emotions

I am feeling very emotional just now. And it's not just because I'm blogging for the first time in a long while (forgive me) but because Helen has introduced me to 'spotify' and I am listening to music that is evoking strong memories. Memories of my late brother Mike and other members of my family, and there are quite a few of them, who have left this world for the next. Music can really do that can't it?
We are having a family gathering at our house this weekend (yes, a barbecue so sorry to have cursed the weather for you!) and it's the first time we will all be together for a long time. My sister will be there, she lost her daughter to Leaukemia many years ago but the pain of that loss remains ever present. All my brother Mikes' kids (and their mum) will be there but it won't seem right that their Dad is not there too. My eldest brother Tony died many years ago but I still think about him a lot. Mum and Dad are gone too as are all my aunts and uncles. I guess the next funerals will be ours! Now there's a happy thought for the Bank holiday weekend. And.......it looks like lots of cousins, nieces, nephews (and the 'Great' version of them!) are coming too. So....

Come on Pete snap out of it! Okay. We are going to have a good weekend and we don't care if it rains.

There is obviously too much to try and tell you about what's been going on but safe to say that, my emotions apart, everything at napac and on Planet Pete generally is going well. Those close to the charity probably know that I have just returned from South America where, amongst other things, we hiked the Inca Trail in Peru. And in the course of doing so, one of the party, our Treasurer Ken Newell, raised over £1300 for napac. When I can work out how, I will put the photos somewhere for you to see. Suffice to say, for now, how proud I was when the four of us reached Machu Picchu wearing our napac tee shirts. And yes, even on that amazing (and very tough) trek two people in our party of twelve disclosed that they had suffered childhood abuse. I can't get away from it..................what a world.

Yes, we met some truly wonderful people on our holiday. The challenge now I guess is to try and keep in touch. That shouldn't be such a big problem with this internet lark should it? We'll see. Look at me and my blogging record.

One thing's for sure. Scandinavia is another part of the world that needs a napac so watch out! We are looking to expand beyond our borders.

But in the shorter term we are planning our next big push in the UK. And that is establishing local napac support groups wherever they are needed. Quite a task. Quite a challenge. But we are up to it. We will need a lot of help (this might mean YOU!) but its the next big challenge and I know we are up to it. If you think you can help.............give me a call.

Would be good to hear from you. Well, the clock is telling me it's near that time. It's time to do battle on the Old Kent Road. White van driver is waiting for me so into my Lycra I must climb and onto the tarmac I must nose my bike. They might be cocooned in metal and plastic and have their music blaring (when they're not on their mobiles) and they may have engines, BUT I will be home before them!

Thought for the Bank Holiday weekend.

Jesus loves you. Think about it. It's a lovely thought!

Have a good one.
Pete

Summer's here at last!

But how long will it last? Until tomorrow morning I hope when I plan on going out with the cycling club.
Our national Lottery visitor has just left and a very nice chap he was too. We now have to wait until September to find out if we are getting the grant. How that would change everything for us! We have so much to do and not having to worry about money for a couple of years would be such a boost.
Talking of money, the fundraiser in Dudley was a great success. It was only a small crowd but Chrissie raised over £400 for napac and that was a great result. The Liverpool signed football went for £100 as did the signed England soccer shirt but only £10 was raised from the auction of the signed Aston Villa ball................you would have thought that being up that way (Birmingham ) it would have fetched more? Still, some you win..............
Friendly people in Dudley and the castle was quite impressive.

Well after a very tiring week it's time to head out onto the road. Have a good weekend and send our regards to your folks.
Pete
PS Still waiting for those cheques for the book and CD!!!

Time is running out.

5pm is fast approaching and I am beginning to feel the call of the wind..............well the call of the traffic on the Old Kent Road anyway.
It's been a very tiring but productive week. On Monday we had the napac AGM. On Tuesday I .................spent a lot of time in therapy! On Wednesday I visited the Body Shop Foundation in LA. (Little ampton!!) and yesterday we got confirmation that the beautiful Body Shop people would be making a substantial donation. We love them! Yesterday also saw young Helen produce our first newsletter in nearly two years. What a girl. If you are on our mailing list you will be receiving a hard copy in the post but if you are reading this then we would hope that you can let us know that we don't need to waste time, paper, postage, sweat etc because you will be able to read it on-line. It even contains some extracts from my blog............so now you know to avoid reading it.
It is the fundraising evening at Club Dudley in Dudley, West Midlands tomorrow evening and I hope it's not hot and humid driving up there. It's just that today in London. I have never visited Dudley before but apparently it has it's own castle. I shall look out for that. And if you happen to be anywhere near Club Dudley tomorrow evening (Saturday 27th June) then pay us a visit. I am always more than willing to let you buy me a pint. I am very kind like that!!
Well it's time to Lycra up and head into them hills (okay I know, I know there ain't no hills round here but I have to struggle up Cote de Loampit Hill in Lewisham on the way here in the morning then tackle the gruelling Col de Bromley on the way home). It's no fun when you are old and fat.............and let's hope that you are one day..........old I mean not fat. I'm not keen on the alternative to growing old.
Have a good one.
Love
Pete

Sevenoaks Chronicle

Apparently we made the front page of this fine local paper yesterday. If anyone happens to hail from the Sevenoaks area please do napac a favour and get us a copy would you? Many thanks. You can also read about the child abuser case in question on the Chronicles website. It's to do with a convicted abuser being invited to perform his music in public.............not very appropriate we feel.
Have an awesome weekend and stay beautiful!
Love
Pete

PS WE MIGHT also get a mention in the News of the World on Sunday but don't buy a copy just for that as it may not happen.

The Inca Trail

Get a load of this..................
http://www.justgiving.com/kennewellinca

42 Miles

Well it was only 42 miles but with the ride to the meeting place and back it was nearly 50 miles!

Now, without further ado I want you to write this in your diary. Jayne and Pauls' gig (Secret Mission) at the Railway Hotel (pub) in Bromley. Saturday evening 22nd August. Yes I know it seems a long way off but it's coming up for summer and I don't want you to miss out so write it down and tell your friend! The Railway Hotel is not a theme pub. It is a real pub and it's opposite Bromley North overground station. So, no excuses. The live music will be amazing!!!
And also, whilst you've got the diary handy write my birthday down for next year because you forgot to send me a card. It's 27th April 2010 and it lasts all day.

Well we've sent off our lottery application. If we get it..............I am buying champagne!!

I went to the dentist today. My first filling in about 15 years and guess what? I didn't cry or scream. In fact it was only mildly uncomfortable .............and he said it was a "deep filling" (sounds like some sort of apple tart).
What a hero I must be!!! (if only)

Hope your week is going well. Friends of mine are doing the London - Brighton this weekend in aid of the British Heart Foundation. If you want to sponsor them pleasevisit http://www.justgiving.com/johngriffiths1

All three lads have fundraised for napac in the past and I believe one good turn deserves another......so remember how kind I have always been to you.............and remember that my Inca Trail trip in July is another opportunity to support napac as we have set up a justgiving website for that too!

Blessings to you in abundance.
Love
Pete

Give us £6.........please.

Send us a cheque for £6 (or more if you are feeling generous) made out to 'NAPAC' and we will send you a copy of Parallel Lives, a brilliant book of poetry that contrasts the lives of two girls.........one who is abused and one who isn't. It's a clever little book that explores the emotional wreckage that perpetrators leave in their wake. It won't take you long to read but it WILL move you. Cheques please to NAPAC, 42 Curtain Road. London EC2A 3NH.

The talk at the Royal College of Physicians went down a treat. Talking of treats the lunch was fabulous. Pity I was so nervous that I couldn't eat my customary 2nd and 3rd helping. Never mind, I need to loose weight. Helps going up those hills on the bike.

The 140 doctors were a lovely bunch and extremely receptive to what I had to say about supporting survivors of abuse. Many didn't have a clue so it was great to be there and to have such an impressive platform. And I gave them all leaflets so here's hoping we get one or two donations. More importantly..and this was the message I gave..........I hope they listen and hear to what survivors tell them and think twice before reaching for that prescription pad.

On Wednesday evening I went to an amazing event at Central Hall Westminster where a chap called Tony Campolo spoke. What a guy (despite being American). He had the audience in stitches as he delivered a message about Love. He talked about poverty, the sick, the young, the elderly and animals (how we mistreat them too) and how the world has gone completely off the rails and lost sight of what we should really be about ..............and that is Love.

He also pointed out to the men in the audience how we are all winners because as a sperm we were the ones who beat off the competition of 5 million other sperms to become who we are. I had never thought of that. It was often pointed out that I was a "mistake" as a child but to realise that I was a champion race-winning sperm made me feel really good................

Have great weekend (if you are reading this on Friday or Saturday) and don't forget to send that six quid........we'll get the book in the post by return.

Stay awesome and love your neighbour.
Pete

PS Big Foot Cycling Club......Saturday morning...........opposite Big Foot Cycles in Hayes, near Bromley. Be there for 8.30am..a gentle 50 miles!!!!!