Cycle Ride for Life and The Tracy Crawford Foundation

Thanks So Very Much

The McKenzie and Crawford families wish to thank with all our heart the Castles and Coast 2008 riders and all sponsors as again it has been possible to raise a huge amount of cash.  The exact amount will be finalised son and we can then add all sponsors to the roll of honour. 

A Charity is Registered

Over trhe last month or so we have been engaged in the set up of The Tracy Crawford Foundation as a registered charity. Following the necessary bureaucracy and extensive form filing in we were approved on the 9th December 2008 as charity no 1127108.

This huge move will enable us to gain gift aid and benefit from the tax donors wil pay.  This is for individuals and companies.

The TotalCare Connect Bed - Huge Bonus for Sunderland Royal Hospital ICCU From 2008 Bike Ride

Following a meeting on the 26th November between Peter,Margaret and David McNicholas to determine exactly the specification David needed it was immediately recognised that it was possible to provide not just one but two beds. CLICK THIS LINK TO SEE THE BED AND ITS AMAZING BENEFITS.

Peter McKenzie Tells a Tragic Story

Dear Friends - Life is a Fragile Thing

As I write this introduction one phrase comes into my head - life is a very fragile thing. It is a precious gift but with the pace of life today it is only when tragedy strikes our loved ones do we recognise how true this statement is. This year is more poignant than ever as we seek to honour the memory of my daughter Tracy Crawford who died of Leukaemia at just 41 with a young family and all the world to live for.

The reason is that in June this year I was diagnosed with inoperable oesophagus cancer and given less than 12 months to live. But we will come to this later. The support for Tracy we have received from friends, families, and extraordinarily generous sponsors has enabled us to honour her name with the purchase of vital equipment for Ward EH55 at Sunderland Royal.

The love for Tracy and the huge will to fight cancer poured out in the Coast to Coast bike rides of 2006, 2007. These rides combined with other events raised a staggering £57,000. I think back with immense pride to the fight that Tracy gave, she never flagged drawing on her faith to give a state of mind that was at times awesome. We both shared the strength of our faith as we would hold hands and prey, certain she would win through. I think also of precious memories of this time and of the dedication given by the medical staff to give us the miracle of having Tracy home for Christmas. From that date Tracy began to recover and we enjoyed special family holidays.

We began to believe that life was returning to normal as each month passed and Tracy’s strength increased. She even returned to her post at TWP Packaging. Who will forget the happiness of her 41st birthday? She was again the beautiful, lively daughter, wife and mum, in the midst of a loving family. But a cure or long term remission was not to be as the day after this wonderful birthday party the cancer returned - aggressively. Before Tracy could accept the gift of a bone marrow transplant from Peter her brother she was taken from us.

I did say that life is a fragile thing and we must cherish every moment. There are many challenges but with faith and love we can surmount all. I too must now meet a challenge head on and draw on the strength of Tracy, plus my own unshakeable faith in God, together with the immense love of family and friends. The cancer has travelled to my kidneys and lungs but Professor Griffin and I will meet this challenge together. Life is very fragile and it is only with your help that others fighting cancer can meet this intense challenge.

I sincerely hope that you can support the Cycle Ride for Life in memory of a dear daughter, wife and mum whose legacy now is the raising of crucial funds to help others.

With kind wishes Peter McKenzie