Post by SheWolf on May 5, 2004 11:23:24 GMT 1
From the Press and Journal
ALAN GORHAM
09:00 - 05 May 2004
Supporting the Anthony Nolan Trust became a mission for teenager Kevin Humphreys.
Now, nearly two-and-half years after the 15-year-old's death from leukaemia, his parents and siblings continue to help the charity he held so dear.
Mum Carol Humphreys, alongside husband Tim and Kevin's younger sister and brother, Lynn and Stephen, has taken on a major role in the Emmerdale fun day, at Banchory, next month.
And the highlight of the day is the Kevin Humphreys wing walk, set up in memory of the youngster.
Kevin, who died on Christmas Day, 2001, after undergoing a second bone-marrow transplant, had wished he would one day be healthy enough to climb aboard the wings of the propeller-driven biplane.
He and Anthony Nolan Trust fundraising leader George Walker had agreed to make the flight together - and Mr Walker kept his promise to take to the skies after Kevin's death, despite his own fear of heights.
Mrs Humphreys admitted it was Mr Walker, renowned for his commitment to his work, who pulled her back into the fundraising activities
"George had been asking me to get involved and I decided to say all right, I'll go for it, this year," she said.
"We've got 16 people signed up for Kevin's wing walk and they have to raise at least £1,500 each. Nobody just stops at that either, they keep bringing in more and more money.
"Everybody who has been involved in the event has given it so much. Kevin spent so much of his life supporting charity and it's still going strong."
The 2004 Emmerdale day, at Inchmarlo Golf Centre on June 5, is sponsored by Famous Grouse and the Press and Journal.
Mrs Humphreys paid tribute to the support of the Emmerdale cast and in particular Chris Chittell, who plays Eric Pollard in the soap.
"They do so much for the trust, they give up a lot of time and have to go straight back to Leeds to be on-set," she said.
"Chris has been incredible, he is so committed to helping and he was so good to Kevin. He's going through with the wing walk this year, he says, and I know Kevin will be watching him
"They never met face-to-face, it was always over the phone, Chris would call and speak to him.
"I'll always remember how upset Chris was at the end, because he was determined to meet Kevin, he wanted to shake his hand, but I had to tell him it was just the family who were to be with Kevin."
Anthony Nolan Trust representative George Walker paid tribute to Kevin, describing him as the bravest young man he had met. He said Kevin's family had done the charity an enormous service over the years.
"Kevin was such a great lad, he was so strong, he had a great sense of humour and he cared. He was so brave," said Mr Walker.
Mr Walker is still seeking entries for events at the Emmerdale day, including the Whizzing Grouse Slide, a 150-foot zip slide, and the Whisky Chase 10k fun run.
Other activities include live bands, dance, football coaching, a craft fair and a pipe band-led vintage vehicle parade.
Further information and entry forms for the Banchory fun day are available from George Walker on 01467 629468. For details on joining the Anthony Nolan Trust's bone-marrow register, or supporting the charity's work, visit www.anthonynolan.org.uk
ALAN GORHAM
09:00 - 05 May 2004
Supporting the Anthony Nolan Trust became a mission for teenager Kevin Humphreys.
Now, nearly two-and-half years after the 15-year-old's death from leukaemia, his parents and siblings continue to help the charity he held so dear.
Mum Carol Humphreys, alongside husband Tim and Kevin's younger sister and brother, Lynn and Stephen, has taken on a major role in the Emmerdale fun day, at Banchory, next month.
And the highlight of the day is the Kevin Humphreys wing walk, set up in memory of the youngster.
Kevin, who died on Christmas Day, 2001, after undergoing a second bone-marrow transplant, had wished he would one day be healthy enough to climb aboard the wings of the propeller-driven biplane.
He and Anthony Nolan Trust fundraising leader George Walker had agreed to make the flight together - and Mr Walker kept his promise to take to the skies after Kevin's death, despite his own fear of heights.
Mrs Humphreys admitted it was Mr Walker, renowned for his commitment to his work, who pulled her back into the fundraising activities
"George had been asking me to get involved and I decided to say all right, I'll go for it, this year," she said.
"We've got 16 people signed up for Kevin's wing walk and they have to raise at least £1,500 each. Nobody just stops at that either, they keep bringing in more and more money.
"Everybody who has been involved in the event has given it so much. Kevin spent so much of his life supporting charity and it's still going strong."
The 2004 Emmerdale day, at Inchmarlo Golf Centre on June 5, is sponsored by Famous Grouse and the Press and Journal.
Mrs Humphreys paid tribute to the support of the Emmerdale cast and in particular Chris Chittell, who plays Eric Pollard in the soap.
"They do so much for the trust, they give up a lot of time and have to go straight back to Leeds to be on-set," she said.
"Chris has been incredible, he is so committed to helping and he was so good to Kevin. He's going through with the wing walk this year, he says, and I know Kevin will be watching him
"They never met face-to-face, it was always over the phone, Chris would call and speak to him.
"I'll always remember how upset Chris was at the end, because he was determined to meet Kevin, he wanted to shake his hand, but I had to tell him it was just the family who were to be with Kevin."
Anthony Nolan Trust representative George Walker paid tribute to Kevin, describing him as the bravest young man he had met. He said Kevin's family had done the charity an enormous service over the years.
"Kevin was such a great lad, he was so strong, he had a great sense of humour and he cared. He was so brave," said Mr Walker.
Mr Walker is still seeking entries for events at the Emmerdale day, including the Whizzing Grouse Slide, a 150-foot zip slide, and the Whisky Chase 10k fun run.
Other activities include live bands, dance, football coaching, a craft fair and a pipe band-led vintage vehicle parade.
Further information and entry forms for the Banchory fun day are available from George Walker on 01467 629468. For details on joining the Anthony Nolan Trust's bone-marrow register, or supporting the charity's work, visit www.anthonynolan.org.uk