Bryan's Blog

Fundraising Update

Hi there

I am sorry the Christmas tree took so long to take down but now that we are into the 6th month of the year I think it is a good time for another Appeal update.

Thanks to the publicity in the Evening News in the build up to Christmas and some more charity events in the first half of the year we are edging closer to the £1,000,000 mark.

A couple of events took recently took place at my old stomping ground at Carrow Road - ironically football matches!!

My first thanks go to Brindley Spings of the Rivergarden Public House who organised a match against the Norfolk Police, following the match which was watched by a decent crowd they went back to the Rivergarden for drinks, a BBQ and raffle.

The second match took place directly after the above game and was organised by Nick and James Clark who along with their university mates played against Blofield United (who won their league and cup this year). I was asked to play by the Clark boys as I work with their dad, Steve, who actually played the first period in goal despite being just over 5ft tall.

After a promising start (by me at centre half and the team) we fell behind to the fitter team and lost 7-2. The "uni boys" regained some pride by winning the penalty kick shoot-out in front of The Barclay, that gave me great pleasure as I scored as well.

Thanks to the game and the raffle which was drawn in Yellows after the game raised £262 for the Appeal.

Thanks to everyone who took part in both events and contributed to the monies raised.

I still have to arrange a date to go back to Swaffham to pick up a cheque for over £600 which was raised in a fundraising event by Swaffham Town FC. We had a gentleman's dinner at the Conservative Club which I attended with my former Canaries team-mate Robert Fleck where we conducted a Q & A session followed by a raffle and auction. Thanks to all in Swaffham for a great evening and a nice cheque.

I have also recently taken part in a "top secret" wedding speech for a best man who wants to surprise his groom on the special day in July. The best man has already raised some money by doing a local 10k run and has donated some "extra" money to the Appeal for the wedding day surprise. Once that cheque comes through we can reveal the names and add the amount to the increasing total.

I would also like to say a massive thank you to the Norfolk Chicken Association who have donated over £8,000 to the Appeal.

Good luck to the team at The Edge at Barnham Broom who are trying to go from Lands End to John O Groats (10 miles from where I was born) during a 24hr marathon on a fitness bike, treadmill, cross trainer and rowing machine. I'll actually be in Portugal on the weekend that they are doing it but I have said I will do 30 minutes on a bike over there to try to help out. Good luck to all at The Edge.

Finally, thanks to everyone for their recent support of the Bryan Gunn Appeal and helping us get nearer to the £1,000,000 mark.

What a brilliant effort!!

Gunny

Happy New year to all of our friends and supporters

Let's hope that 2010 can be a great year for all on a personal and charity front.

I will endeavour (New Year resolution) to update the website on a regular basis this year and keep you all informed of any interesting things happening around the Bryan Gunn Appeal.

I attended the Kirkley & Pakefield FC Christmas lunch on December 21st where I was asked to speak about my past efforts on the football field and future hopes in life. This gave me an opportunity to speak about the Appeal and the great work it has done over the years. Thanks to the generosity of Beccles based company Hickman Supplies, who donated a drill set, we raised £100. The drill was auctioned off and won by businessman Les Dawson. Thank you Les. Also later that evening on visiting the Red Herring restaurant in Oulton Broad I was presented with a very expensive bottle of champagne by proprietor Jeff Jefferson. We will keep this for a future fundraising event where I'm sure it will once again bring in another good amount for the Appeal. Thank you to Jeff for his generosity as well.

As I said I will be updating the site regularly so bye for now (I'm off to take down the Christmas tree).

Bryan