Wing Mirror Cup Challenge

[LesleyB]

Hi everybody

Pops (my dad) had always been an energetic type and when my mum died he joined the Werneth Veterans Bowling Club in Oldham where he spent many a happy day on the green, bowling with his mates. As pops started to deteriorate with the condition (although we didn't know he had it at the time) he was unable to play, but the lads at the club were fantastic with him and would pick him up to take him to the club and if he wanted a go they would help him onto the green and support him whilst he bowled one.

When he passed away the Club decided they would run an annual event in his name and on the 29th September they held the 'Cliff Taylor Memorial Cup'. They all proudly wore their polo shirts which had dad's initials and year of birth and the year he passed away on them and the games commenced.

At the end of the day when all the battles had taken place on the green, they unveiled the cup which had been made by the President of the club. It was a plinth with dad's picture on, his name and....... a broken wing mirror. This is particularly significant as we all had stories of pop's driving mishaps with cars and the amount of wing mirrors he had to replace, which we now know was the start of his condition. However, we still smile at these driving mishaps as they were told with warmth and love for dad. The event is now known as the Wing Mirror Cup Challenge

It was a gorgeous day with the sun shining and although I had tears in my eyes at the end it was a day dad would have loved. (He would also have loved the potato pie and Cheese and Onion Pie lunch, his two favourites)

We have put a note of the day on the popsforpsp.co.uk website on the newspage and also the pictures are on the gallery page. The lads (well the youngest one is in their mid seventies) look like they are having a great time.

It has taken me this long to put this up on here as emotionally I found it hard being in the place where I had seen dad play such an active part, and it took me a little while to get over the day.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy the pictures. Hope everyone is ok and as always you are all in my thoughts.

Lesley x

I

[VerW]

Hi Lesley,

I have just viewed the pics of all the fit chaps!

What a lovely story and such a fitting way to remember your dad.

I hope you are well and look forward to reading about more of your fund-raising endeavours!

Warmest wishes

Ronc x

[LesleyB in reply to VerW]

Hi Ronc

Thanks for reading and looking at the pics. They are a fit bunch. I will keep you up to date with the fund raising. Unfortunately had to cancel the Genesis Gig this Friday. Not enough ticket sales unfortunately. However, my other half who is part of the band has been rushed into hospital today and it looks like he will be having his Gall Bladder removed tomorrow or the day after so I would have had to cancel anyway. For now its onto a small Christmas Karaoke where I will be selling our Raffle Tickets and the CD, but the main push will be the gala supper and race night with Supper and Disco in January and tickets will be going on sale for that next week.

I am also considering a balloon race with the 900 balloons I still have not sure how to do this yet or when, so if you have any thoughts let me know. Hope you and yours are ok

Lesley x

[dorothy-thompson]

Hi Lesley

What a wonderful story. I am so pleased that you had a great relationship with your dad, with or without his condition.

take care

dorothy-thompson

[LesleyB in reply to dorothy-thompson]

Hi Dorothy

Thanks for reading. I had such a good relationship with dad that I am a bit lost without him. I have just replied to Ronc above and told her my other half has gone into hospital today. In years past dad would have been the first person I would have called and he would have been there for me, picking me up (before the driving and removal of wing mirrors episodes ) and making sure I had everything I needed including going back to his place for a chip buttie!! The bowling event was a great tribute to him and I know he would have loved it.

Thanks Dorothy

Take care of yourself

Lesley x

[SuzieQ]

Hi Lesley

How kind of you to share this lovely event with us. I can fully understand why it has taken a while to write about it on this site. You obviously had a great relationship with your dad (I know exactly how that feels too). My dad did not have PSP and it has been many years since I lost him, but I still think of him every single day and the hole he left in my life could never be filled by anyone else. Thank you so much for sharing your story and well done for helping to raise awareness of this cruel illness.

God bless and take care.

SuzieQ x

[LesleyB]

As always Suzie thank you for reading and commenting on it. I have to admit I find it difficult to share some of my feelings with people outside of the PSP Community and it is very comforting to know that you all are there and don't mind me rabbiting on about what I am doing or things relating to dad , even when you are all dealing with your own difficulties with this terrible condition. Without the people here I would be finding it even more difficult to deal with my loss and for that I am very grateful to everyone

Take care Suzie and I send a big hug to you and your hubby.

Lesley x

[Daria]

Hi Lesley,

Just viewed your pics after reading this lovley story. Everyone looked as if they had a lovely day and what a fantastic way to continue raising the awareness of PSP.

I had to chuckle at the reference to wing mirrors!! My dad used to favour bollards....especially those through traffic calming chichanes. Dad bashed a few before he stopped driving and pre diagnosis.

Just like to say my daughter, Rebecca (21yr old) has had the phonecall today to confirm her place in the 2012 London Marathon running for PSP. Her 'Grumps' (as he was/is known to the grandchildren) would be so proud of her.

Take care and keep up the good work.

Love Daria.x

[LesleyB]

Hi Daria

Ah yes the driving challenges were many What great news for your daughter I'm sure her 'grumps' (what a great name) would be very proud. Let me know if she has a a just giving site so I can sponsor her. Tell her well done from me I'll be thinking of her on the day.

Love Lesley x

[Daria]

Hi Lesley,

Thanks so much for offering to sponsor Becca. She will at some point have a just giving site, she did one this year for her half marathon, which was her first ever run. We also did a white water raft, as a family, in the Canadian Rockies.

The name 'Grumps', for my dad evolved over time. The older 2 grandchildren, my brothers 2, called him Gramps which one day became Grumpy Gramps and they became simply Grumps....which just stuck!! He loved it.

Take care, love Daria.x

[LesleyB]

Hi Daria

Make sure you let me know when she is ready with her just giving site so I can support her. I love the Grumps name and how it came about, it sounds so warm and loving and fun. Take care of yourself

Lesley x

[Fiona_McL]

Lesley,

That looks like a wonderful day, full of memories and fun and warmth. I know exactly what you mean about theses things taking a while to recoiver from, but really, you have been so busy with all the events and fundraising, I'm in awe!

Best wishes

Fiona x

[LesleyB]

Thanks Fiona. It was a lovely day that I'll hold on to that memory. I think the 'doing' of the fund raising etc has helped keep my mind busy, which has been good because when I stop and just take part in something that's related to dad that's when it gets quite hard.

It has been a while since I have seen you on, so I hope you are ok and taking care of yourself.

Look after yourself

Lesley x