Around the end of last summer, a small group of Adam's closest friends asked if we were planning anything to mark five years of losing him, the date would be 1st July 2012. We had been thinking about this, as it is an important milestone in our grief. But we had no idea what to do. So they took all the worry away from us and decided they would arrange a big fundraiser in his memory at Sidcup Rugby Club, where most of Adam’s team were now playing together again after the intervening years completing their studies etc. The date was chosen of 12th May 2012, which is three days after what would have been Adam’s 24th birthday. The actual anniversary of his death, 1st July, was too painful to consider having it on that date, but 12th May was perfect and allowed for a birthday celebration as well as all the fundraising events that were planned. Originally these included a charity rugby match and fun day but it was already cricket season so no pitch was available – a blessing in disguise as there would no doubt have been some players nursing injuries. In the Sidcup gym there’s a notice saying “Pain is only weakness leaving the body” and I’m sure they all believe that to be the case! We had two or three pre-event meetings and sent out invitations far and wide, trying to get personal invitations to as many people as possible. These things, simple on paper, are never so easy as they seem – but every obstacle was overcome and the evening was an incredible success. The early evening sun was shining as we arrived at the rugby club (a miracle in itself this year when there hadn’t been any sun for months!) and it bathed the function hall in a lovely warm glow. Then everyone started arriving and the hall was full of beautiful people determined to party! The DJs gave their services for free, there was a fantastic auction run by the fundraising committee including items such as Frank Lampard’s signed football boots, an England Six Nations signed rugby shirt, a BMW for the weekend, and even 2 hours service from a topless gardener! The raffle that followed the auction sold a huge number of tickets, and again there were many wonderful prizes which had so kindly been donated. Also all the lovely mums had put together a fantastic buffet, again totally for free, which even included purple glittery cupcakes! For my small family, some of whom had travelled from Italy, Spain and Dubai for us all to be together that night, it was hugely uplifting and extremely moving to see just how loved Adam was – and is. The fundraising was to be divided equally between three charities – RNLI, MIND in Bexley and The Compassionate Friends, a charity supporting bereaved parents and siblings – and I am delighted to say that just over £6,000 was raised in all, an incredible amount for a single evening. I cannot thank everyone enough for all the efforts that they put into making Adam’s fundraising evening such an incredible success. There were so many people helping out in whatever way possible that it would be a very long list, but nevertheless the core fundraising committee of Jamie, Beth, Chelsea, Bert, Hannah, Neil, Lydia and my husband Ian really were wonderful. There is so much work behind the scenes for months in advance when organising an event such as this and they gave their time and help without hesitation. Finally I would just like to say that we chose RNLI as one of our charities because the lifeboat crews and lifeguards risk their lives trying to save others at sea. We already had a Forever By The Sea fund set up in his memory with help from Gemma Nightingale, who has been really helpful and kind. We do not know if there was a lifeboat in Zante that could have saved Adam if it had got to him in time, but with our donation to RNLI we can be sure that it will be helping in a small way to save lives around the UK coastline in his memory, and I am sure that my dear son would be very proud.