Forum Topic

Teenage Cancer Trust Charity Ball Ideas?

Dear All,Through some of my postings over the last couple of days, you might know that my 17 year old son died last August after a 7 month battle with a very, very rare form of cancer, Ewings Sarcoma.  Ewings Sarcoma only effects teenagers and is so rare that on average only 30 cases are diagnosed in the U.K. a year.  James had Ewings on his spinal cord, which left him also totally paralyzed from the chest down.  James was on The Teenage Cancer Trust Unit in The Middlesex Hospital, Mortimer Street from last February - until he passed away on 25th August.I would really like to organize a Christmas Charity Ball to raise funds for The Teenage Cancer Trust.  I have never organized anything like this before so I would be very grateful for any suggestions, ideas, sponsorships etc.James has his own web site    www.jamesnaughton.co.ukwhere you will also see the link to The Teenage Cancer Trust website.Fran

Fran Naughton ● 7134d24 Comments

Hello Fran and InaThe magic of the Forum! We must keep the friendships going.Jim

Jim Lawes ● 6891d

Hi Fran, that was a funny thing that happened the other day. It was really nice meeting you and I hope we bump into each other again soon.Give Ann a big hug from me, she is such a lovely lady.Big hugsIna.xxx

Ina Chureetur ● 6891d

Dear Jim and Ina,Yes indeed, such a small world!  Within the space of a week meeting you both.  I would never have thought that Ina and I would have never meet at all, apart from being on this site.  I was`walking from Syon Park on Monday and a car stopped, my neighbour Ann in York Road had just been to lunch at Ina's.  Ina stopped her car, and gave me a lift home.  The next day, believe it or not.... I meet Jim in York Road.............!!!!!  Jim's friend,Audrey, lived in my house until 1960.  Fran.  Love to you all.

Fran Naughton ● 6891d

Hi Jim, I bumped into Fran as well the other day. It was really nice to meet her. The pictures you have placed up are lovely and sad too. It's kind of strange I have a son called James, one of his nick names is jim and jimbo too.It's surprising that Audrey lived in the same house, "what a small world it is".

Ina Chureetur ● 6891d

www.jamesnaughton.co.ukYou will recall how we were reading this thread last year about the sad passing of Fran's son from cancer. He was only still in his teens. His family and his network of friends must have been shattered by this event..and are still coming to terms with the loss of young James.Quite by chance I met Fran today in York Road..one of our favourite streets..it's where Audrey Walton (USA) once lived...and I was most touched by the occasion. I was allowed to take some pictures in the hallway where a wall mounted gallery in memory of James has been created.ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooJames had etched his name in the brickwork...and this too adds to the sad tale.ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooAnd the biggest surprise of all..is that it the same house that Audrey lived in many years ago..before dear Fran. We wish Fran every comfort..and maybe we can help organise something.

Jim Lawes ● 6892d

Glad to see you are back Fran, i was quite concerned that you hadn't replied and hoped you were ok. i think a valentine's ball is a fantastic idea! just let me know if there is anyway i can help.A raffle might be a good idea as well, matt and i did quite well at it on the halloween fancy dress party  and raised a good amount of money.  take care love    Ina.xxxx

Ina Chureetur ● 7129d

You people in Brentford are amazing. Last week I was saying I was glad I didnt live there and this week I am feeling envious because I dont

Jean Gilmore ● 7129d

Cheers Simon!Thanks once again for your support and your kind words about James.  You are right, James was one amazing lad.  I hope Shivon's infection clears up soon.Yes, I am definetly on for your idea of a Brentford Pub Crawl as well.Fran

Fran Naughton ● 7129d

Hi FranShivon has a infection and is taking antibiotics but is home again.Your fundraising event sounds Great and if you need my help I will only be happy to.But I still would like to do something beside this for your son as after I read the website I thought what a massing boy he was.In the new year I have lots of Ideas one of them that seems popular with people is a pub crawl.But I will talk to you about all this in the new year..SimonPS I collect autographs I might be able to get some signed stuff for the Auction.

Simon Anderson ● 7129d

Dear All,Firstly sorry I have not been around since last week, hence the reason I have not been on here to thank you for your for kind replies.Simon, hope Shivon has managed to fight off her infection in her hickman line and Debbie, I hope your little girl is OK now.I would like to thank those who have offered their support and would like to get involved in raising funds for The James Naughton Memorial Fund/Teenage Cancer Trust.I think it was rather to adventurous to have everything organised this side of Christmas for a Fund Raising night so I am aiming to have everything set up for Saturday, 11th February.  This can then have a Valentines Day theme, and also it would have been James' 19th Birthday on Sunday, 12th February.I am aiming on going 'big scale' so I will be approaching local hotels.  I work in the live events industry so the company I work for (our web site www.windmillstudios.net) will be able to supply  large screens, projection, lights and sound.  I have got from The Teenage Cancer Trust their fundraising pack.  This includes a DVD about Children with cancer which will be projected onto the screen.  Frank Lampard (Chelsea football player) and Roger Daltry are both patrons of the TCT so I am approching them for signed Chelsea goods/The Who signed goods. Also the Chairman of TCT if available, will come to make a speech/do the auction.I already have been donated items to auction which is very exciting (including the original storyboard from a scene from the James Bond Movie ' Golden Eye')So please put in your diaries now Saturday, 11th February 2006 and watch this space!Fran

Fran Naughton ● 7129d

FranPerhaps the Brentford and Chiswick Chamber of Commerce could be involved as well...at a semi-glit evening..at say the Holiday Inn.  There can't have been many great Brentford Events in recent years to which everyone could be invited..and with a raffle and Auction too.Wow!! a Brentford Civic event..to follow on from Debbie's Bash..could see Brentford being well stirred up.  There must be many new and old residents who would attend an event to celebrate Brentford..and raise money at the same time. get the Brentford Ball rolling soon..it could take many forms..even a rock and roll, or a jazz night! Best wishes to Simon, Debbie, Ina and families.

Jim Lawes ● 7133d

InaAny Excuse!! ha ha seriously are you ok though?  ows Deb and The Little one?My friend had some bad news this morning her "Hen" Night has been Banned by the Loal Authoriies....Simon

Simon Anderson ● 7133d

Hi Fran, Don't worry about decorating Debbie and i will help you with that. We are qualified Florists and Debbie is a Balloon Artist.She is also brilliant at turning even the most horrible of places into a palace fit for a ball. I hope i will have a little time to view James' web site today.ps simon I was hit by a male driver.hope you are all oklove Ina.xxxxx

Ina Chureetur ● 7133d

FranI loved the website James looked like a great Kid I wish I had met him I really do.I want to do some fundraising next year for James Foundation so if anyone has any suggestions what I can do then please post on here.I will get the Address posted on our website Link Page so people can read about James and what a brave Chap he was.Fran If you need any help with organizing a party to raise Money please call me on 07981 051411 I will help in anyway.Love to you and Your familySimon

Simon Anderson ● 7133d

I dont Know women drivers...lolGood to hear the little one is getting better a bit I have my fingers Crossed!!

Simon Anderson ● 7133d

www.jamesnaughton.co.ukFran:I hope all of our Forum visitors will take the opportunity to explore James's website....with all its messages and pictures.  It is most impressive.You have provided all his acquaintances, friends and family,including all his team mates at the Rugby Club, a splendid memorial site which they can regularly and easily visit...all within reach of their keyboards. You mention a Charity Ball..and wondered whether James's Rugby Club Clubhouse would be suitable?  Syon House,Brentford has splendid facilities...whilst the Twickenham Rugby Ground might be a good venue too.For something less grand and different...you could take over a large restaurant for the evening..one where the tables can be pushed to oneside revealing a floor surface suitable for dancing. I attended many such functions at the Osterley Cottage restaurant..where 80+ people danced the night away. It was called a ding-dong..with fine Chinese food, Morris dancers dressed up as Father Christmas's, and music to make everyone hit the dancefloor!The success of the recent event at the Fire Station could esaily be repeated.How about a New Years Day event? Kew Steam Museum hosts events, How about Ealing Town Hall? Even Chiswick Town Hall could be kitted out to look good.Then there's the recently opened Holiday Inn at Brentford Bridge which boasts a large banqueting facility. Now that could be a starter!!

Jim Lawes ● 7134d

wow we have had a strange day,on the way to the hospital, i had a car crash, not my fault,a car hit me from behind, so instead of taking over from debbie we were in A&e.my car is a bit damaged ,theirs even more but the good news is that Tyzja is a bit better which is most important. thank you for asking about her. I passed on your well wishes to debs.love Ina.xxxx

Ina Chureetur ● 7134d

poor little thing..my thoughts are with debbie and the little one......if there is anything debbie needs please let me no..

Simon Anderson ● 7134d

Thanks simon, i will pass on your message. i will be going to the hospital in a little while.Tyzja has the oxygen mask at the moment but she is still rough.hope you are ok.loveIna.xxxx

Ina Chureetur ● 7134d

Hi InaGive my Love to Debbie and tell her I am thinking of Her and her little Girl and please keep me informed how the lttle one is doing.ThanksSimon

Simon Anderson ● 7134d

Hi Fran, sorry about your son.i am Debbie's friend Ina. Debbie is in hospital at the moment with her baby Tyzja.Debbie and i did the Halloween party. If you need any help just contact Debbie or me. I am sure that we may be able to find a suitable location free of charge. what we did was print out tickets with a special stamp on it and charge £5 per ticket.if you need to know anything more then just contact us.the venue that we used was the old fire station in brentford but we found it a bit small for all the people that turned up, i should really say that so many turned up that the place wasn't big enough.love Ina.xxxx

Ina Chureetur ● 7134d

PSWhen you have a date and Venue advertise t on all the forums, I will put it on ours and Ask Cllr Andrews to put it on his also.I will help put posters up for you also.Simon

Simon Anderson ● 7134d

FranIf I can help in anyway let me know.Ask Debbie about the Venue where she Held the Fancy dress party maybe you can get it.The Contact Estelle marais of The Times newspaper she will help by advertising it in the aper if you ask her also Magda Ibrihaim of The Chronicle.You will have to be quick doing this though as time is nearly upon us or maybe another Idea is a New Years party!!!Anyway Keep me informed and if you need my Help I can be reached on 07981 051411..Simon

Simon Anderson ● 7134d

Hi Fran,Really sorry to hear about your son.  It is probably quite late on to be considering a ball for this year but never say never as they say. I would think firstly of a venue  where you can hold it, I can recommend a place in Chiswick but am not sure of availability and because of the nature of the ball they may waive the hire fee.  You will then need to advertise, forums, local papers, schools, leaflets, hospitals etc.  Tickets will need to be made up and you would probably sell on a price per table basis and offer individual prices too, decide on your menus etc., and what type of chairty auctions you will hold on the actual evening.  Approach local company's for donations for auction prizes, ie: a local restaurant for a meal for two, Gillette for some products etc., etc., You may want to ask Debbie Dewar, I heard that her recent Halloween do was a success.  Let me know if you would like me to enquire to the venue in Chiswick.  Best of luck

Emma Rowlatt ● 7134d