A Year On...

Yesterday was the Outlaw Celebration Party.. and the launch of a project I dreamt up and began organising back in April. It was top secret until the launch last night. The Karen Green Foundation Charity Calendar, ''ABSOLUTE-LY STARKERS''

Karen Green was the wife of Mick Green, who owns a specialist racing bike shop in Nottingham. She had lukaemia. After a long battle she died in July 2011. Mick set up the foundation in her name to provide help and support for people suffering the same condition, their families, and to fund research.

I have a lot of respect for Mick, I think what he did was a true show of his strength of charecter. He took an awful, heart breaking situation, and turned it into something positive that will help so many people. Along with that he continued to run his business and look after his two young children. He also trained and completed the Outlaw this year. All alongside dealing with his own grief. What an incredible year, and what an incredible man.

I began thinking of ways to help. I came up with the idea of a charity calendar. Obviously the catch would be that we were going to be in the nuddy. I began gathering participants, I wanted to convey the diverse nature of all who compete in triathlon, so asked women of all ages, shapes and sizes. They were all fantastic, and despite initial reservations they all jumped straight in!

I was really nervous last night before I had to get up on the stage to introduce it.. I'm not quite sure why! Maybe I thought people wouldn't like it, or would think it was an awful idea. But it was the opposite! People really seemed to enjoy it, and walked round looking at the pictures, and many came and spoke to me. People even asked for us to sign the calendars, it was very surreal!!

I suppose people wouldn't think I was a shy person, I certainly don't look that way, or act it sometimes. But I do feel I'm more of an introvert, I'm happiest curled up with my dog and a book on the sofa, wrapped in a blanket! Yes, seriously!
I am also THE most prudish person ever. I won't even wear a bikini. I'm the one who sees people out in summer and tuts because they aren't wearing enough clothing for my liking. So quite how that goes with someone who gets their clothes off and has pictures took I don't know. I obviously have a split personality!!

I think I was focussing on the greater good, and apart from that I had a vision of what it would be like when it was finished, and I knew it would be great.

I had a moment last night where I sat watching proceedings and reflecting. In 2011 there were three of us connected to the club who lost people, all in weeks of each other. My nan was first, then Karen, then a club member called John died. The year has flown by, but also dragged.

The strangest thing for me to reflect on is that without nans death, the likelihood is I wouldn't have the life and friends I have now. That is what led me to entering the outlaw, to beginning the training. It was my focus for grief, and gave me something to cling to when everything else made no sense.

And now that journey is over, the outlaw, the celebration, the calendar project. That particular focus is over. The first year of life without my mother is over... and there are many more years to come without her. The same as for Mick, facing years without Karen, and for John's partner, who carries on alone. That makes me so sad.. But day by day I can also see how I have moved through those awful few months, and have begun to get my life back on track. And to see others doing the same- it really gives me hope.

I'm not trying to be depressing, I'm just reflecting on how life can throw such adversity at us, and how it can seem so unfair, so wrong that good people suffer. But we adapt.. we get back up, and most importantly, move forward.

Athletes from the club who got sponsored for the outlaw raised £18,000 for the charity.

Last night the party raised £7,000.

The calendars are on sale for £10. Bargain.

To find out more about The Karen Green Foundation please go www.karengreenfoundation.co.uk