Abbey Road Chapter

The latest chapter completed is on my visit to Abbey Road to take part in the recording of the world's longest song with Mike Peters and The Alarm. I would say that it was the kind of experience that money can't buy, but it was actually worth every penny :) We were in the same studio used by The Beatles to record so many of their songs, and not forgetting The Alarm recorded their 1984 debut album Declaration there as well. The chapter will document the day, the Love Hope & Strength charity and how the song entitled "The Scriptures" is helping to save lives.

I have also had another very exciting development today, which will hopefully come to fruition in a few weeks time. This adventure just carries on and on :) 

312

Whilst most of my efforts over recent months have been focused on photographing and writing book 2, and on the fundraising for the climb up amount Mount Snowdon, the first book continues to be out there and doing its bit to raise money for the charity. The sales now stand at 312, and I am guessing with a few donations the amount raised is around £500. If you have been affected by bowel cancer in any way please buy a copy, and by doing so you will help raise awareness and contribute to the Beating Bowel Cancer charity. The book is self published on Amazon, and all the royalties I receive go to the charity. I wanted to sell 1000 copies which seems unlikely now, but every sale helps and maybe 500 could still be done with your help?

Climbing Mount Snowdon

Last weekend a group of 9 of us climbed up Mount Snowdon to raise money for the Beating Bowel Cancer charity, and our joint efforts have raised over £2500 thanks to so many family and friends very generously getting behind the team. We were blessed with great weather, and light clouds so the views we got were stunning. The photo was taken from the summit looking out towards the west coast of Wales.

Supporting the charity over the last couple of years I have come to realise how important it is to not just raise money, but to raise awareness about this terrible illness. Far too often sad news comes to pass about another person losing their battle, and this week Charlotte Kitley lost her fight aged just 36. She posted a last blog post shortly before she died. It is a wonderfully moving piece of writing, and it can be read by clicking here.

I have tended to bang on about both the books, and my Mount Snowdon fundraising efforts, and I make no apologies for this. It is so important to keep raising awareness about bowel cancer, and if this in any way goes to help save just one life it is worth doing. There is detailed information on the charity's website here.

Charlie Nicholas

I got to meet ex-Arsenal legend and now soccer pundit on Sky Sports Charlie Nicholas yesterday. On a personal level I think in terms of getting people to come on board the book this was just about as good as it gets for me. He was an absolute gent and we chatted for the best part of an hour. He was very enthusiastic and there is a possibility of this particular chapter in the book evolving a little... ?? :)

Book 1 goes Italian

Book 1 is going to be translated into Italian. I had the offer this week through the babelcube.com website. Maria Giovanna Campobassoy who is going to do the translation unfortunately lost her mother to bowel cancer and is keen to not only translate the book, but donate any proceeds she makes, which is really kind. It's very exciting to have Italian added to the Spanish translation which should hopefully be ready very soon.

Comedy Legend John Shuttleworth

At the end of of a brilliant week for the book with Gabby Logan, Charlie Nicholas and great band The Rifles agreeing to be photographed, today I heard from comedy legend John Shuttleworth who has agreed to meet me and be photographed at his show in Reading at the South Street Arts Centre on October 31st. This is another great coup for the book and the list of people coming on board is growing all the time. Besides getting John for the book I am looking forward to a highly entertaining evening!

My Current Favourite Band Joins The Book!

More good news today as I have been trying to get these guys to come on board for some time. I have seen The Rifles more times over the last couple of years than any other band by a mile. They have become my favourite band over the last few years, and their 4th album "None The Wiser" released earlier this year is my favourite album of 2014. I am so pleased that they replied to my request on Twitter, and the plan is to photograph them for the new book before the next London gig in November. Exciting times...

And Possibly Best Of All....

And the good news keeps on coming for the new book. Today I heard that Charlie Nicholas has agreed to be in the book. Usually I am not one for having heroes or hero worshipping, but going back to my time watching Arsenal in the early 1980s he was without doubt the best player I have ever seen live on a football pitch! These days he is well known for his work as a football pundit on Sky Sports. Getting him for the book is fantastic, and when I set out to do the book he would have been top of my list, and I can't wait to meet up with him and do the photograph. Much thanks to Guy Havord for helping make this happen :)

Gabby Logan to Join The List Taking Part in Book 2

August was another great month for the new book. Meeting and photographing Sir Steve Redgrave was a brilliant experience, and this was followed by Gabby Logan agreeing to come on board the book. She is not only one of the most recognisable faces presenting sport on British television and an ex international gymnast, but she is the daughter of Leeds United legend Terry Yorath, which will please my brother especially. I am not sure exactly where or when it is going to happen, but I am now in contact with her agent to sort it out. I am still putting out requests to people to take part on a daily basis, and when I get positive responses like this it makes all the effort worthwhile. September will also see a chapter on Mount Snowdon challenge I am doing with some friends, which is a sponsored trek for the Beating Bowel Cancer charity. We have raised over £1500 so far, and donations can be made here.