Wendi, Gill and Judi presented a cheque for £2,666 to Guin Batten of the Youths Sports Trust at the Leander Club in Henley last Wednesday 22nd October. Guin gained a silver medal in the Women's Fours rowing at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000.
Guinn went on to say "Thanks for all your hard work in raising the money on behalf of Harry, it will go towards innovating support for other talented young people in sport. I plan to run the Harry Mills – Team maker award at the Talent Camp on the 11th January 2009 in Loughborough"
Serena did it - click here for results. Well done.
Serena Spencer Jones is running the New York Half Marathon to raise funds for the Meningitis Research Foundation in memory of Harry and her god daughter who survived after contracting Meningitis.
Serena says...
"I wanted to say how hard I've been training, clocking up miles & miles, morning, noon, and night (in my Hi-Vis gillet & flashing armband) and the weather has over the last year tried to blow me over, soak me & toast me but it's ALL been worthwhile.
I'm now in the 'tapering off' part - I run less & less till we fly to New York next Wednesday (crikey the nerves set in when I write this) then on arrival after registering I only have 3 titchy light runs. The idea is I'll be honed & ready like a coiled spring to take on the monster 26.2 miles and just power through it!
Well if thats a good enough game plan for Paula Radcliff it's good enough for me!
So all you wonderful kind people please please click onto my Just Giving web page and sponsor me to do this for Harry & the Meningitis Research Foundation.
The Marlow U11's sporting Harry's socks formed the Tunnel of Honour at the opening Heineken Cup game Wasps V Castres at Adams Park on 12th October.
The Marlow U11s included 42 boys with the Wasps Community team, followed by nearly 100 players and parents.
Stuart Wilson Head Coach says "We had our picture with the Guinness Premiership trophy and also formed the tunnel of honour as the players came on to the pitch. All our players were wearing Harry’s socks and the stadium announcer gave a very nice introduction about Harry, the socks and the terrific amount of money raised".
Harry's Socks raised £1600 for the Meningitis Research Foundation and what a journey it has been!
A donation of £400 from Mark Foster from Newbury Rugby Club was invested in replica socks of those that Harry wore during his playing days at Marlow Rugby Club. The distinctive hooped socks were remembered by Marlow coach and referee Graeme Kempson during many an hour on the rugby pitch. He conceived the idea of the socks as a way to remember Harry and raise further funds. You can read about the original presentation of the socks here.
It is eight months since the socks presentation and during this time they have become a truly international event. Worn by Marlow teams from mini to youth to the 1st XV in memory of Harry and by brother George and the John Hampden Grammar School team on their world wide tour. The socks visited Hong Kong, Australia, Fiji, Canada, USA and were worn during a spectacular winning game against New Zealand. Phil Vickery England Rugby Captain will wear the during a Barbarians game. Many Friends locally and from around the world have also bought Harry's Socks.
The presentation of the cheque was kindly hosted by Mark Foster at Newbury Rugby Club. Mark laid on a terrific day including lunch before the under 11's played a curtain raiser in Harry's socks which they won 10 - 0. Very exciting for them because they played on the 1st team pitch watched by the 1st team. We the watched the 1st division game between Newbury and Esher - Newbury wearing Harry's socks.
In the photograph of the Presentation from left - John Watson, Graeme Kempson , Mark Foster, Richard, Judi and Newbury mascot.
Newbury laid on a terrific meal and David Smith - the President of Newbury RFC remembered Harry in his pre match speech.
Instrumental in the organisation are John Watson, (Marlow Coach), Michele Tedeschi and Reg Murrell. Michele I think sums the day up when he said:
"I felt very proud to have known Harry, to be associated with the Foundation and to be part of Marlow RFC. The idea of Harry's socks was so fantastic and the rewards so incredible that I can't believe it myself. I thought that Mark Foster and all at Newbury RFC did us proud on Saturday: their hospitality and friendship was heart-warming and just shows what can be done. Newbury RFC have gone to the top of the tree as far as I am concerned.
Let us keep this wonderful thing going and even Harry would be proud of us"
Yes - the parachute jump finally took place on a hot sunny day 21st September 2008. Around 30 well wishers were at the event and the the three girls all landed within 20 yards of the target - Marie on it!
Marie & Jenny (Harry’s sisters) and friend Louise Coleborn jumped 3,500ft for Harry. Marie says: “To mark the anniversary of Harry’s death I wanted to do something in memory of him and to honour the life he once had, and of course to raise money to help find a cure, to stop other families having to deal with the loss, pain and confusion that we have suffered. Myself, my sister Jenny and a my friend Louise Coleborn will be jumping out of a plane from 3,000 feet, with only ourselves and a cord to pull our parachute - otherwise known as a static line jump. We originally planned to jump on the 27th April after a full days worth of training on the 26th up at Booker (nr. High Wycombe) airfield. Due to bad weather the jump was cancelled.
Marie goes on to say "it was terrifying at first but once the parachute opened and we floated down it was really peaceful and able to reflect on why we were doing it"
The girls have raised £3000 for the Meningitis Research Foundation.
Pictures of the jump can be viewed here - Jump Pictures
Videos of the landing below Marie top Jenny and Louise bootom.
Harry Mills was a dedicated sportsman and as pictured Wendi Parcell (centre) and Gill May (left) with Judi Mills (right) have remembered him by raising funds at Harry's Lunch for The Youth Sport Trust which supports the development of all young people through sport. Harry's Lunch was held at St. Katherine's, Parmoor, Frieth on 23rd September 2008.
Harry’s Lunch was a great success and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Guests (120) arrived for a Pimms & canapes reception in the entrance hall, entertained by Jenny Hayes on piano. Guests then moved through to the anteroom where there was a display of Harry's medals & trophies & photos. There was also a display of some of the sporting events/trophies & awards that have happened over the last few months since his death. e.g. the Outstanding Sportsman (from Marlow Town Council), The 'Harry Mills' scull (Marlow rowing club), Marlow Merlins & RUFC Cups & Awards and The Youth Sport Trust 'Harry Mills Team Maker Award'.
Among the guests was Alan Black of the RFU and ex Wasps player - Blackie and the RFU have been very supportive, donating a Box at Twickenham and holding fund raising events - the Talking Rugby Dinners at Bisham Abbey (next one on the 28th November 2008).
Following a welcome speech by Wendi Parcell, a delicious lunch was served by St Katharine's staff. Judi then gave a speech & explained about Harry's Garden - Katie Watkins & Sam Tippett distributed the sunflower seeds (donated by Unwins & Suttons) and 'Harry Mills Mixture' sweet peas (created & donated by Roger Parsons Nurseries) or 'Our Harry' sweet peas (Eagle Nurseries).
The toast was – “to Harry”, a very special boy, and to all our very special friends' . Guin Batten (Youth Sport Trust) explained the work done by the YST including special, innovative projects with gifted & talented youngsters (mainly 14 - 18yr olds) at the start of their sporting careers. She said that they worked with youngsters on their whole motivation - mental preparation, goal setting, practical issues (e.g. how to train whilst still 'being a teenager') as well as skills & fitness training. She updated us on Mikey Wilson, winner of the Harry Mills Team Maker Award, - he recently represented England in Canada in the u14 canoe slalom team.
Gill May then asked Vince Mackenzie (ex head of Spinfield School) to draw the raffle - over 25 local businesses had very generously donated prizes ranging from gym membership at Bisham Abbey, Gift Basket from La Cotonniere, Cufflinks from Gatsby, tennis coaching from Justin Cook, Beauty vouchers from Sunrise salon, Flowers from Pollenation and Richard's giant jars of exclusive 'Windy Mills Pickled Onions & Pickled Beetroot'.
Other help came from Rebellion Brewery (donated beer), Waitrose (wine) and the Mums of Leighton Park School who donated the Pimms & wine served during the meal.
The Lunch raised £2500.
Many thanks to all our guests for your wonderful support.
The scull named after Harry by Marlow Rowing Club has won Gold at at the Home International Rowing in Cardiff (for Wales). Well done to the winners from the Mills family. You can read about the naming of the scull at Events for Harry in 2007.
We can also report that Marlow Rowing Club had a crew reach the final of Henley Regatta and then went on to pick 3 gold and a silver medal at the National Champions.
George, Harry's brother embarked in July on a World Rugby Tour with John HampdenGrammar School. A fantastic tour where they visited and played rugby in Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, USA and Canada.
The match in New Zealand was dedicated to Harry - the team wore Harry's socks and won the game 10 - 6. George is pictured on the back row fourth from right.
The website is well worth a visit and the video regarding the New Zealand game can be found at JHGS Tour.
The 3 counties cross country league wanted to sponsor a Harry Mills Memorial Cup in recognition of Harry’s achievements in this sport. The cup was to be awarded to a runner who showed determination & commitment as well as athletic ability. Rachel Goodwin, aged 10 years, has regularly competed in cross country events, representing Spinfield School in Marlow, and has displayed a consistent winning streak. Once, she even arrived late when the rest of the field had a 400 yard head start and still won! Harry would have appreciated that story – he once was out in front during a race, wasn’t sure which way to go, so stopped, waited for the rest to catch up to find out, then ran off again….finishing in 1st place!
Congratulations to Jack Joseph who won the Harry Mills Fair Play Trophy at Spinfield School in July 2008. This is an award made each year in memory of Harry who was pupil at Spinfield.
Zoe Overall and freinds from Cookham have raised more than £400 for Meningitis Research on a sponsored horse ride. Zoe made a promise to Richard Harry's Dad to organise the ride and has done just that. They had planned to ride in Windsor Great Park but were told the night before it had to be cancelled due to water logging. Undeterred Mum and Dad re-arranged the ride around Knowl Hill following (on foot) to ensure the safety of the riders.
Jenny (Harry’s sister), Nick Williams, Jessica Denton, Abbie Smith, Ben Inglis, Vicky Tippell, Mike Greene, Dominic Meadows, Vinh Trung Tieu & friend, and Kieran Prince competed in the Bupa 10km race at Hyde Park to raise funds for Meningitis. All finished the race, some despite never having run such a distance, and times ranged from 45 minutes to 1 hour 30minutes.
The following are a number of events and activities that have taken or are taking place in Harry's name. A number of upcoming events are also highlighted on the home page. Click on the pictures to view a full size version.
Events and Photographs Lots of events & activities are being planned in Harry's memory - please do send in any details that you have. If you have photographs of any of the events please send them in as well. Please forward anything for inclusion to Richard, Harry's Dad at: richardm@flexit-resources.co.uk
Newspaper Coverage If you’d like newspaper coverage, contacts are listed below: Bucks Free Press: - Ann Marie Canavan email amcanavan@london.newsquest.co.uk tel: 01494 755084 Maidenhead Advertiser: - Richard Catton email richardc@maidenads.co.uk tel: 01628 678221
Donations and Gift Aid – Ways to Donate Donations or sponsorship for any of these events can be made through Harry’s website. Please indicate in the “comments” column on the donation page the event that you have supported. Any other donations that are made to events direct can be sent with a “Gift Aid” form that enables the tax (if you are a UK taxpayer) to be reclaimed (28 pence in the £). You can download a standard form by clicking here.
