Trust, and how this fantastic charity helps children with leukaemia, and supports the family through very difficult times. This was our 2nd Annual Ball in Spain and raised in excess of £30,000
Otford Four - March 6th 2010
On Saturday March 6th, the fantastic Otford Four: Lewis Balcombe, Samuel Gaskin, Samuel Thompson and Elliott Chandler set off on a sponsored cross-country bike ride, that took them along muddy tracks and over many stiles! This intrepid quartet took on this challenge after they were inspired by a friend's brother who had been diagnosed with cancer.
Our Patron, Robbie Earle, wanted to thank the boys personally and so attended an assembly at their school - Otford Primary, Sevenoaks, on Monday 22nd March where he presented them with certificates, medals and a small gift.
The Emily Ash Trust is so grateful to all the heroes and heroines who have been inspired to raise money for the Trust in order that we can continue to help children and their families suffering with cancer. You can add to the boys' total @ www.justgiving.com/theotfordfour
Pamper Day at the Royal Marsden – November 10th, 2009
Again, every four to six weeks the members of the Trust, all volunteers, don their professional hats and organise a pamper day at the Royal Marsden in Sutton, for the parents, guardians and patients. This allows parents and carers, who simply haven’t got the time or opportunity to get to a hairdresser, the chance to relax for a couple of hours while our experts make them look beautiful! There is also the opportunity to have lunch a chat and some goodies to take away with them.
Emily Ash Trust Annual Ball – Saturday 17th October 2009
The Emily Ash Trust Ball 2009 took place on Saturday 17th October at the Copthorne Hotel, Effingham. The theme of the evening was James Bond and once guests had negotiated Passport Control they were greeted by a number of Bond characters and enjoyed cocktails - shaken, not stirred!
During the evening, guests enjoyed a three course meal and were entertained by live music:
We were all shocked when two people were kidnapped but as always, James Bond saved the day and rescued them from the evil clutches of Blofeld. The Bond theme continued with a Casino later in the evening.
Thanks to Mike Osman our auctioneer, the bids for the auction items exceeded our expectations as his humorous control of the bidding encouraged people to dig ever deeper. The raffle for the car, a Hyundia i10 from Belmont and the fabulous diamond ring (donated by Robert Campell & worth £5000) added to the evening's impressive total.
Peter Yates, our Chairman and Robbie Earle our Patron both provided moving and inspiring speeches about the role of the Trust and the differences it makes in the lives of families coping with cancer.
The Ball was a huge success and our thanks go to everyone involved in helping to make it such a fantastic evening of first class entertainment. We would also like to thank everyone who donated to children's wishes, bid so generously for items and bought raffle tickets, making an impressive total in excess of £50,000
If you would like to attend next year's Ball, details for this will be provided soon on the website, or you can email us stating your interest and we will send you the details.
Tri for Life - Sunday 6th September, 2009
We have recently become a partner in this fabulous fund raising idea, set up by the late Harvey Selby, who had a vision to widen the circle of support given to others. He saw the opportunity to combine the fastest growing sport with that of raising money for charities and set up Tri for Life. It is an event for all the family; it’s fun energetic but with a serious goal, to raise money for those in need. This year it takes place on the 6th September, at Eton College Boating House, Dorney Lake, Eton and Windsor.
Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, this year’s triathlon provided participants with the opportunity to compete alongside England champion Laurence Dallaglio and football pundit Robbie Earle.
Tri-for-life raises funds for nine different charities and have this year formed partnerships with a number of charities, The Emily Ash Trust being one: www.triforlife.co.uk/partners.html
With a choice of two distances either 400m swim, 5K run and 20K cycle or an 800m swim, 30K cycle and a 7.5K run, participants were able enter as an individual or a team. There was also a Scootathlon for children between 4 and 8 so everyone could take part!
Parents and boys from Elmbridge Rugby Club took up the challenge, this year 46 agreed to take part and give something back, most of them from the Under 14 team. The boys showed true dedication whilst combining rugby training and games they have been at Liquid Leisure, Datchet every Sunday at 6am for open water swim practice. Thanks to Mike Trees of 2XU who has supplied the boys with wetsuits and along with Richard Stannard (4 x world champion) both providing training tips.
Liquid Leisure: www.llski.com 2 X U: www.2xu.com
The day was enjoyed by everyone with lots of encouragement provided by supporters and participants proud of their amazing achievements. On behalf of the Trust, the children and their families we would like to thank each and every one of of you for taking part.
One participant, Emilie Saintas has provided her thoughts about the day:
My First TriathlonPerhaps I should start with where I was a year ago compared to where I am today. I would have been recovering from my 7th cycle of chemotherapy, watching my hair grow back and dreading my next operation. It was also at this time that I told The Emily Ash Trust that if I got the all clear then I would do the Triathlon. That operation was my last and signaled the end of my battle with cancer. Month by month my strength built up and I began training for September, to begin with a little exercise would mean I was in bed for days after, I doubted that I could do it but still pushed on, determined. Little by little I saw differences in my strength and endurance. The night before I kept telling myself that I have been to hell and back with the treatment and at some points doubted whether I would even have the strength to keep going. This was going to be a walk in the park compared to that! Feeling how cold the lake was I started to panic, thinking I won’t get to the end, but my mind was so determined to push me to the end I just kept going. I had the support of my family, my boyfriend Joey, best friend Kerrie and so many other people encouraging me on. But it was so exhilarating! The rush when I got out of the lake and running to my bike was amazing, I just wanted to keep going. The breeze across my face and the buzz of everyone else biking around me was incredible. The sheer magnitude of people kept a smile on my face and kept my legs peddling! The run by far was the hardest but I just kept thinking how close I was and how proud I would feel at the end. Luckily for me I was saved by Alex running beside me and giving me goals to run to and eventually ran right to the end, through the crowds yelling my name and seeing everyone cheering and smiling! I couldn’t believe I had completed it and I still can’t believe it, even with a heat pack on my back to help it recover! I remember thinking that I would never be the same person I was before I was diagnosed and that it would change me forever. I always saw this as a negative thing but actually thanks to the triathlon and the mountains of support I have, I can see now in a positive way that the person I was before, never would have thought I could beat cancer or train and complete my first triathlon. And that positive thought will keep me going forever. |
Click here to view photos of the day and don't forget to add The Emily Ash Trust as a friend on Facebook to view all our photos of past events!
The London Triathlon - 1st - 2nd August, 2009
The 2009 Mazda London Triathlon was once again held at the ExCeL centre, London. It is the World's largest triathlon with over 10,000 entrants. The event is open to all levels - from first timers to elites as well as a youth event open to 15-16 year olds.
Our congratulations go to James Wild, James O'Docherty and Stephen Clark who competed on behalf of The Emily Ash Trust:
| Name | Race Number: | Swim: | Bike: | Run: | Total: |  |
| James Wild | 11462 | 00:33:22 | 01:13:50 | 00:46:56 | 02:44:28 | |
| James O'Docherty | 11367 | 00:33:14 | 01:10:59 | 00:52:52 | 02:47:49 | |
| Stephen Clark | 11336 | 00:32:04 | 01:11:44 | 00:52:53 | 02:47:50 |