Donna Ryan (‘Doz') was beautiful, funny and loving with sparkling eyes and a knock out smile. Always game for a laugh with a dirty sense of humour!
She grew up in Farnborough where she lived with her Mum, Dad and sister, Cindy. She married Martin (‘Mole') in 2001, her childhood sweet heart. But she still lived within walking distance of her Mum and Dad's … and their cupboards stocked with food!
Doz had a true love of children and was such a wonderful auntie to Lottie and Lucy (‘the Birds' as she called them). She also had a number of godchildren and was a strong believer in Angels.
Her other great love was shoes which probably stemmed from her Saturday job in Freeman Hardy Willis! Her favourite red pair still resides in her Mum and Dad's kitchen … she will never leave their home.
In her professional career she worked in Logistics at Hydron, Nokia and Mercury. After suffering with headaches (she thought from using computers!) she decided to work part-time and found her true vocation working for a national deaf charity whilst studying sign language in the evenings.
Doz was diagnosed with an Astrocytoma brain tumour in July 2004 and although it was large it was low grade. Due to a number of complications she ended up having 3 operations in 3 months. She was so brave and not fazed by it at all. After the third operation she was left with the shakes and said she was going to ask Mr. Kipling for a job sprinkling the icing sugar on his cakes! This was typical of Doz always looking on the positive
Regular scans showed that the tumour had not grown. Although Doz was unable to drive her beloved Beetle car this did not stop her from getting on with her life. She went on holiday to Rome and New York, took up Yoga and enjoyed going out with friends. However, in May 2006 a scan revealed the tumour had become aggressive and had significantly grown. Sadly Doz passed away in June 2006 aged 33.
Doz was loved by everyone she met. Her family and husband adored her as did her wide circle of friends. She tackled her illness with great courage and strength that none of us will ever forget. By creating the Donna Ryan Fund it will enable us all to get together to remember Doz whilst ensuring that other people's lives don't become memories too.
Open Garden - 20 April
Here is Cindy (second from right) and her faithful helpers before they were inundated with requests for cream teas and cakes!
Read all the up to date news in Cindy's Spring 08 Newsletter.
Peter Bond and friends will be doing a 67 mile walk around the Isle of Wight from 26th to 29th April. To sponsor this event click here.
This event was extremely popular last year so Cindy and friends thought they would do it again! The venue was Virginia Waters and the route approximately 7 miles long.
Land's End to John O'Groats 2 - 8 June
Caroline Goward is riding her bike from Land's End to John O'Groats and is aiming to finish on Sun 8th June. That's 140 miles a day for 7 days! She is busy training at the moment and if you would like to sponsor Caroline please click here.
Caroline is busy training
Colin O'Garro will be taking part in the London to Brighton Bike Ride on Sunday 15th June.
To sponsor Colin please click here.
Colin in training!
Everyone had such a lovely time last year they have decided to do another one! Emma and Pete are organising a BBQ at their home to raise funds in memory of their friend Donna.
Past Fundraising Events:
In 2007 a number of highly successful fundraising events were held:
Martin Ryan completed the Reading Half Marathon. Here he is with his sister-in-law Cindy Coleman:
Cindy tells us that their event on May 6th at Virginia Water was a great success. So far £880 has been raised as a result of this 5 mile sponsored walk.
Other events included a Garden Party in Farnham in June, a BBQ in July, an ntl:Telewest team undertook the three peaks challenge in September. Also in September a Charity Golf Day was held and the year was rounded off with Dozzies Do - a 70s night of fun.
Seventies Night Fun
Reading Half Marathon
Ross Smith, a close friend of Donna's husband Martin, took part in the 2008 Reading Half Marathon and raised over £500 for the Fund.
