101 RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS
I travelled to 23 countries over two years, saw some of the most beautiful sights on the planet, and went on some incredible adventures. But without a doubt, the time I spent helping other people was the highlight of my trip.
I recently had the immense pleasure of speaking to the guys at Young Gloucestershire. This wonderful charity supports disadvantaged young people (aged 11-25) who are facing challenges in their lives. They were such a great bunch and we had an amazing time. One of the many things I spoke about during my presentation was just how rewarding it was to be able to help others.
Inspired by this message the Young Gloucestershire gang later organised an entire day of performing 101 Random Acts of Kindness as a way of helping others and spreading the word about 101 Things To Do When You Survive. Dressed in their 101 shirts and jerseys the guys wrote and gave out inspirational notes, friendship bracelets, cakes and even hid gifts for people to find.
A huge thank you to Gemma and Young Gloucestershire for asking me to visit and for putting the biggest smile on my face – and on the faces of every single person they helped during their day of kindness.
You guys are amazing and utterly inspirational.
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CLARINS WOMAN OF THE YEAR
A huge and proud congratulations to my beautiful and inspirational girlfriend, Jaime, for winning the 2016 Clarins Woman of the Year award.
Jaime has helped change the lives of so many people via her charity 52 Lives and is now about to help change the lives of thousands more with her new School Kindness Project.
If you’re not following 52 Lives then please do so – 52 Lives
Like her, it is filled with kindness, hope and love and will help you believe that this world really is a very kind and generous place indeed. I am so proud of her.
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I AM NOT DEFINED BY MY MEDICAL HISTORY
Last week I had the honour of speaking at the Northern European Conference on Travel Medicine in London – an amazing event that attracts nurses, doctors and health professionals from all over the continent who descend on London to hear the latest from world class speakers at the top of their medical fields (….and then me!). I have given a lot of talks over the years, but this was definitely one of the highlights of my speaking career. It was the ideal platform for me to get across a message I feel so passionately about, and one that I feel is vital for every health professional to hear – particularly those advising people on travel.
Our medical history does not define us.
When someone is going through a tough time, facing serious illness, or intensive treatment, it is really easy for health professionals or friends and family to advise against travel. After all, it is in unnecessary risk…things could go wrong. What happens if you get sick abroad? What about medication? What about insurance? There are so many reasons not to travel. But it could also be the best thing you ever do for yourself, both physically and mentally.
On paper, I am a medical nightmare (cancer twice, one kidney, half a bowel, DVT, PTSD and in remission for bowel cancer). But 5 years ago, in my anxious/insomniac/post-cancer state, I was lucky enough to have an open-minded professor who could see that travel was the best possible treatment for me. His words of encouragement gave me goosebumps when I broached the subject of travelling “Greig, i think that is a marvellous idea.”
All of the potential problems I foresaw were overcome with some planning and preparation. I stocked up on medication, I took my INR device with me to test my blood as I went, I had 6 monthly checks up at hospitals around the world and most of all I listened to my body.
Despite my plethora of ‘problems’, I also found affordable travel insurance with an amazing company called Insurancewith.com , which was set-up by a woman who had had breast cancer and struggled to get insured for a holiday during her chemo. She later set up this amazing company.
My trip was without a doubt the best medicine I could have had at what was my worst time. But, as Ive said in the past, it wasn’t even just the trip itself that made me feel better. It was the months of research, route-planning, and excited preparation that lead up to it that started to make me feel better. And Ive retrospectively discovered why this was. Our brains can’t really distinguish between reality and imagination – so even just visualising yourself doing something you enjoy can be enough to release the feel-good chemicals in your brain. So by imagining myself on these adventures, doing amazing things, I was already changing my emotional state. And as my mental health approved, my physical health soon followed. My stress-induced eczema cleared up, I started sleeping – I was rediscovering my old self again.
Now I know that obviously travel may not be possible for everyone, either physically or financially. But if it is what you really want to do, I would just encourage you to have some long chats with your doctor about the potential risks and benefits. It could be the best decision you ever make.
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For further advice and information on health travel please visit nathnac.net.
BACKYARD CINEMA
If you are a bit of a movie geek like me then this is something that might well make it onto your lists!
Backyard cinema was founded by a group of friends who started off showing movies in their back garden. It has now grown into something far bigger and even more amazing.
Backyard cinema is now a roaming theatrical cinema that shows a wide selection of films in a variety of iconic, unusual and immersive locations both indoors and outdoors around London. Often creating a physical world surrounding the movie using in depth set buildings, actors and live music, each show is turned into a unique experience.
This was my first time at Backyard cinema and I wasn’t disappointed.
Sat in deck chairs, my girlfriend and I watched Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet in an old church which was decked out in the same style as the church in the actual film. There was a full choir who took over when the musical parts came on screen singing classics like Young Hearts and Everybody’s Free which was incredible. They also have a bar and snack carts to help keep away those mid movie munchies.
I’m a movie geek at the best of times but this was an amazing movie experience in a mind blowing setting. If you’re ever in need of a couple of hours of feel good escapism then this is definitely one for your lists.
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FUN, SUNSHINE AND HOPE AT RELAY FOR LIFE, SHETLAND
I first experienced the wonderful spectacle that is Relay for Life when I was asked to speak at the survivors’ lunch when I was in Sydney in 2014. It turned out to be one of my most favourite days. When you consider that when in Australia I ticked things off my list such as learning to surf, watching the sunset over Uluru and singing at the Sydney Opera House, it says quite a lot about just how special this particular event was.
Relay for Life Shetland was no exception. This weekend over 1300 people took to the track in Lerwick and helped raise over £127,000 for Cancer Research UK.. This is exceptional for any event but to be raised by a small group of islands with a population of just 23,000 people makes it even more incredible.
My Shetland experience started on the plane from Edinburgh where I got chatting to a lovely woman called Margaret. Margaret is a Shetlander born and bred and we chatted the entire way to these magical islands. In true traveller style we shared our life stories before actually finding out each others names. This chance meeting which Margaret believed was fate set the tone for the entire weekend and every single person I met was so warm and welcoming.
The Shetland Relay for Life is the biggest in Europe and only happens once every two years. Since it began in 2006, it has now raised over one million pounds for Cancer Research UK.
The committee chair for Shetland Relay for Life (probably the loveliest guy you could ever hope to meet and with the best beard ever) told me that it is the strong sense of community that makes it so special. Everyone knows one another and therefore knows someone who has been touched by cancer. So they are determined to do all they can to support their friends and help beat this awful disease.
THE BIG DAY AND NIGHT
Relay day started with a day gala where games and stalls lined the track and families from local towns and villages took full advantage of the blazing sunshine and blue skies. I even had shorts and my 101 shirt on so it must have been warm! I think working in the BBQ tent kept me in my shorts on a wee bit longer.
At 7pm the relayers arrived and I quickly transformed from summer gear into my winter gear and survivors shirt before giving a speech to over 100 Shetland cancer survivors. I also had the pleasure of meeting Wilma who was celebrating 50 years of being all clear. Wilma told me that when she was diagnosed with breast cancer 50 years ago there was no chemotherapy so she had to have a radical mastectomy and radiotherapy. Such a lovely and amazing woman who said she was so grateful to still be here.
Seeing over 1300 people then take to the track has to be one of the most incredible sights I’ve ever seen. People dressed in viking costumes and fancy dress all there to walk through the night in their relay teams and show cancer that hope is well and truly etched in the Shetland psyche.
In-between the amazing performance from the choir I then had the honour of giving a speech to the 1300 wonderful relayers at the beautiful and poignant Candle of Hope Ceremony. I spoke about my experience with cancer and the power of hope.
This ceremony is a way of celebrating those who have survived this awful disease and to remember those we have lost. I hope I did it justice. Relayers then walked around the track which is lined with beautifully decorated candle bags which are dedicated to those we have lost and to those still fighting. It is an incredible and emotional sight to see and once again a reminder of just how fortunate I am to still be here.
Relayers walked through the night taking it turns to hit the track before the closing ceremony at 07:30am where the committee unveiled the mind blowing fundraising total.
Meeting Martin and his wonderful fellow committee members who all devote their own time to making this event happen was pure joy for me. My trip around the world was so special because of the people I met along the way rather than things I ticked off my list. In Shetland I was once again blown away by just how kind and generous people are.
Everything you see in these photos from food to tents and chairs were all donated by local companies meaning that all money raised went to Cancer Research UK in the fight against cancer.
Huge congratulations to Martin and the Shetland Committee for their truly remarkable achievement and thank you for asking me to be part of something so special. Special thanks to Simon, Louise and Michelle from Cancer Research UK who helped make this all possible.
I’ve met a fair few people from CRUK now and I can safely say that they have the most incredible people working for them.
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I am still looking for more team members for Team 101 for the Ascot Relay for Life on July 16th so please get in touch if you fancy having the most wonderful hope filled weekend.
AN INTERVIEW WITH MY SURVIVAL STORY
A wonderfully produced video and interview about 101 Things To Do When You Survive from the inspiring guys at My Survival Story.
MY SURVIVAL STORY
Earlier this year I was interviewed by two very inspiring people from Switzerland.
Martin, a fellow cancer survivor and his fiancé Katarina are on a global mission to seek out other cancer survivors and share their stories as a way of inspiring others. They’ve called this project My Survival Story.
I am incredibly honoured to be part of this project and we would love to know what you think of this video. If you know anyone who may benefit from hearing about my experiences with cancer and PTSD then please feel free to pass this on.
You can follow their incredible journey and see more videos here :-
www.mysurvivalstory.org
Good luck guys. I absolutely love what you are doing.
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Click to watch video
A WHISTLE STOP TRIP TO BERLIN
A whistle stop trip to Berlin and the chance to spread the 101 message of hope! Love it! Mainland Europe…you’re on my list!;)
Next stop and another amazing place to add to my list – The Shetland Islands for possibly the most northerly Relay for Life in the world – 28th-29th May! Hope you can make it!
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THE EAST HERTS CRUK VENETIAN MASQUERADE BALL
On Saturday the 14th May I had the immense honour of co hosting and presenting at the CRUK Venetian Masquerade Ball in London.
Huge congratulations to the East Herts CRUK committee for putting on such a spectacular and memorable event. The night was packed with performances from legends galore from Ray Lewis from the Drifters to watching superstar actor Ray Winstone host the best and funniest live auctions ever.
My inspirational co-host, Rowena Kincaid and I were overwhelmed by the reception we received when sharing our stories and to receive standing ovations was
Myself and my family and friends were so honoured to be there and the amount of money raised for the ground breaking work of Cancer Research UK was absolutely mind blowing. Over 60K and counting!
Raising money by having fun! Love it!
All profits will be going to the revolutionary Francis Crick Institute which is about to make history and help the world beat this awful disease.
Hope to see you all there next year!
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NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM
Get ready to squeeze a little something extra onto your lists gang.
When my friend Fifi first asked me if I wanted to spend the night at the Science museum in London I thought she was having a bit of laugh.
It turns out she wasn’t joking at all and we both got the chance to live out a childhood dream, and spend the night in an actual museum.
The Science museum in London has now started opening its doors at night in an incredible all night long science extravaganza called Astronights.
Astronights starts at 7pm and ends at 09:30 the following morning and is packed with workshops, exclusive access to galleries, a three course meal, an Imax movie showing, breakfast and best of all…. setting up camp and sleeping between the exhibits and displays in the world famous London Science museum! Both Astronights and the Science museum in general cater for those with disabilities so this is suitable for the everyone.
Have a look at the website for more details and see below for the 101 experience –
http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/…/nighttime-eve…/astronights
THE 101 EXPERIENCE
Our night started with a cheeky free drink before being allocated an area of the museum to sleep in. With around 200 people there, everyone is split into groups and given an exhibition area to sleep in. Fifi and I, like kids in a candy shop were almost too excited but being responsible grown ups, we opted for the display nearest the toilet and the water station. 🙂
We laid our sleeping bags underneath a display monitor in the space section on the second floor. Amazingly, a lovely girl called Megan, who I met when I was in Nicaragua was there with her boyfriend and had set up camp right next to us. The world really is a small place after all.
We then took part in two interactive and educational workshops which were amazing, followed by the worst three course meal you could ever imagine. Great service but very bad food which was the only downside of what was an amazing night. With free reign to explore different parts of the museum we got to choose which workshops and displays we visited.
We decorated bags, checked out some other hands on work shops but my favourite part by far was a torchlight exhibition led by two actors who played inventor Thomas Eddison and the first woman to fly solo across the atlantic, Amelia Earhart. This was incredible and the actors were amazing. If you go, definitely check out this part of the night.
At a half past midnight we all grabbed our (price included) popcorn and drinks and sat back for a private showing of the new Star Wars film on the enormous Imax screen which was mind blowing. This ended at around 3:30am and then it was a compulsory few hours sleep before breakfast and access to the morning De Vinci exhibition.
Despite the evening meal, this was an incredible experience.The staff were absolutely incredible and really made this experience what it was. It’s not cheap at £180 but keep your eyes peeled for deals near the time of the event and you should be able to get cheaper tickets.
It’s fair to say it was an exhausting but incredible night. Learning whilst having fun. Best combo ever!
The best part of all though was spending this time with my gorgeous friend Fiona. She is probably the loveliest person you could ever hope to meet and one of the very first supporters of 101 Things To Do When You Survive. Fifi had a cake sale to help raise money for me when I was still in the planning stages and I will be forever grateful to her.
A huge thank you to Fifi for this amazing night at the Science Museum but most of all for all her support and friendship over the years.
I hope you guys get to do this one day.
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THE PRETTIEST VILLAGE IN ENGLAND
Here is a wee place you might want to add to your list of things to do this summer.
The little village of Castle Combe in Wiltshire has to be one of my most favourite places in the world and one I’m sure many of you will be flocking to once you see these photos.
Often referred to as the ‘Prettiest Village in England’, it has retained the classic customs and charm of yesteryear. The village is packed full of chocolate box houses, picture postcard views at every turn and country pubs for a good old British Sunday roast or a spot of afternoon tea. There’s even an unmanned cake stand outside someone’s house that runs on pure honesty.
Some of you may recognise the village from both the small and silver screen having been featured in movies such as War Horse, Stardust, Dr Dolittle and most recently, the legendary Downton Abbey series….yes, I was a fan!:)
On a beautiful summers day like this one last year, Castle Combe feels like paradise. The village houses are stunning but my favourite place is the Manor House hotel gardens.
Castle Combe is located just down the road from the village where my parents live so when I was at their house recuperating from my bowel operation we would sometimes go there for a little walk and a cuppa.
It’s so beautiful and peaceful, and when sitting up in the terrace gardens over looking the valley and the Manor House, your problems feel like a million miles away. There are also lots of walks that lead off into the surrounding countryside so take your walking shoes and have a wonder.
There are a couple of guest houses there and the Manor House hotel rents beautiful little cottages if you want to stay over.
In the winter you’ll see the smoke coming out of the chimneys and the mist making its way up the valley. Absolutely magical!
I hope you all get to visit one day.
A huge thank you to my parents for hanging out with me and being my models for the day. I especially love the 101 pose at the Manor House. 🙂
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