It’s been a while

Sorry for the lack of updates recently, Christmas seemed to come and go and the New Year was upon me before i could blink.  I can’t believe we are nearing the end of February and this is me just getting round to updating the website. Finlay had a wonderful Christmas and was ruined as usual!  Straight after the school holidays he was faced with a week of intensive physio from a therapist from the Cerebral Palsy Physiotherapy Centre in London.  This was Kamila’s first time meeting Finlay so it was new for both at the beginning but she soon figured him out and she had him working his socks off each day (she soon realised that a wee bit of chocolate worked wonders!).  Finlay did us proud throughout the week completing his physio and attending school each afternoon to try and keep up with his education too. Week 3 of the New Year was back into the swing of school full time, weekly physio with Lorraine, homework and the weekly visits from the Child Development Team and things haven’t stopped since.  Finlay has settled remarkably well into school life again and is coping with the level of homework on top of all the other demands in his life – he really is a wee gem…he never complains or groan at the thought of yet more demands on him rather than just chilling out and enjoying being a 6 year old.So what other challenges have we had to endure???The council have returned all our invoices from the extension as invalid as they are not receipts!  I have had to ask all our contractors to provide me with a receipted copy of the invoice which has not only been frustrating but time consuming.  I’m struggling to get the last 2 invoices receipted so we are still unable to submit the receipts in the hope of getting the counicl’s share of the costs of the extension.  It really does make you wonder if they have some ploy to hack you off so much that youturn round and tell them where to shove their money?!!  Believe you me i have come close but then i remember that Finlay is entitled to this support…i’m gettting good at biting my tongue!  Fingers crossed i manage to get the last 2 invoices sorted and we get our money soon.The week after the carry on with the extension we had a carry on with the renewal of the mobility car.  After having to provide information on all our finances and eluding just about everything about our life (these processes are so invasive!!) we were refused support with the down payment of the wheelchair accessible car.  A further hour was given to gathering and copying paperwork to appeal the decision and low and behold we ARE eligible for support!  So the new car is on order and will make life so much easier as we will be able to wheel Finlay straight into the car and fix his chair into place – no lifting, no fighting with his seating position!  What a dream it will be when it’s raining cats and dogs.It’s been a stressful start to the year but all is now in place and we have lots to look forward to in the coming weeks and months.

West Highland Way Completed

West Highland Way Completed by Hollie Porter and Callum McNicol

It’s been a busy weekend for Finlay’s Fund, another donation was received on Saturday for 800 thanks to Hollie Porter and her boyfriend Callum. They completed the West Highland Way on Finlay’s behalf back in May and raised this money through sponsors. Thanks to all their friends and family for their support and i hope the blisters have finally healed!!

Mrs Lindsay School of Dance Donation

After a wonderful evening on Saturday we had a super Sunday – not what you think!! We were very lucky to be presented with a cheque for 1200 from Lindsay School of Dance to help towards the cost of the bed you have all heard so much about! We will now be going ahead and ordering the bed for Finlay thanks to this donation. Well done everyone who helped with the dance show and to the girls for an amazing performance.

Casino Royal 2011

Wow what a night! Everyone looked amazing in their finery and as usual did us proud with the support. Raffles sold out, bar was pretty much sold out and buffet demolished. Casino tables were jam packed right to the end of play and the dance floor took place to the end.Thank you to everyone for their support, a rough count shows you helped raise over 4000 xxx

Right the final tally is done…£4215.83 profit from Saturday’s Casino Night!!!!!!!!!

Such an amazing amount and a fabulous night was had by all from the feedback we have had. We are speechless at the amount raised and so grateful to everyone who attended and those who donated prizes and money if they couldn’t manage

Elizabeth Mathie Completes the Great North Run

Many thanks to Elizabeth for supporting Finlay’s Fund by gaining sponsorship to complete the Great North Run.  She raised a wonderful £305 and i’m sure she had a great time doing it too!!Finlay is one lucky boy to have friends like Elizabeth complete such a grueling run on his behalf

September Donation from the lovely Dave Easton

Yet again proof that we have the best friends ever! Dave Easton prepared and painted Finlay’s new extension for the measly price of coffee, biscuits and a few pints the next time Bruce meets him in the pub!!4 days work for free, his donation to Finlay’s Fund. We are so so grateful and Finlay is Dave’s number 1 fan after he painted his room blue!!

Dave thank you xxx

Finlay’s New Bedroom

Finlay’s room is just about complete and ready to use! Slings delivered for the hoists 2 weeks ago, floor went down on Friday, blinds up yesterday and bed getting reassembled on Tuesday. Lightning McQueen bedding in the machine as we speak ready for the new bed, only problem…Finlay says he’s only having one sleep over in it then he wants to go back to his old room!! Could be a sleepless few weeks until he settles in to his new surroundings.We are delighted with the completed room,it couldn’t have happened without the support of you guys, thank you.

Naidex Exhibition

I (Finlay’s mum) was down at an exhibition of everything disabled yesterday in Glasgow. Wow it was worth the trip!! Got so many tips, was informed about things i should have been told 5 years ago and saw some fantastic pieces of equipment that may benefit Finlay when he’s older.The biggest benefit was looking at and trying out the various beds. They all looked very clinical and hospital like which i’m sure you can understand is not what a 5 year old wants for his bedroom. After seeing how low and high all the beds went i was all set to leave when i came across the answer to all Finlay’s needs. I have found a bed that goes low enough for Finlay to sit on the edge and push himself up to standing but high enough that we won’t hurt our backs when working with him. It is child friendly so doesn’t look clinical and hospital like but not too childish that he’ll hate it when he’s a teenager – ticks every box!! So what’s the downside? Well it costs over 1500!!! Yip 1500 for a single bed but thanks to the support Finlay’s Fund has received over the last 2 years we will be able to go ahead and get him the perfect bed to complete his perfect bedroom.This is why Bruce and I are so grateful for everyone’s support, without it Finlay’s new room would look like a hospital with a second hand bed from the NHS. Words will never convey how thankful we are.Gail x

Shop and raise money for Finlay’s Fund

Do you shop on the internet? If yes, please register yourself with easyfundraising. It does what it says on the tin!! It is easy and it raises funds for your choosen group/charity. All you have to do is register as www.easyfundraising.org.uk You will have to pick the group/charity you wish to support – hopefully you will pick Finlay’s Fund but they have lots of local charities so take your pick. Then it’s happy shopping. The only tricky thing is remembering to go to the shop through the easy fundraising website! Every time you shop a percentage of your total cost goes to your charity. Remember – spend wisely!!

Trolley Tokens

We have had trolley tokens on sale for over a year now but we have just got involved in making them into gift bags for wedding favours or gifts. We have provided two weddings with the favours using their choice of colour and message and they have been happy with the outcome.  A great way to support a charity and it’s something that most people will use – even the men!If you are interested in these please follow the link on the website.