Preston Goes Banana’s

A big thank you to everyone who supported Go Banana’s Day last Friday. I was really overwhelmed by the support I received from you all and I am very grateful.

The day actually started 24hrs early as Maureen Entwistle very kindly brought in some Banana Muffins & Banana Flapjacks. Everything was sold within the hour due to Maureens reputation for making exceedingly good cakes (Sorry). The sale made a brilliant £14.50

On the Friday as promised I opened up the building sporting my banana costume and covered my face in yellow paint. As expected I got a couple of dodgy looks because not only did a look like a banana but i looked like a banana with liver failure. Then after an hour or so on the Helpdesk me and my wingman Suf went on a mission up to the Friends Provident office with some Banana flavoured sweets, all the staff were very generous and my bucket was a lot more heavier than when I went up.

Mel Lewthwaithe then accompanied me round Liberata’s office. Every person from Liberata’s Preston office who made a donation received a slip enabling them to get a box signed off on their Liberata passport as they had supported The Prince’s Trust. Again everyone made fantastic donations for which I’m very grateful.

Sandra Makin was also holding a competition for guessing how many Banana’s were in the Jar. There were 3 winners who correctly guessed 55 and they were Andy Hawkins, Donna Thompson and Alison Bell. All 3 were then asked a tie breaker question which was "How many banana’s are eaten on average in Britain each week?" The correct answer was 140 million and the winner was Andy with the closest guess of 40 million. The competition and the sweet sale raised £32.

In the afternoon I had a couple of interviews and a few pictures taken for the local newspapers, as you do when you’re dressed as a Banana in the middle of winter. Then I set about on my walk around Preston Dock with a number of colleagues from the office. The walk wasn’t half as bad as I thought it would be and I actually forgot at one point that I was dressed as a Banana. I even managed to scare some Ducks & some Seagulls which i was happy with because i hate Seagulls.

After a spot of lunch in the Pub and being asked weather I was a stripper, I then got on me bike for the first time since my accident and cycled round the dock 3 times. I also nearly ended up in the dock when the end of my banana got stuck between my handle bars (That sounds dodgy), however my cat like reflexes helped prevent yet another cycling accident on my behalf. I also nearly gave some poor women a heart attack aswell when i passed her. All in all was a successful little cycle i think.

We managed to raise £425 which i am really happy about and once again i would like to thank everyone that supported me and everyone who helped me in making Banana Day a big success!!!

Cheers

Simon

P.s

If anyone else would like to sponsor me please visit www.justgiving.com/simonduckworth