2015 Fundraising Off To A Flyer Start

I Know This Person!

We popped into the local supermarket this morning. This is Booths, a bit upmarket from your Tesco, Sainsbury and Waitrose.

I wasn't expecting to be taken by surprise there, although I was once a bit stunned to see the variety and number of types of vegetarian sausage they had on display (they have retreated a bit on that one, maybe people prefer the normal sausage, filled with doubtful mixtures which should not be enquired into).

On another occasion we were in the wine department, enquiring if they stock Rueda, a very nice Spanish white wine we had recently encountered. They did stock it, and we found this out from the "wine educator", who told us he had trained as a solicitor!

The surprise today was when I looked at the noticeboard which carries announcements of events ranging from theatre events to coffee mornings. I saw my own name staring out at me. Of course I knew the event was coming up and of course that it would be advertised. Lindsay is proving to be very efficient.

I know you have suggestions for talk or signing venues. No matter how crazy, let me know. I will talk to anybody. If you want a signed copy of one of my books in return for a donation, or for any other reason, email me on:

victalksthewalk@gmail.com

Don't be shy. No venue is too small or too large. We have a disease to beat here.

If all other ideas fail you, why, you could just go to the "Donate" button on this page and send your money to the cause.

Follow me on Twitter:
@VicTalksTheWalk

On The Table Top

Picture courtesy of Cape Town Official Tourism Website

Remember a couple of weeks back when I floated the idea of possibly signing and selling my fundraising books at table top sales? Click HERE to see the post about that.

Well, I have now arranged my first such gig. This will be at the Methodist Church in Lytham. They have a table top sale which was postponed from yesterday to January 31st. Thanks to the incredibly helpful Lyndsay, I will now be occupying a prime position and will be available to talk about big walk project, my books, pancreatic cancer, and anything else which takes your fancy.

Come one, come all, let's get this ball rolling! I have a feeling this could be the start of something much bigger. Lyndsay, who I have yet to meet, sounds like somebody who could lead me to other such events. All for the cause of raising funds and awareness of the dreadful scourge which is pancreatic cancer.

I know you have suggestions for talk or signing venues. No matter how crazy, let me know. I will talk to anybody. If you want a signed copy of one of my books in return for a donation, or for any other reason, email me on:

victalksthewalk@gmail.com

Don't be shy. No venue is too small or too large. We have a disease to beat here.

If all other ideas fail you, why, you could just go to the "Donate" button on this page and send your money to the cause.

Follow me on Twitter:
@VicTalksTheWalk

Another Gig And A Tale Of How A Scone Inspired Me To Walk 14,500 Kms For Pancreatic Cancer Research

There are scores of restaurants, cafes and coffee shops in Lytham, where we now live. JP's is the newest arrival. It has been open for about 6 weeks and has very quickly established an excellent reputation and a loyal clientele.

Deservedly so. The coffee is excellent - and different - almost all the cafes in the area sell the same type of coffee but JP's has selected, after considerable tasting and consideration, a different brand. The cakes are splendid and in great variety, attracting a great deal of attention and discussion from the customers. The lunches are eye-catching in their presentation, filling, and  excellent to the taste buds.

At the moment,JP's is open only during the day, but they have gained a licence and will shortly be serving during the evening. A series of themed evenings is planned to attract the discerning diners of Lytham and one of these will be built round a presentation by yours truly. I am not sure whether, being a themed evening, diners will be expected to turn up in their hiking or rambling gear. I don't mind what they wear, but I shall be telling them a very interesting tale of how a scone in New Zealand inspired me to walk 14,500 kms and launched me into a whole new career of fund-raising for pancreatic cancer research.

Today I also opened discussions with another coffee shop about me undertaking a slightly different fund-raising activity there. Watch this space.

I know you have suggestions for talk venues. No matter how crazy, let me know. I will talk to anybody. If you want a signed copy of one of my books in return for a donation, or for any other reason, email me on:

victalksthewalk@gmail.com

Don't be shy. No venue is too small or too large. We have a disease to beat here.
Follow me on Twitter:
@VicTalksTheWalk

Keep It In The Family

In search of groups of people to pitch my talk to, I called in yesterday at a residential care hotel here in Lytham.

The manager was very interested but pointed out that so many of her residents suffer from dementia that it would be impossible to hold their attention for the duration of the 40-minute talk.

"But if you can sing," she said, "that is a different matter. They love to have a singalong.

Well, I don't sing, but my brother Christopher (not him in the photograph) is a professional singer and entertainer, performing as Chris White. So, nothing lost that is kept in the family, I put him in touch with the manageress and I hope he will be entertaining them soon.

If you have suggestions for talk venues, if you want a signed copy of one of my books in return for a donation, or for any other reason, email me on:

victalksthewalk@gmail.com

Don't be shy. No venue is too small or too large. We have a disease to beat here.
Follow me on Twitter:
@VicTalksTheWalk

Am I Really Withdrawing My Books From Sale?

Vic's Big Walk is about my 14,500 kms walking project

Living In The Real Cyprus is about the 8 years we spent living there

Now here's a conundrum.

I am committed to writing at least one more book, probably two. All the proceeds from all my books go direct to pancreatic cancer research. I have just embarked on a project to raise more funds and sell more books by doing talks and presentations on a regular basis. So why would I withdraw my books from sale?

The e-versions of my books are selling very well on Amazon Kindle. They are also available in virtually every e-book version and seller known to man. A steady income is going to pancreatic cancer research from them.

The paperback version, available from Amazon and elsewhere, is not selling as many copies. I think this is fairly normal these days. The strange thing is that although the paperback version costs more, the profit from each copy is negligible and much less than each, cheaper, e-book.

The paperback copies I sell elsewhere, at presentations and elsewhere, are sold at an enhanced price because they are individually signed and dedicated to the buyer or to the person for whom they are intended (perhaps as a gift). And because I make it very clear that they are for an important cause and that therefore they include a donation. I have now decided to make the paperback versions available only through these direct sales. So they will no longer be available from Amazon or from bookstores.

If you have suggestions for talk venues, if you want a signed copy of one of my books in return for a donation, or for any other reason, email me on:

victalksthewalk@gmail.com

Don't be shy. No venue is too small or too large. We have a disease to beat here.
Follow me on Twitter:
@VicTalksTheWalk

Sid and Sunrise Over The Delta

This was sunrise over the Ribble Delta this morning - picture taken from our balcony before we headed off to Chorley for a very interesting chat with Sid Calderbank.

Sid is a "Professional "Lancastrian". He makes his living by giving talks and singing songs in the old Lancashire dialect. Only a few days ago we saw Sid on TV, in "Country File" on BBC - an edition which specialised, as Sid obviously does, in Lancashire.

Sid is a sort of relative of our good friend Dale Heighway - the one person to walk a day with me in France during Vic's Big Walk. In fact this was the 44th day of the walk and the final one in France. We have kept in touch with Dale and Thérèse and we had a visit from them only last week, although they live in Normandy.

We had sought out Sid to pick his brains about how he goes about the business of getting gigs. And I have to say he was very helpful. He has given me some very good pointers and I am very grateful, as well as confident that I will now be able to get more fundraising "business".

If you have suggestions for talk venues, if you want a signed copy of one of my books in return for a donation, or for any other reason, email me on:

victalksthewalk@gmail.com

Don't be shy. No venue is too small or too large. We have a disease to beat here.
Follow me on Twitter:
@VicTalksTheWalk

Progress

I have had a busy week. No more fundraising gigs to report, but several under discussion and several new contacts made. One thing I have found is that some organisations have speakers booked all the way through 2015. Not to worry, mine is a long-term project. I hope so anyway, as the culmination date is my 80th birthday and I am not ready for that yet.

One Wednesday evening Gay and I found ourselves staying overnight at the Holiday Inn in Ellesmere Port, so that we could attend a small gathering at the Jabula South African Restaurant, which is virtually next door, and also next door to the Inland Waterways Museum. All this is on the Manchester Ship Canal, which I sailed down in 1957, when it was still thriving.

Unfortunately the Museum was closed during the hours we were there, but the restaurant was open and was most excellent. Not our first experience of South African food as we have been twice to visit Gay's brother Tim in Cape Town. The food was at least as good as anything we have experienced in South Africa and were were assured by South Africans present that it was very authentic.

Click HERE for a link to the Jabula Website.

Not a totally wasted week. I sold a couple of books and had a couple of donations. So progress is being made.

Tabling An Idea

Anybody know anything about Table Top Sales? This seems to be a concept which has arisen while we have been living overseas.

We popped into one the other day, at a church in Lytham.

Most, if not all, of the stalls seemed to be selling things to raise funds for various charities.

So I got to thinking, what if I had a stall selling autographed copies of my books, of which all the proceeds go direct to pancreatic cancer research. Any reason why not?

If you live in the area and you have a sale coming up, please contact me.

Or if you If you have suggestions for talk venues, if you want a signed copy of one of my books in return for a donation, or for any other reason, email me on:

victalksthewalk@gmail.com

Follow me on Twitter:
@VicTalksTheWalk

You Can Help Give Two More Months Of Life

Sign the Petition The Two More Months campaign achieved a great win for pancreatic cancer patients when hundreds of supporters wrote to their MPs and campaigned to have Abraxane, a new treatment for pancreatic cancer, added to the Cancer Drugs Fund in England. Now Abraxane is in danger of being delisted from the Cancer Drugs Fund - but you can help save it bysigning and sharing our new petition.

Epic Hairstyles, Positive Outlooks And Thinking Of Others

This is Jonathan Taylor. It is not his normal appearance. This hairstyle is a creative use of the of the hair loss following chemotherapy, You can see what he normally looks like if you click HERE for an inspiring story about him in the Northern Echo.

Jonathan has Lymphoma, a cancer from which he is currently in metabolic remission, which means it is dormant but will probably come back and take his life.

Jonathan's answer to this has been not to wallow in self-pity but to write a book, the first of a series, and to form a support group for fellow lymphoma sufferers in the North East, where no such organisation existed before.

The chemotherapy has left him with severe nerve damage and ended his career as a builder. Jonathan is now a writer and clearly does not let any grass appear beneath his feet.

He has been kind enough to ask me to speak to his lymphoma support group at James Cook Hospital in Middlesborough. I am happy to do so.

Why would I speak to lymphoma sufferers about my big walk for pancreatic cancer support? Well, I think one of the messages from my epic walk is that huge tasks are not beyond us if we put our minds to them. Another is that, whatever your dreadful situation, there are other people out there who care and who are trying to help.

As it happens, in my immediate family there has not only been pancreatic cancer but there has been lymphoma, brain cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. There have been fatalities but there have also been miraculous recoveries.

There is always hope.

And there are always others to think of.

If you have suggestions for other venues, if you want a signed copy of one of my books in return for a donation, or for any other reason, email me on:

victalksthewalk@gmail.com

Follow me on Twitter:

@VicTalksTheWalk

Churches, Hospitals?

As I reported earlier, the first of my UK speaking gigs for Pancreatic Cancer UK will be in a church, or at least in a church building.

When I say the first gig, I mean the first to be arranged. The second to be arranged looks as if it will take place earlier, and it will be at a meeting within a hospital.

More soon.

If you have suggestions for other venues, if you want a signed copy of one of my books in return for a donation, or for any other reason, email me on:

victalksthewalk@gmail.com

Follow me on Twitter:

@VicTalksTheWalk

First Gig Will Be In Church

I now have confirmation of my first UK speaking gig for Pancreatic Cancer UK. The venue is at Trinity Methodist Church in Pemberton, near Wigan.     

The organisation is Orrell Gentlemens' Club -  I am told there's an obvious joke there but Frank Dawber, a member of the club, who arranged this, is certainly a gentleman. I spent a day with Frank when he and several members of his walking club the Walters (Worked All Life, Took Early Retirement) escorted me, in relays, through Lancashire during my epic walk from the Pyrenees to the Pennines. 

The Orrell club meet each Thursday and frequently have a speaker. I shall be on the menu March 26th. It is possible that in addition to the Orrell Club members, some members of the Walters will also be present.

Although this is the first talk to be arranged, don't be shy about asking me to do one before March 26th. I am very flexible.

First Gigs Are Shaping Up

I have a number of talks under negotiation. The first one to be fixed up, hopefully in the next couple of days, is for a Gentlemen's Club in Lancashire.

Others being talked about are for a staff reunion at one of my old employers, a walking club in Gloucestershire, a social club in Merseyside and a lifeboat support group in Lancashire. 

Once I have done the early ones, it should snowball, with introductions from one to another. I am particularly keen to do some for the WI, as it seems they have an insatiable need, and pass you on from one to another.

If you have suggestions for other venues, if you want a signed copy of one of my books in return for a donation, or for any other reason, email me on:

victalksthewalk@gmail.com

Follow me on Twitter:

@VicTalksTheWalk

Vic And Gay On Tour

This blog is about my project to raise further funds for pancreatic cancer research by travelling around, giving talks to clubs and other interested bodies.

The talks will be about my Big Walk project, from inception to completion 14,500 kms later, I have already done several of these talks to groups of English speakers in France, where they were a great success. The fundraising bit comes at the end of the talks, not with a "whip-round", but sales of autographed copies of my books. There is no obligation to buy.

The first talks will take place in 2015. I believe I have clinched the date for the first talk. More soon.

@VicTalksTheWalk

Join The Social Media Thunderclap

On Thursday, November 13th organisations and individuals around the world will mark the first ever World Pancreatic Cancer Day.

Pancreatic cancer has one of the lowest survival rates of any cancer; a little known fact and something that has barely changed in more than 40 years.  World Pancreatic Cancer Day will help to bring about a much needed change in awareness levels about the disease and a focus on the need for urgent change.

This exciting initiative is being lead by an international group of patient organisations, including Pancreatic Cancer Action, who are committed to tackling the fight against pancreatic cancer by raising awareness of the disease and importantly, the poor overall survival rates.

The launch of World Pancreatic Cancer Day will be marked with a number of exciting developments, including a dedicated website and a social media campaign.  In order to achieve our ambition of raising awareness of pancreatic cancer on an international scale – and establishing a strong foundation for the future – we are keen to get as many people and organisations involved as possible.

In its first year the project is being sponsored by Celgene, a multinational biopharmaceutical company committed to improving the lives of patients worldwide.

You can get involved today by joining our World Pancreatic Cancer Day Thunderclap, which will blast out a message across social media about the signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer.

It's Not Orange, It's Purple

In The Purple

As I mentioned in another post, November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.  Along with finding a cure, raising awareness of pancreatic cancer among a largely unaware population is a major object of campaigners.

On November 1st, buildings across the country were illuminated in purple as part of the awareness campaign. And when you think "illuminations", there is no more obvious place in the country than Blackpool, home of the famous annual Illuminations. Local supporters arranged for Blackpool Tower to become purple for the day. Some of the other buildings taking part will remain purple for the whole month. Some will return to the imperial colour on November 13th, for another special day, on which more later.

Clicking on the picture will take you to more details of the "Purple Lights For Hope" campaign. Next year your house could be purple for the day - or your church, your pub ...

Free Book

Would you like an autographed copy or one of my books?

To celebrate Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, I will run this offer only until 30th November.

If you are in UK, just make a donation (using the Donation button above to the right of this page) of £30 or more. Then email me at

victalksthewalk@gmail.com

 with your address details. And tell me which book you want. I will post you a personally autographed copy of the book of your choice.

If you are outside UK, just make a donation of £35 or more and do the same thing.

Of course, if you prefer to read books electronically, both of these books are available in e-form at Amazon Kindle or almost all other e-book suppliers. The royalties are small but they go direct to the charity. You could always make a donation as well :-)

And don't forget - Vic is dying to Talk The Walk to your club or organisation. Discussions are under way with a number of organisations, I am talking bookings for next year.

Why Am I Talking The Walk In My Mid To Late 70s?

My first wife died as a result of pancreatic cancer, as have a number of my friends and contacts. In every case, another problem, such as back pain, was diagnosed. In every case, the time from diagnosis to death was a few short weeks. This is the norm with pancreatic cancer.

With many other cancers, enormous progress has been made in the past few years. No cancer is fun but some versions of cancer have gone from being an almost certain death sentence to being eminently treatable, with vastly improved survival rates.

During the same period, very little progress has been made in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer.

• 40 years ago, there were very few survivors of childhood leukemia. Now the survival rate is 80%
• 40 years ago 46% of women diagnosed with breast cancer survived 5 years or more. Now the survival rate is 80%
• 40 years ago 3% of those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer survived 5 years or more. TODAY THE SURVIVAL RATE IS STILL 3%!

That is why, in my 8th decade, I have committed my efforts to at least the start of my 9th decade to do what little I can towards the changing of that last figure.

And you can help me.

Email me at

victalksthewalk@gmail.com

New Targets, New Blog

In 2010 I walked 2,000 kms, from my then home in the French Pyrenees to the house in Blackpool where I was born. I did this in a symbolic 70 days, to arrive at the house on my 70th birthday. In fact, for the whole project, with training, I walked 14,500 kms. I did all this to raise funds for Pancreatic Cancer UK. I set a target of £7,000 but raised over £10,000.

This YouTube link shows the BBC NorthWest coverage of the finish to the walk:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXEsgaK8EL0

After the walk, I wrote a book - "Vic's Big Walk from SW France to NW England", about my experiences. This is available in paperback and in virtually every e-version known to man - Kindle, iBooks, Kobo, and many more. All proceeds of all versions go direct to Pancreatic Cancer UK. As do the proceeds of my second book "Living in the Real Cyprus". And more books to come. 

The talks I give are generally about the walk, with readings from that book. I have done several talks in France (where I lived until a few weeks ago) to groups of English residents. They have gone down very well. I have also made available individually autographed copies of my books. There is no obligation to buy these, but they have gone down very well also. 

Pancreatic cancer remains an appalling serial killer, with, unlike many cancers, no progress made in the past 40 years in diagnosis and treatment

Now I am again resident in UK I have set up a whole new phase of my fundraising for pancreatic cancer research, called "Vic Talks The Walk", complete with a new fundraising page:

https://www.justgiving.com/Vic-Heaney2/

Donations can be made directly by clicking on the "Donate" button to the right of this page.

There is a new target to raise another £8,000 by my 80th birthday, through talks, donations and book sales, with at least one new book forthcoming in the next year.

I am now ready to talk to interested organisations about "talking the walk". I also intend to have available another talk about my experiences living in Cyprus and how so many things are different from what the tourist sees.

I would be pleased to come to your organisation to give one of these talks. Please email me on

victalksthewalk@gmail.com