Make A Difference...

January has certainly set the bar for the rest of 2012...

Back in October last year- when I first began my list- I wrote to the magazine Company (www.company.co.uk) explaining what I was doing. I was completely surprised when they quickly wrote back to me loving the idea and wanting to feature it somehow in the magazine. I expected it would perhaps feature in the letters section but was overwhelmed when they replied wanting to do an article in their February issue. After a few emails and a 2 hour long phone call the interview was complete and now the wait was on for the issue to come out. I didn't have too high expectations as any mention of my blog in the magazine was going to be an achievement but when the magazine hit the shelves on the 12th January I was in for a complete shock. I don't remember the drive to the shop very well as I was filled with a mixture of excitement/nerves/apprehension. I quickly scanned the shelves until I finally lay my eyes on the front cover. I opened the first page and a lump hit my throat when I saw '23 things to do before 23' in the contents page under 'features'. My fingers could not get to the page quick enough and when I reached page 88 and saw the illustration of my face I could not hide my joy. I had a few funny looks as I let out a little shriek and grinned like a cheshire cat as I read the whole article. I must of stood there for 10 minutes going over and over every word. I showed a lady next to me and she was equally as excited, promptly putting a copy in her trolley to take home too.

I can already see the amount of interest the magazine has generated with now closing in on 4000 views, more followers on twitter and blogger and facebook 'like's'. The most unexpected part has been the emails I have received from people who have came across the blog and enjoyed it that much they wanted to thank me. A lot of people have also mentioned being able to donate to the charity. I was hesitant at first in setting up the justgiving page so soon as I did not want to put pressure on people. The main reason for the blog has always been to promote people to think differently about life and raise the profile of the charity C-R-Y but I have no doubt that I will complete all the tasks on my list- even if it bankrupts me!

 I have taken the plunge and can proudly present to you my justgiving page at- www.justgiving.com/23b423

If you have enjoyed reading my tasks so far and would like to donate a pound or two it would be greatly appreciated. Every penny will go to the charity and they are always so thankful for the money they receive enabling them to buy equipment, fund heart screening days and continue their research. You really will be making a huge difference to people lives and even saving that of your own. C-R-Y work tirelessly to encourage EVERY person from 14-35 to have their heart tested for undiagnosed heart conditions.

The below Midlands campaign may help you understand-

More information on the work C-R-Y completes can be found at- http://www.c-r-y.org.uk

Thank you for taking the time to read this post and another task will be completed shortly.

Many thanks for your support as always, you can contact me at grace.collins@live.co.uk or follow me on twitter at @thegracecollins. I have also made it possible for you to add comments to posts without a google account so if there are any previous tasks you have enjoyed please leave a comment.

Grace xx

Task 12: Bring Me Sunshine..

New years day and my housemate knocks on my door to say my Mum is on her way. I look at my phone and as my eyes gain focus I see 7:30am and 4 missed calls *Urgh* Through the haze of last nights alcohol I remember its time to complete another task. When I chose to watch the sunrise on new years day I thought it would be one of the easier tasks to complete...I probably forgot how early I would have to get up with a severe hangover to boot.

I pulled on whatever clothes were around and made my way downstairs tip-toeing round the empty beer cans, party poppers and other remainders of last nights party. It looked cold, windy and grey outside but off I went to welcome the first sunrise of 2012- my commitment to this list had never been so tested. Luckily my Mum and Dad had been a little more sensible when it came to planning and had very kindly offered to come and pick me up to ensure I actually completed the task and could enjoy myself a little on new years eve. We had checked the times of the sunrise online a few times and I was quite shocked to learn that it was approximately 8:15am. It was starting to look quite bright outside already and I got nervous we were going to miss it. What people do not realise is that when it actually goes bright outside this is not sunrise, this is only dawn. To get a little scientific with you- dawn is the time that marks the beginning of the twilight before sunrise. It is recognised by the presence of weak sunlight, while the sun itself is still below the horizon. Dawn should not be confused with sunrise, which is the moment when the leading edge of the sun itself appears above the horizon.


So with my fake eyelashes still clinging on for dear life we made our way to out first spot which unfortunately ended up being hidden by tree's. With a little time we made our way to our second spot which was perfect..the same could not be said for the weather and it was too cloudy for the sunrise that day. As much as I was not happy with the early rise, hangover (and serious need for a bacon sandwich) I was really disappointed we had come all this way to not see it.


Cutting a lonely figure on new years day



Attempt 2:

The very next day we made our way to the same spot with a new person too- my Grandad. Whilst the early morning was still not appealing, being free of a hangover did ease getting up this time. We got there nice and early and whilst there was still some cloud we would definitely be able to see the sunrise this time- result! I must admit as we waited patiently with the wind howling round us I was not expecting anything spectacular. I only chose this task when I did my (brief) research into the list I read that at some point in your life you should watch the sunrise on new years day.

Really impressed with the second early morning

However, I was pleasantly surprised when at approximately 8:17am we saw the smallest slither of sun poke up above the east. It was amazing how quickly it rose from the horizon and within a minute we could see the whole sun. It truly was breathtaking and I was so pleased I had made the effort to see something I had never seen before and doubt will ever see again...

Ta-Dar!

Big thank you to my parents for coming with me..twice and my grandad for taking great pictures.

I would recommend you all watch the sunrise at some point in your life as it was truly breathtaking.

Happy New Year to you all xx