Matts Golf Challenge was a great success and a great day was had by all.

Thankfully, the weather was kind to us, unlike last year, although the standard of golf of certain players left much to be desired (naming no names, Chris & Michael King, Paul Raitt, Pete Bierniss...)

The Texas scramble kicked off at 3:00pm, with a full compliment of golfers taking up the challenge, and was eventually won by .. after a close contest.

The champagne hole was judged by myself, Glenda, and Paula. We deserved danger money for taking our lifes in our hands especially as the ball landed within 2 metres of me on one occasion!!

The auction and raffle had some great prizes generously donated by all those mentioned on here , the highlight being a brand new Limited Edition Callaway Golf Bag which was won by 'Dave the Kitchen Fitter'.

A massive thanks must go to all those who helped organise the event.

two dates for the diaries

2nd June 2006, Matts Golf Challenge @ American Golf, Melbourne nr Royston. Entry forms available from Chris King mobile 07715052616
its a fun 9 hole texas scramble, sponsorship opertunities available for company or private entries.



3rd June Construction Industry Rugby match @ Old Abbottstonians RFC ground, Hayes, Middsex.
Dixie on mobile 07976760109 is looking for a couple of players and a large number of spectators.
Full details on the front page of the web site.

Any support for either event will be very welcome

Hi,

Yesterday I recieved a letter offering me a place at the university of hertfordshire to study law next year ( starting from september ). I need to get two C's in my A levels which I think is pretty achievable!

Other big news is that I have been accepted to 'run' in the Great North Run in october this year. I have never done anything like this before, even before my accident so I am really looking forward to it.

I got back from Sweden at the beginning of february. I had an excellent time skiing and spent about 5 hours each day on the slopes. Although tiring, I had an amazing experience and met lots of great people, so I want to thank everyone who made it possible. The making of the DVD with all the skiing footage has proved problematic, but we are nearly there!

Hi!

Sorry for the delay but we have been sorting through the pictures and footage from my ski trip to Sweden.

Hopefully the pictures are now ready to be put onto the website, and we are currently working on editing the video.

Matt returned home on Sunday night after a delayed flight from Oslo into Heathrow. He had a very challenging schedule, which involved a considerable number of hi speed runs down the black slopes. For the non-skiers amongst us, that is a near vertical face of solid ice, not for the feint hearted.

Enjoyed himself so much he is booking up for next year. The pictures & vidoe footage will be posted on the web site.

Thank you to everyone who made the trip possible.

The day is getting closer, before Matt goes downhill.

The ski trip has been organised by The Back Up Trust www.backuptrust.org.uk This charity conducted a formal examination last summer at Bracknell Ski slope to determine Matt?s suitability to join the ski squad. From his acceptance into the party, he has been hitting the shops, getting the gear to ensure he looks good on the piste.

Due to the determination & goodwill demonstrated by The Friends, staff & pupils of Stratton School, that Matt has been able undertake this experience. The money raised at the auction of promises has put Matt & his care team on the snow in Sweden.

The ski party flies from Heathrow Airport on Sunday 29th January, into Stockholm then a two-hour bus journey to Are. This ski resort is one of Sweden?s leading alpine centres & home of the disabled Ski school were the tour will undertake a range of living & sporting skills.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in getting Matt to Sweden. Matt will be keeping in contact via the web site (we hope) to if you want to leave a message, do it on the message board.

Alistair ?Dixie? McNeill, Old Abbottstonians Rugby Club and the Matt King ?Goforit? fund raising team, invite you to participate in the 2006 Construction Industry Charity Rugby Match.

This year?s match will take place again at the Old Abbottstonians Rugby club ground in Hayes, Middlesex on Saturday 3rd June 2006.

The match will be followed by charity auction of sporting memorabilia, BBQ & live bands into the night.

Match players and donations suitable for the auction are invited to
contact Dixie on mobile 07976760109 for more information

Dear friends

We would like to thank everyone who has supported us during Matts first year home.

Together during this time, we have managed to achieve certain ambitions including,
a family holiday in Somerset, overnight stays in Cardiff & Leeds,
visits to friends in Halifax, a day trip to France.
We have watched a lot of rugby; Matt has been down the dry ski slope, in preparation for Sweden in Jan 06.

These simple experiences would not have been possible without your support.

It is an impossible task to name individuals,
you are all in our thoughts and we would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy christmas and new year .

The highly awaited Hot Shot Calender is here!! For only ?5 you can buy yourself a great treat for yourself or for others. It consists of the Stratton sixth form girlies in a number of different outfits , senarios and poses!! All the profit is of couse going to Matt so buy yours now before it's to late!!


Contact Stratton Upper School to obtain yours!!

Old Albanians Rugby Club

I am writing on behalf of Matt to thank everyone involved with Old Albanian Rugby Club for the amazing donation received by his trustees. We have been overwhelmed by the support from the club.

Matt has a very full life, combining his ?A? level studies together with an increasingly busy social life. Finding the time at weekends to watch various levels of rugby, from England v All Blacks, Northampton, Biggleswade and the Bedford Blues.

Last weekend he travelled to Leeds to watch the Rugby League Tri Nations final, and stayed with his care team over night in a hotel. Reports of binge drinking have been slightly exaggerated, however reports have confirmed a young man was seen under the influence late that night.

Matt continues to discover different ways of expressing himself, he is travelling to Sweden in January 2006 to go skiing, and has also attended an interview at University of Hertfordshire in St Albans with a view to studying Law.

Matt is looking forward to meeting the OA's in the new year.

Best Wishes

Matt

Matt's definatly now going downhill


The Matt King Auction of promises, organised by the Friends Of Stratton School on Saturday night was an overwhelming success. The Friends, working very closely with Miss Harper & the Stratton 6th Form displayed a slick & professional approach to the evenings entertainment which reflects great credit on everyone involved.

The top quality range of auction prizes and promises was equalled only by the calibre of the audience. Geoff? ?ive never done anything like this before? Downing, was the nights auctioneer and his super smooth style had everyone in stitches, and the audience, petrified and unable to scratch any part of their anatomy above waist height without incurring a bid.

The Matt ?o? Meter, kept a visible reminder the ever-increasing total as the night drew on, every item under the hammer raised generous applause, as bidding became quite fierce on a considerable number of items. The sealed bits and telephone bidding raised the tension a notch higher, with a gentleman from Stockport loosing out on the Welsh Legends shirt to a very keen Welsh rugby fan.

During the interval, Seun Osibowale and Tim Dawes from the cast of Stratton Schools Jesus Christ Superstar Concert kept the audience entertained with a couple songs, which received a great reaction.

Highlight of the evening was the Manchester v Fulham football package that finally went for an amazing ?800, together with the Arsenal pennant raised another ?350

These two items alone pushed the final total to over ?8000.

This money will enable Matt to go skiing to Sweden, and leave enough money for the weeks evening apr?s ski, which I understand is very expensive after a long day on the slopes.

We would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the evening?s success; we can?t name individuals because the list would take an awful lot of space, but everyone left Stratton School with a real sense of achievement of putting Matt on the slopes.

Stratton School Auction of Promises & Goods
Saturday 19th November 2005

7.30 prompt auction begins with an amazing and long list of goodies, experiences and interesting items

Tickets are still available on the night

Alcoholic drinks available

Updated: 11/11/05

Stratton School Parent Teachers Association have organised an auction of promises & gifts to take place on Saturday 19th November 2005 at 7 pm for 7.30.

All funds raised are being used to enable Matt to go on his skiing trip to Sweden in January.

You can bid for any item by writing a cheque made payable to the Matt King fund. seal it in an envelope clearly marked with the name of the item you wish to bid for and your contact telephone number and address. If you are unsuccessful in securing the item at the auction your cheque will be returned to you. Please send your sealed envelope to Mr and Mrs G Downing 156 London Road, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 8EH

Click here for the full list of items to be auctioned

hi
Matt has been accepted on the ski trip in January 2006 to Sweden. Other than snow is white, cold and screws up the british rail system we have no experiance of this sport. Can anyone recomend the best clothing to purchase or any good books to do research.
cheers

Been a busy couple of weeks, we finally took delivery of Matt's new vehicle. Its a metallic grey Volkswagon 'Caravelle' with special modifications. Most importantly it has a 6 disc autochanger cd player, with 6 speakers.

On Sunday 25th, Matt attended an appraisal in Bracknell with the 'Backup' charity. They wanted to find out if Matt could or would be interested in skiing! After the usual form filling, Matt was lifted into the snowmobile, strapped in with his ventilator on his knees, loads of 'gaffa' tape and then towed on the chair hoist to the top of the slope.

The 'i'm ok' grin turned into a major smile as they went up and down the slope, going faster, then into the plastic road cone slalom course. The instructor refused to go over the jump requested by Matt, finshing with a very high speed trip with the instructor nearly falling of the back.

Matt had a great time, now looks forward to the possibility of a ski course in Finland in January 2006.
Thanks to Andy for the pictures, and to all involved from Backup.