Our friend Bedford Wolf is fundraising for the MacMillan Cancer Support charity by doing a Christmas Day swim in the North Sea – in his Wolves shirt.
David (Bedford) is doing it in memory of his wife Julie, who sadly passed away in July following a long battle with breast cancer.
You can donate here on his Just Giving page.
Below are his own beautiful words about Julie, MacMillan and why he’s taking on the cold swim.
On 30th October 1978 Julie Gardner started work at Delta Enfield Rolling Mills where I was working. On 14th February 1979 we got engaged and were married on 8th September 1979. Four wonderful children came along – Janine in 1984, Daryl in 1986, Stephen in 1990 and Andrew in 1992. During that time we moved from Ware to Stevenage to Bedford where we have lived since 1991. In 2019 we celebrated our Ruby wedding anniversary.
In September 2001 at just 42 years of age Julie was diagnosed with breast cancer. After a mastectomy and radiotherapy she was eventually given the all clear in 2008. However in September 2010 Julie was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer – the same strain of cancer had returned but this time in her stomach area. An immediate course of chemotherapy followed and again in 2016 along with more radiotherapy all in an effort to keep the disease at bay for as long as possible. By this time we knew it couldn’t be cured. The pain and stress was only really lightened by seeing our children growing up and getting married and the arrival of our fabulous grandchildren – Harry in 2014, Rose in 2016, Stanley in 2017 and Arthur in 2018. A fifth is due in February 2021.
In January this year Julie’s condition worsened considerably and in June we were told there was nothing more that could be done. On Friday 24th July Julie, at just 61 years of age, passed away.
During her last few months with us the MacMillan Cancer Support people were fantastic and I really do not know what we would have done without them. It is entirely thanks to them that Julie got her wish and when she passed away it was at our home surrounded by her loving family.
In recent years we became enamoured by the Suffolk seaside town of Southwold and went there at least two or three times a year. For the past three years we have spent Christmas in Southwold, hiring a big house so that all the family can come and spend Christmas together. We are booked to go again this Christmas,
On Christmas Day there is an annual Southwold Christmas Day swim in the sea for charity. Sadly this year it has been cancelled due to Covid-19 but I will be doing my own personal swim in the sea on Christmas Day and am doing so to try and raise as much money as I can for MacMillan Cancer Support. I am doing it for them and in memory of my beautiful wife Julie (aka Jude) who meant the world to me and always will. Wife, Mum and Grandma.
Always and Forever. x
Come on fellow bloggers, a really worthwhile cause.
Give up the price of a few pints to help possible future victims of this horrible disease.
We all have either a family member, or know someone, who has suffered, and the more we can help, hopefully the sooner it can be overcome.
We all love you, Bedders!
Recently had the all clear from cancer, just read your letter cannot imagine what you and your family have gone through, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
Hey Bedders ,there’s not many people on here who don’t enjoy bumping into you at the games and having a beer or two , you are a great guy who is much loved by us all
Some of us have been lucky enough to meet your lovely wife Julie too .
It must be absolutely devastating for you and your boys i am and we are truly sorry for your loss .
The swim sounds a really fantastic idea . Good luck , you’ve got my support!
A strange black country Texan once said
” Much love Bedders ”
( then he probably swore or something)
Heartbreaking 5
Bedders 1
Bedford Wolf is making a great gesture with his swim on Xmas Day and for a worthy cause. The people in the caring professions do amazing work and deserve our support. Thought I would share my own experience. Back in Spring 2015 I noticed a small white pimple appear just below my jaw on the neck. Being a typical bloke I ignored it. By late summer it had grown in to something resembling a small mushroom. It began to bleed . In the September I went to the doctor who referred me straight away to a skin specialist at the hospital. He booked me in for urgent surgery. They cut it out and did a biopsy. I have a six inch scar from my right ear down my neck. It turned out to be a malevolent form of skin cancer. I am due to have my final check up in November this year when I am hoping to be discharged. A very stressful time but without our wonderful NHS who knows what would have happened. Any way all the best to Bedford. Hope you are ok.
Bedford, I don’t know you personally but have enjoyed reading your contributions to this blog. I was very sorry to hear of your sad loss and having lost my dad at the age of 50 on my sixteenth birthday I know what wonderful work Macmillan do during times like this. Having swum in the sea at Tenby on Boxing Day I also know you will be bloody cold so very well done in advance. I’ve made a small donation and urge others to do so. We can’t spend money watching wolves at the moment so why not donate the price of a match ticket to a fantastic cause?
I’ve done the Boxing Day swim at Tenby a few times SCW.
I knew I’d seen you somewhere before.
I was the one who had turned blue and was speaking with the squeaky voice.
I had the great pleasure and honour of working for the NHS for 33 fantastic years, 22 as a Paramedic Officer with Staffordshire Ambulance. In 1985 I lost my Mother at the tender age of 59 years young, She died just 3 days before being admitted to a MacMillan hospice, sadly she missed out on spending he last days in amazing surroundings by these absolutely wonderful professionals.
I have witnessed every heartache and trauma known to man in my time as a Paramedic, one case that has always stood out was a lady about 45 years old with 5 beautiful daughters looking after her last days. It was my honour to look after this lady’s pain relief in her last weeks, she held her head high and carried herself with dignity with humour and teasing people all the time through her treatment.
Julie was like this lady and when I met her she always carried her illness with calmness and with a strong will and bravery. All who knew her loved her and their lives were enriched from knowing this brave lady.
Please, even if you didn’t know Julie you must know someone somewhere experiencing this trauma,
MacMillan are an amazing organisation and wonderful people, please, please help Dave honour his wife and help someone else in the future.
Go Dave….
Life’s full of ups and downs, joy and happiness and I’m sure most of us have suffered heartache and a feeling of injustice.
In times like this, and I’ve known of Bedders’ (Dave) pain for sometime now,….. it’s time to be heard.
Julie was just a fabulous lady, someone who lived for her family, nearest and dearest and it was mine and Lilian’s pleasure to have known her… and met her.
It was through this blog that this friendship formed and likewise with many others I’m grateful to Thomas and Ben for its creation.
Furthermore this post just further endorses what a family we have all become…… Thanks both.
I’ll stand alongside Dave and in memory of Julie forever…..
Let’s do what we can to beat this terrible disease……. and let’s support Dave ….
Thanks all.
Dave big balls is going to be , Bedders little balls on Christmas day, enjoy your swim.
Jude will only be in the next room, and say what the hell you doing Dave.
Never above you, never below you, always with you Bedders, The Wolf’s Creed. Xxx
Not met Bedderrs, yet or many fellow Bloggers. But agree with you Clive.
Good luck with the swim and I hope via this blog, we show our support and you smash your target.
All the best Bedford.
It’s at times like this when you feel you have to do something and Dave is immersing himself in the icy North Sea in the middle of winter.
Makes me sitting in my warm kitchen and putting my hand in my pocket seem such a simple thing to do.
Good man Dave.
Living in Suffolk, I go to my favourite resort, Southwold, quite often, taking my grandchildren when able. They also brew the only beer that measures up to my Banks’s, only my opinion, Adnams.
Christmas Day is going to be unique to us all, I suspect, but I shall be thinking of you at that time and, if the family situation allows, I may even be over to observe the occasion.
Likewise I have not met any Bloggers, although Tom is my cousin’s son. Most of the characters on this Blog are strong and long lasting lovers of all things, Wolves and football and many make a deep impression with their views and outlook, Bedford being one of them.
Enjoy Southwold, it’s an acquired taste, with the dock area being a particular delight.
Macmillan Nurses are a superb charity and deserve backing.
So are you a Baugh ?
No, the connection is the Holland side or part of the family Tom’s Great grandfather was my Grandfather. His Dad is my cousin.
Maybe not the correct forum, but as poignant. Some of you know Rob aka Dorset Wolf and his partner Jill. I spoke to Jill tonight and Rob has suffered a heart attack and is poorly. My thoughts go out to Rob for a swift recovery. Thought some of you guys, who know Rob, would like to wish him well.
Absolutely Marnhull. Met Rob and his lady at a Blog Christmas get together and chatted to them for much of the evening. Lovely couple and I can only wish them all the best and a swift return to good health for Rob.
Sorry to hear this Marnhull….
They’re both lovely people so please pass on our best wishes to Rob….. thanks. (The Twixes)
Fingers crossed for a swift recovery Rob.
Best wishes
For a reason I keep private I always make a donation to Macmillan around this time of year. Today it will be through Bedford Wolfs Just Giving page.
Best Wishes
Westy
Sad news mate.
Sue and I have met Rob and Jill at APV Hotel many times.
A lovely couple. Please pass on our best wishes and love.
This is a blog for like minded Wolves fans, the great majority on here that Iv’e met are good, kind people who love football and enjoy the company of you guys and girls. The one thing that stands out is that the age of most of our bloggers tends to be in the upper bracket. With that comes maturity, compassion and a sense of loyalty towards each other.
I want to add my best wishes to Dorset and his family, hoping for a full and speedy recovery for him and put my trust in our marvellous NHS keeping him safe and well.
Bedders, I will be proud to honour your lovely wife with a donation.
Sue and I met her many times at various Bloggers’ get togethers and always thought you were punching way above your weight.
Her, and your, suffering must have been horrible. Cancer is an awful curse and more people are experiencing the suffering that it brings.
Regulars on this blog know of my story and I am one of the very lucky ones.
I am eternally grateful to the MacMillan nurses and when I recovered, volunteered as a buddy at the RUH in Bath to try to help fellow sufferers.
Enjoy your swim mate. I hope you will be wearing more than just your Wolves’ shirt, but given the likely water temperature, nobody will notice either way.
Bedders,
So sorry to hear about your sad loss.
MacMillan Nurses is a wonderful cause that does so much to help people in their hour of need.
Good luck on Christmas Day mate – you’ll need it if you are only wearing budgie smugglers and your Wolves shirt.
Stay strong.
Bedders,,,my heart goes out to you my friend. I’m still trying to come to terms with the loss of my beautiful Diane, who died just four months after battling bravely through our last Bloggers ball,
I know full well how tough this Christmas will be for you and your family and I’m in awe of the decision to risk hypothermia in your fund raising swim,
Don’t have the right words for your loss….will send funds to McMillan
Dave. Donating was an honour and a privilege. If I could I would come down to support your venture on Christmas day. But I will enjoy the post event photos of which I am confident there will be many.
Stay strong my friend.