July 13 - Day 93 - “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” John Bunyan

Given today marks the day in 1985 when the Live Aid concerts raised over £50 million for famine victims in Africa, the quotation in the title seems very appropriate.

When I decided to do the ‘Sponsor a Spin’, I certainly wasn’t expecting to raise £50 million (although that would keep St Wilfrid’s Centre open for a further amazing 100 years) but neither did I think that by this stage of the challenge (Day 93), I would have raised £4,692.00. This has, as I mentioned in a previous blog, been significantly enhanced by a very generous anonymous donation, raised I understand through the sale of a personal record collection. The donation was accompanied by a card and the caricature, which I also understand they commissioned, as seen in the picture -What a lovely idea and the picture can’t but make me smile. The only way I can repay the generosity of the donor and the many others, is to express my sincere thanks and promise to ensure that every penny makes a significant difference to the impact the Centre’s work can have on clients’ lives.

“A man there was, though some did count him mad, the more he cast away the more he had.” This was, again, written by John Bunyan, most known for his allegory, Pilgrim’s Progress and what a great idea for all of us to live by. He was someone who certainly stuck to his principles and because of his refusal to say he would stop preaching was imprisoned from 1661 to 1672. It was during the latter part of this time, that he wrote the first part of Pilgrim’s Progress, which is one of the most published books of all time.

There have definitely been some parts of the challenge that have felt like the journey made in the allegory, ‘This hill, though high, I covet to ascend’ and I sometimes feel like I have met characters like Giant Despair and Ignorance. More important than all the hills and difficulties is that through all your support, generosity and kindness, I have also been joined by Hopeful and Faithful throughout the journey. I’m sure they, like you all, will remain with me for the next 57 days and 1710 miles.

If we have not quiet in our minds, outward comfort will do no more for us than a golden slipper on a gouty foot. John Bunyan

“It’s wonderful! Music in the house! Music in the heart!  John Bunyan