Another busy week

After a fantastically successful week in the run up to Valentine's day, this coming week is another busy one for our wonderful supporters.

Let's take a look back at Valentine's week first.

There was a coffee morning and beauty treatments at The Lemon Tree salon in Tuckton which raised £337, a coffee morning and raffle at Elliot's Grandma's house, 'The Great Toy Sale' at Twyford School in Winchester which raised £814, A classical concert on Valentine's night at St Peter's Church in Poole and, of course the Operation Elliot Valentine's Dinner and Auction at the Captains Club in Christchurch.

Regular readers will know that there were some amazing goodies, holidays and experiences donated for the Valentine's auction by businesses in Bournemouth and further afield - across the UK as well as France, Austria and Switzerland.  Congratulations to all the winners.  We're still sorting out the income from that night but it's well over £7,000. All in the week that we exceeded the £30,000 fundraising milestone, a wonderful achievement.

During the week after Valentine's Day Clare Hookem managed her very first 5k run at the Glow in the Park fun run - running at night in this freezing cold weather! Well done Clare for getting your medal - and for looking so perky at the finish line.

So what inspiring things are coming up this week?

This Sunday please go down to the seafront between Boscome and Bournemouth piers to support Carol Francom Davies who will be cycling between the piers 16 times - to make up 25 miles.  We all know it's going to be cold but there's the added pressure of cycling on sand due to the recent storms. Oh Carol, we do hope it will be okay for you, you've been training throughout this grim winter.

We imagine some more grim training is in order for Sophie, Helen and Jules who will be starting a three day puree diet on Thursday 27th Feb.  If you're anything like me and enjoy your food, now might be the time to get to www.justgiving.com/operationelliot to give them some encouragement!

And finally, on 28th February Elliot's Granny and friends are hosting an acoustic gig and supper at home. We're delighted to say that tickets have sold out for this, which is great news - another successful fundraiser before it's even taken place.

We continue to be so grateful to everyone who is chipping in, either by simply spreading the word or organising events or doing their own challenges.  It really keeps us hopeful that we'll make the total for Elliot. Very, very exciting!