Sunday, July 25, 2010

Challenge - What a charity, What an exciting weekend...

Challenge.
What an amazing charity.... What wonderful people.....




Owen, caught in a Pie sandwich....!


Most of us would have heard of Challenge in some way. They support Children with Cancer and their families with all sorts of things. Challenge has helped our journey by giving Owen and us wonderful and exciting activities and memories. I have mentioned some of the activities in this blog. I cannot even tell you what difference they have made to our lives.
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Mika. On the Oncology ward, we are harassed by the mighty "Mika" who brings us good things, large and small. Ice creams, organises in-hospital pampering for tired mums, gourmet dinners once a month for parents on the ward, and gifts from supporters. Then he gets children into activities, camps and special outings (constantly convincing Mums that their children will be fine). And the rest of the family are not forgotten. On top of that, he is in constant playful disagreement with Owen on everything. He brings smiles into our life.
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"The Great Aussie Pie Night"
Collingwood are a sponsor of Challenge, especially The Great Aussie Pie Night....Owen was asked along to to the Collingwood Training Centre to have photos taken to promote this fundraising event. He had photos taken with 3 marvellous blokes. All greats from the 3 Football codes. You can tell by the smiles that he loved it. This was to promote The Great Aussie Pie Night and was kicked off at the Collingwood St Kilda game on Saturday, where Owen was given the honour of team Mascot.

Storm's Cooper Cronk, Collingwood's Alan Didak and Heart's Matt Thompson at the Herald Sun Photo shoot...(Owen changed some lightbulbs while he was up there)



Owen's favourite shot. On the MCG before the game, with a light tower growing out of his head......


Who is the little guy with No. 5 on his back running up to the banner. Isn't it the Captain, Nick Maxwell?... What has happened to him?... He's shrunk!!!


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Owen is in there somewhere.......!
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Running through the Banner as the Collingwood team mascot.
We were invited by Collingwood to the rooms before and after the game. Owen got changed and we walked up the players race and sucked in all the excitement in the air. Owen then waited as the only mascot for the day. We were concerned about Owen and who was going to look after him as the players came through. Brian, the Collingwood organiser told us that everything would be fine and the players would sort it out. The noise from the 80,000+ crowd increased, as the Magpies came up the race. Owen's hand was grabbed by the leading Magpie (Leon Davis) and he was off, running excitedly out to the banner. Lots of players asked Owen if he was enjoying himself. He stood in their huddle as Dale Thomas shouted instructions then Ben Johnson stood behind him with his hands on his shoulders, and they all burst through the banner together. We just loved watching Owen run faster than he had ever before, keeping up with the Magpies and before we knew it, he was walking back to us with the biggest smile and a souvenir piece of banner in his hands. He was a very happy boy. A precious memory.
The game was a great one and then they went down to the rooms afterwards. Owen caught up with Alan Didak and Ben Johnson who both genuinely chatted to him and Joel.
What a thrilling experience for the boys (Yep... and Lee as well....!)
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Shooting the breeze with Alan Didak after the game..
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Thank you Collingwood.
Thank you Challenge.............

1 comment:

Lauren Fowler said...

Hey owen!
The photos at the footy are so cool, I'm jealous! Do you think they'll make it to the grand final? Grace and I think it could be Collingwood vs Hawthorn grand final! I hope so!
Lots of love, Lauren xox