In Their Words

“To Tim,

My name is Ricco and Im 9 years old. I just want too thank you for my lego cars. I really like it but I haven’t started making it yet because Im just waiting for my dad too help me when he gets time because he works long hours.

I also want too thank you for my little sisters barbie bikes. Everyday when they get home from the hospital, they get on their bikes and ride it around.

Thank you”

“Dear Tim & Ana,

This is just a very quick but ENORMOUS thankyou before I write to you more formally to thank you so very much for planning and bringing to fruition a dream for Jonathon. Jonathon also wants to thank TLC. He told his mum he has had the best birthday ever!!!!!!! …and apparently Claudia has gone to school with a grin from ear to ear walking on cloud 9.

Jonathan has been understandably very down at times dealing with this particularly difficult recent surgery. He has been an absolute ‘trooper’ along the course of his battle with cancer but this year has been incredibly difficult. He was absolutely dreading his birthday because life has been so tough. It has helped his parents in keeping supporting him knowing TLC were going to help out at a time they were all struggling but neither I nor the family expected the incredible array of presents TLC provided!

Dina, Jonathan’s mum, has taken some photos of Jonathan getting the presents which once developed she would like me to pass onto you to show you how much they were appreciated. Dinalet Jonathan get out of bed to have a go of one of the sets they have set up. Jonathan’s brother can’t wait to get home from school to play cars with his brother. It gave Dina and Lou tremendous pleasure to watch their children’s excited faces.

So MANY, MANY THANKS.
Cheers, ”

“Dear Tim,

Thank you for my Ben 10 bike. I love the drink bottle on the bike. ”

“Dearest Tim,

I am supposed to be studying but all I can think about is my day at the hospital. Instead, I decided to write to Ana and yourself. As you can imagine many people have helped me with my illness. Most of them I have considered to be stars however, there are some that are shooting stars in my life. You are one of them…. No words could thank you enough for all the smiles and laughs you have given me. My time with you has had a great impact on my health. It’s true what they say, ‘Laughter is the best medicine!’ I understand laughing and smiling must be the last thing you want to do but its helped me hugely and I wouldn’t be where I am today with out it. Thank you for your on going support, laughter, encouragement…. I look forward to many more fun times with Ana, yourself and the shooting stars in my life.

Talk to you soon, ”

“Hi Irene,

How are you?

I just thought I would write a quick email to keep in touch. I would like to thank you for making Jessica jump into the pool with Matt [Welsh] the day Ali swam with him. As I think I explained to you that day, Jess was a very good distance swimmer and had competed several times. Maybe not Olympic potential! But she was very good.

After a falling out with her coach early last year, she gave swimming up and didn’t want to get in the water again.

Well after swimming with Matt, she has now started training again. Not as full on as she used to, however over the last few weeks she has competed for her school and achieved the following: broke the college record for the second year in a row in the 44m freestyle. That swim she took 2 seconds off her personal best. On Tuesday, she swam for the school in the district sports and came 3rd and took another 2 seconds off her PB. She now goes on to swim at Zone level.

I thought you would like to know as I believe that swim spurred her on to get back into the water. She won’t compete apart from at school, but just for her to start up again has been fantastic. Thank you.

Ali is well, she swam well and has made it to Zone as well in backstroke and freestyle, must have been the tips Matt gave her! We have a big day at outpatients today, we see all her doctors and it takes most of the day. I think they will be very happy with her Irene, she has gained weight and feels well, she has her spark back. I think her swim and the morning with Peter Mitchell has helped a lot.

I believe it is the opportunities she has had with Ana and Tim that have boosted her self esteem. She really is a different person from last year when she had been in hospital for so long. I don’t think she could see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Well must go, hope to catch up soon.”