December Update
We would like to thank you all for a fantastic years fundraising! The total raised for the Samantha Thompson Fund now stands at an amazing £10,751.00!!
Early next year we will be holding another Quiz at Folkestone Railway Club, and Magpies Football Club are hoping to conquer the Three Peaks challenge! We will let you know more about these and other events in the new year.
On a personal note we would like to congratulate Sam's brother Nick and his beautiful wife Helen - their first baby is due in May! Sam would have made such a wonderful Auntie.
We would like to wish you all a Very Happy Christmas and peaceful New Year.
For Sam :
This year we're going back to Disney
To restore our roots again.
Without you standing by us
It won't be quite the same.
We're going to find the magic
That once filled all our lives,
Rekindle that fire and passion
That used to burn inside.
You'd understand our reasons,
Nick and Helen's secret joy,
You'd have been such a special Auntie
To their little girl or boy.
I can imagine your excitement,
Your laughing eyes and beaming smile,
I feel your love within my heart -
Find comfort for a while.
And 'bump' will know that special Auntie
That cruel fate stole away,
Know your hopes and love your dreams
That made it Christmas every day.
You'll always be our little girl,
I'll always miss your hand in mine,
I imagine nestling in your arms
And hugging like old times.
So, sweet dreams my precious Angel,
Happy Christmas Sammy Jane,
I'll let your love engulf my heart
Until we meet again.
Love and miss you always
xxxMum & Dadxxx
October Update
Our beautiful daughter would have been 30 years old on 22nd October. God bless you Sam.We will always love you. xx
Kam Bola managed to complete 'The Royal Parks Half Marathon' in one hour and fifty eight seconds and raised over £700! What a tremendous achievement! This means that The Samantha Thompson Fund has now reached, and passed, £10,000.00!! Well done everyone!
Sam's friend Kam Bola is running in 'The Royal Parks Half Marathon' in London on 9th October to raise money for The Samantha Thompson Fund. Good Luck Kam, Sam would be so proud!
September Update
The Samantha Thompson Fund now stands at £9,714.91! Well done everyone for your magnificent fund raising efforts. We are hoping to reach £10,000.00 by the end of the year! This money will be going towards stem cell research into MLL and other acute leukaemias. We cannot thank you all enough.
We would like to thank Greg Kennedy for his stirling efforts around Fowlmead Cycle Circuit. He managed to raise another £155 for Sam's Fund! Well done Greg!
The second annual Samantha Thompson Golf Memorial was again held at Etchinghill Golf Club on Thursday 15th September. Although not quite so well attended as last year we would like to thank sincerely all those who did turn out on the day. The weather smiled on us and it was a beautiful sunny morning. We were joined this year by Professor Lister from St. Barts who kindly agreed to say a few words after dinner and to present the trophies. We managed to raise another £290 for Sam's Fund.
Brian Smissen won both the putting competition and the Samantha Thompson Challenge Cup with a stableford points score of 38. Andy Enston was second with a score of 37 and Peter Maddox third with 36. Congratulations and well done to you all. The Longest Drive was won by Dave Dennis, and the two Nearest the Pin's were won by Mick Brazier and David Thompson.
We would once again like to say a special thank you to Dawn Maddox for her help on the day.
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| The pictures show Professor Lister with Brian Smissen (top left), all of our golfers (above), and Professor Lister with Andy Enston and Pete Maddox (left). |
August Update
It has now been two years since we have lost our beautiful daughter. We will always miss her.
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Sam's memorial at Hawkinge was awash with floral tributes on August 13th. It looked so beautiful! |
We would like to thank Sam's friend Claire Brown (nee Bingham) for her fundraising efforts including those at her wedding!
Sam's cousin Greg Kennedy will be doing a sponsored bike ride on Sunday 21st August in aid of The Samantha Thompson Fund. He will be cycling 50 miles around the Fowlmead Cycle Circuit near Deal in Kent. Good Luck Greg!
June Update We would like to congratulate the Rosemary Conley Club on the success of their 'Black and White Dinner Dance' held at Folkestone's East Cliff Pavillion. They raised nearly £3000 for leukaemia charities, £1500 of which will be going to The Samantha Thompson Fund. We would like to thank the organisers and all those who attended for their generosity and support. Special thanks go to Caroline Ward and to Sam's auntie Liz Thompson. |  |
At 11.15am on Sunday 29th May twelve Magpies, including Nick Sam’s brother and Adam Sam’s cousin who organised the event, together with Sam’s partner, Stuart, completed a gruelling half marathon outside the Pilgrims Hospice at Ashford. Some found it easier than others but they all finished together as a team. Sam would have been so proud of them all.
After taking time to freshen up, they all met together again at Folkestone Railway Club where they were joined by friends and family. A fantastic time was had by all.
We would like to thank Adam for organising the event, Carol and Naomi for doing a magnificent job in the kitchen providing hot dogs and hamburgers for all, The Railway Club and the band Soul Intention for keeping the party going, the KM Group and Kevin Daly for their coverage of the event and everyone who pledged money, and last, but not least, all the runners. They enjoyed themselves so much that they are now thinking of taking on the Three Peaks Challenge together!
The money raised at The Railway Club, together with that pledged to the runners, should total in the region of £1200 – enough to singularly pay for Sam’s Memorial Bench. We really cannot thank everyone enough! All excess monies raised will be payed into Sam’s Fund for Leukaemia Research.
 | Pictured here outside the Folkestone Railway Club are the Magpies runners. From left to right across and bottom Phil(Sam's Dad), Steve Elkins, Dan Dray(Sam's cousin), Shane Spearpoint, Charlie Gardiner, Ian Rowley, Adam Todd(Sam's cousin). Second row Reece Abel, Jack Davis, Luke Jones, Travis Thrale, Stuart Inskip(Sam's partner), and Nick Thompson(Sam's brother). Also running was Lee Jones.
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Finally, I would like to remind you that we will be holding the second Samantha Thompson Golf Memorial on Thursday 15th September at Etchinghill Golf Club near Folkestone. 7.30 am start.
18 Holes stableford ,coffee & bacon roll on arrival, 2 course meal, £50 per head. Plus putting & chipping competitions & raffle.
Please contact Phil Thompson on 01303 257790/07790175780 or email philithomps@yahoo.co.uk for further details.
May Update
Sadly Mark and Anna Blackman have had to postpone their 'pianothon' in May, but they are hoping to hold it later in the summer. I will advise you of the new date a.s.a.p.
Our Quiz at Folkestone Railway Club on Thursday 12th May raised another £156 in aid of Sams Memorial Bench. I would like to thank all those who supported this event and made it such an enjoyable evening. Once again I would like to say a special thank you to Mark and Simon at the Railway Club, and to all those who donated raffle prizes. Congratulations to the winning team 'Nanny Doris' pictured below, led by Pete and Dawn Maddox.
On Sunday 29th May the lads from Magpies FC, who recently won the SML Memorial Cup, will be doing a sponsored half marathon between Folkestone and Ashford, also to raise money for Sam's Memorial Bench. They will be joined by Sam's partner Stuart. Good Luck to you all!
There will also be a live band and BBQ afterwards at Folkestone Railway Club. Everyone welcome from 2pm onwards.
Finally, Sam's Memorial Bench was put in place last Wednesday 11th May! It looks wonderful! Next time you are in London you should take the Tube to St Pauls and pop across to the gardens opposite to see it - even sit there and take the weight off your feet for a while.
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April Update
'The Face of Courage' has now arrived and the remaining copies will be on sale at the Quiz on May 12th. I would like to thank all those who have supported Sam's Memorial Bench by already purchasing a copy.
Mark and Anna Blackman will be holding their second annual Pianothon in aid of The Samantha Thompson Fund on Saturday 28th May at their home in Seabrook.
March Update
We will be holding the second Samantha Thompson Golf Memorial on Thursday 15th September at Etchinghill Golf Club near Folkestone. This will be an all day event and we will publish details on this website as soon as they are finalised. Please put this date in your diaries!
We are holding a Quiz at Folkestone Railway Club on Thursday 12th May to raise money for Sam's Memorial bench. The pictures below are of Christchurch Greyfriars Gardens, currently being replanted and refurbished, where Sam's bench will be placed in May this year
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February Update
In Folkestone the 'The Rosemary Conley Club' are organising a 'black and white' Ball in aid of leukaemia. The profits will be shared between local leukaemia charities including 'The Samantha Thompson Fund'.The Ball will be held at the East Cliff Pavilion, Wear Bay Road, Folkestone on Saturday June 18th. Tickets will cost £35.00 each inclusive of your meal. For further details please contact Caroline Ward on 01303 211755.
My poem book 'The Face of Courage', telling of our emotional struggles throughout Sam's illness, is finally on the way! The final proof has been checked and we are expecting delivery during the next few weeks! All profits from the books will be going towards Sams memorial bench which is now being prepared! The cost of the book will be £6.99 plus £1.99 p&p. If you are interested in pre ordering a copy of 'The Face of Courage' please send a cheque or postal order made payable to 'Kim Thompson' for £8.98, plus your own name and address to the following address
The Face of Courage, 20 Joyes Road, Folkestone, Kent, CT19 6NX
The books will be posted out as soon as they arrive.
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January Update
It has been a bit of a slow start to 2011, but having finally chased away all of our flu bugs we're ready to start making plans for this years fundraising.
It has long been a dream of Phil's and mine to have a permanent memorial to our beautiful daughter in London where she fought her bravest battle and touched so many lives. After consultation with the City of London Council Phil has managed to reach agreement on having an oak bench placed in 'Christchurch Greyfriars Gardens' bearing a plaque in Sam's name.
'Christchurch Greyfriars Gardens' is opposite St Pauls underground station (heading towards St. Barts Hospital). It is steeped in history. It was originally built as the church of a Franciscan monastery. This gothic church was destroyed by The Great Fire of London in 1666 and a new church, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, was completed in 1687. This church was destroyed during the Blitz of the the second world war after which it wasn't rebuilt. A public gardens was laid out in the nave area of the listed ruins in 1989.
It was in these beautiful rose gardens that Sam would meet us during the times she was well enough to stay at home and travel into London for her daily treatments. Either Phil or I, sometimes the both of us, would arrive at St Pauls underground station and cross the road to see Sam sitting waiting for us, always in her little green hat and long, blonde 'Dolly' wig. That smile and wave as she greeted us was priceless, worth more than all the money in the world, and the memory of those giant, 'hairbear' hugs that followed still makes me tingle and sets my heart aglow.
We need to raise in the region of £1200 for Sammy's bench and plans are underway.The first £60 has already been raised by kind donations. A poem book, written by myself during Sams illness telling of our emotional struggles at the time will (hopefully) soon be on sale at a price of £6.99, all profits to go to the bench fund. Watch this space for details!
Other fundraising events are in the planning stages and we will let you know about these a.s.a.p
December Update
We would like to thank everyone for making this, our first year, so successful and raising nearly £7,000 ! Thank you once again!
It just remains now for us to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and we look forward to seeing you all again in 2011!
Christmas Memories
I remember those Christmas shopping trips
And how much fun we had?
We'd search each store and still want more,
Dragging all our bags!
We'd tango with the teddies
In Lakeside's 'Build-a-Bear',
We'd try each toy and jump for joy
In Disney stores everywhere!
We'd try on hats, and gloves, and tops,
And wouldn't miss a shop
As our poor feet hit Oxford Street
And you never let me stop!
We'd start early in the morning
But we'd never seem to flag
'Till that last store kicked us out the door
With empty pockets and bulging bags!
I'll never forget those magical moments,
How we loved to be together,
Laughing. hugging, chatting, cuddling -
We thought it would last forever
Sammy's Christmas Quiz was held at Folkestone Railway Club on Thursday 9th December and we would like to thank everyone who helped to make it such an enjoyable evening raising a further £250 for Sams fund. We would especially like to thank Mark and Simon from the Railway Club and all those who donated raffle prizes. The winning team, Team 'Shh...it!' was led by Dave Shrewsbury
October Update
October 22nd would have been Sams 29th Birthday! We miss her so much.
'Sammy's Christmas Quiz' will take place at Folkestone Railway Club on Thursday 9th December, 7.00pm for 7.30pm start! Come along and enjoy an evening of family fun!
September Update
The first Samantha Thompson Golf Memorial tournament took place at Etchinghill Golf Club on Thursday 2nd September. The weather was warm and sunny and the event was well supported with twenty four golfers taking up the challenge. Despite the difficulty of the greens and the steep contours of the course everyone enjoyed themselves and put in some very respectable scores!
An excellent dinner preceded the presentation to the winners.
First prize and The Samantha Thompson Challenge Cup went to Robert Winstanley with a net score of 67! Colin Carter took second place with a net score of 69 and third place went to Dave Green with a net score of 70.
The Longest Drive was won by John Smith, and nearest the pins went to Simon Thompson, Ian Blaskett, Robert Winstanley and Brian Smisson.
We would like to thank all those who took part for making it such a successful day and raising £420. We would also like to thank Dawn Maddox for her help on the day and look forward to welcoming everyone back next year!
We would like to thank everyone concerned with this summers fundraising activities and now look forward to 'Sammy's Christmas Quiz' in early December.
August Update
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On a happy note Sams brother Nick married Helen his beautiful bride at St Mary and St Eanswythes Church, Folkestone, and Sams partner Stuart did a magnificent job as Nicks Best man. The reception at The Grand Hotel was wonderful - a very good time was had by all, although there were some sombre moments, especially when everyone stood and raised their glasses to Sam - she would have been Nick and Helens bridesmaid! She would have been so jealous when they later jetted off for an unforgettable honeymoon in the Maldives.
As you all know our beautiful daughter has now been gone for one whole long year. Our hearts will always ache and we will always yearn to see her face and feel her hairbear hugs.
Sadly the Donkey Derby at Radnor Park Folkestone was a washout! A mornings heavy rain followed an overnight deluge, and although some donkey races did take place between afternoon showers the usual crowds just didn't materialise!
However, the first Samantha Thompson Golf Memorial Tournament will go ahead at Etchinghill Golf Club on Thursday 2nd September - lets keep our fingers crossed for the weather!
July Update
'The Samantha Thompson Fund for Leukaemia Research at Barts and The London Charity' will be represented at this years Lions Club Donkey Derby day at Radnor Park, Folkestone on Saturday 14th August. Please come along and support us, the more the merrier!
We will also be holding a 'Samantha Thompson Memorial Golf Tournament' at Etching Hill Golf Club on Thursday 2nd September. Entry fee £50 per person to include coffee and a bacon roll on arrival, followed by 18 holes of golf and a two course dinner with presentation of the trophies. Please contact Phil Thompson on 07790175780 for further information.
Dave Pay of the Folkestone Railway Club presented Phil Thompson with a cheque for £200 for 'The Samantha Thompson Fund'. This money was raised from an all day darts tournament held in honour of the late Nicky Gurr. We would like to thank all those involved for their efforts.
Pianothon, 29th May 2010
Students of piano teacher Mark Blackman performed pieces for four hours and each individual raised money through sponsorship and donations.
Mark said that he was very proud of all his students and that he would like to make it an annual event.
Tea and coffee flowed freely as each student went enthusiastically about their task.
The total amount raised was £400
We would like to thank Mark and his wife Anna for all their efforts.
Charity Football match, 9th May 2010
The Charity Football Match held at Folkestone Invictas Ground was an outstanding success, raising £640 for The Samantha Thompson Fund!
In a close fought game the Magpies Past and Present lost 7 - 5 to a youthful Hythe and Folkestone Sunday Morning League select Team. We would like to thank all those who took part (especially the walking wounded!) the referee, and everyone who donated raffle prizes including the Nail Place and Landau Sports.
Marathon Update, April 2010
I could see he was tired as he pounded by
A trickle of sweat, or a tear, rolled past his eye.
Her picture, so happy with him, was pinned to his back,
Giving him strength, as he covered the track.
So strong and so brave, he would never give in,
For her, his true love, that medal he’d win.
I’d swear I could see her jogging beside
The love of her life, she was filled with pride!
Along the Embankment , buoyed by the cheers
He passed out of sight, as the finish he neared.
He said he drew strength from the thought of her face,
To sprint down The Mall and finish his race!
Under four hours! How well did he do!
For the love of his Sam –he did it for you.
We would also like to congratulate David Molloy who raised over £500 for The Samantha Thompson Fund despite being unable to complete the daunting challenge of the Marathon des Sables. He was forced to pull out after 105 miles on the fourth day, but that in itself was an immense achievement. Well done David!Please don’t forget our Charity Football Match at Folkestones Ground on May 9th, 2.00pm kick off. Entry will be £2 per person, and the game will be followed by a charity raffle.
Finally, friends and family can share their thoughts and memories of Sam, even light a candle for her, on her page at www.gonetoosoon.org.
April's quiz success
Sammy’s Quiz, held at Folkestone Railway Club on Thursday 8th April, proved to be a huge success, raising £360 for The Samantha Thompson Fund for Leukaemia Research at Barts and The London Charity.
We would like to thank all the teams, and those who donated prizes, making it a memorable evening for all. The winning team, Team Aguillera, consisted of Dawn, Pete and Jimmy Maddox, Julie and Gary Bexen, and Lucy Wellens.
We would also like to
thank Pete Maddox who won the ‘Bingo balls’ for donating his prize of £30.Stuart, Sam’s partner,
would also like to thank the many people who sponsored him on the night for his
forthcoming run in The London Marathon on April 25th. We hope to welcome
everyone back again to our next event, a Charity Football Match between Magpies
Past and Present and a representative side from Hythe and Folkestone Sunday
Morning League, on May 9th at Folkestone’s Ground, kick-off 2pm. Don’t miss it!
This will be Folkestone’s answer to the Charity Shield! Our thanks go to the
Folkestone Lions Club for their kind donation, and also to Karen Upcraft who
donated her days’ wages from the Nail Place.
A good start to 2010
With the winter months now drawing to a close plans are starting to take shape! So many of you are now taking up the challenge to raise money for The Samantha Thompson Fund – she would be so proud of you all!
David Molloy (one of Sams good
friends from her Canadian adventure!) is taking part in the infamous Marathon
des Sables – a 151 mile, six day running race across the Sahara Desert, between
the 2nd and 12th of April this year.(see below for more
details) Whilst Stuart will be running in the Virgin London Marathon on 25th
April this year.
Good Luck and keep on running to both of you!
A special thank you goes to Malcolm McCutcheon for donating his fee for driving the Magpies minibus to their latest Kent Cup match. Cheers Malcolm!
We are holding a Quiz Night with a ‘Sammy twist’ at Folkestone Railway club on Thursday 8th April at 19:30 (£2 per person, teams up to a maximum of 6 members). Everyone welcome! To pre book your team please contact Phil on 07790175780.
Mark Blackman is organising a
‘Pianothon’ at his house in Seabrook on
29th May. So stretch those fingers and keep those ivories
tinkling!
There will also be a Charity
Football Match at Folkestone’s Ground in
Heading into the summer there are many more events underfoot – I will let you know about these when details are finalised. They include a Folkestone Golf Tournament and maybe an Essex one too, and I believe Nick (Sam's brother) and Stuart intend to take on the Three Peaks Challenge when Nick returns from his August honeymoon!
There! Didn’t I tell you it never
rains but it pours! Keep it up everyone!
Anyone else who is raising money for Sam please let us know – send us some details, pictures, etc. and we will put them on the website for you.
Thank you all once again for your efforts. They are very much appreciated.
Here are some details from David on the Marathon
des Sables – ‘Toughest Footrace on Earth’ (1st April – 12th April 2010):
Some people buy an Xbox 360, others go to Ibiza. For my mid-twenties crisis I decided to enter the Marathon Des Sables, a race that is widely regarded as the ‘Toughest Footrace on Earth’. So what is the Marathon Des Sables?
Well, in April each year over 800 competitors from around the globe congregate in the world’s largest desert, the Sahara, with the same solitary goal, to complete the gruelling 151 mile course through one of the most inhospitable terrains on the planet and they have just 6 days to do it. On top of this they must carry everything they will need for the journey including clothing, food, sleeping bag and survival kit. What a hoot!!!
The race starts from a location approximately 6 hours drive from the small town of Ouazarate, Morocco. Competitors are allowed 2 days to acclimatise to conditions in the desert before commencing the first of 6 stages.
The stages of the race are;
Stage 1. 17 miles Stage 2. 23 miles Stage 3. 26 miles Stage 4. 50 miles Stage 5. 26 miles Stage 6. 9 miles
Prior to entering the Marathon Des Sables I had never ran further that 13 miles, let alone 151, so I am under no illusions as to how hard this race will be. However, I have been training for the past year and am confident that I can finish.
And hopefully, through my participation in the Marathon des Sables I will be able to help raise awareness and money for the Samantha Thompson Fund.
Harriet Griffiths, Sam's good friend, who she met during her year in Canada together with her friend Lacey, taking part in the annual Light the Night walk raising money for leukemia and lymphoma in America.
Stuart with his friend Denny, who ran the Bristol half marathon last September raising money for Cancer Research.
Sam running the Race for Life in memory of her grandad in 2008 before leukemia struck.
