Invited to become part of the team, where I built social media platforms from scratch and wrote the initial mission statement.
Grew platforms and helped the project by researching subjects and posting news and articles for people to carry out self care, while promoting the project.
Organised behind the scenes on show nights, with fund raising and volunteers. Went on the final trip to London to deliver cheque and closed project out with helping promote documentary premiere.
The Saturday of August Bank Holiday 2018 was a day that changed my life, personally and professionally, and things will never be the same again. Going out for “a cheeky couple” in Stafford, after an afternoon watching Stafford Rangers, took an interesting turn.
After “a cheeky couple” at one end of town, friend Dave Johnson and I took a stroll down the high street and found ourselves drawn into Slater’s bar. A quiet night with only a few customers in, we found ourselves drinking more and got into deep conversation with bar manager, Rich “Tonka” Tomkinson. The rest, as they say, is history!! A persuasive character, as our pints turned to a gin and then another, Rich posed the question – “I’ve got this project and you guys seem decent sorts and up for a challenge. What would you think of coming on board with a Full Monty show?” To be honest, I froze and then, for some reason uttered the words “OK then!” DOH!!!
The next morning was an experience. Waking up and finding ourselves in various message groups with people we did not know and talking about future rehearsals and bearing all! Total life changer!! The week wore on and I spoke to Dave, who had also got in touch on the Sunday and said, “what have we done?” I dithered, thought about it, and considered my options! Honest as the day is long, I didn’t want to mess anybody around and thought “Me? Getting my kit off in front of 1,000 people? Nahhh, mate! Not happening!”
Learning that this was all under the banner of Kiss My Ass Cancer and raising funds for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, I just could not walk away! My thoughts turned to what I could do if I did not take the stage and suddenly, I was putting myself forward to help promote and inform people, via social media! Rich understood and we got on with it.
A Facebook page built, private groups created so we could communicate on a different level and share media and we all started communicating. I turned up at every rehearsal, filming video clips to help the cast with their practising and posting updates about our progress to try and attract sponsors and inform people about cancer checks, education about what we can do to pick up early warning signs and a lot of advice on chasing your doctor for tests and checks if you are worried. Momentum built, as did our following and working alongside the great Ian Beddow of IB Media, with his filming and production skills, was also an experience as some of that knowledge has stayed with me as I moved forward.
The whole project was “an experience in life”. Dozens of new friendships, loads more health education, the satisfaction that you have contributed to helping hundreds, if not thousands, of people directly and that is before we consider that our live shows sold out at Stafford Gatehouse, the project raised over £1k for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, while we also gave Stafford’s Terrible Titties & Other Bitties a huge boost by helping them boost their following and making a donation to their cause. The pride in helping local people and beyond was immense and the skills and knowledge gained were immeasurable!
While I did not take part in the show, being called onto stage in recognition of the backstage efforts brought an ovation from some, almost like they had known who I was and what I had done.
“I played a part in success” and that is my aim in anything! You contribute, you lighten the load, and you make things work. Along the way, you say hello, goodbye, please and thank you and you tick a lot of boxes!!