#heartsandmindsuk

[heartsandminds4flora]

[michellelindalindsey]

🎄🏃‍♀️ This December, I will be running the Honolulu Marathon - in support of Hearts & Minds UK - and in memory of my mom.

I used to live on Oahu, and had been looking forward to the trip to the islands, to visit friends and to run the marathon on the streets of my beloved Honolulu, which still feels like my hometown.

I have battled Crohn's Disease for many years, and have been blessed to still run and complete countless races...half marathons, 10k's, 5k's, 12k's, 10 milers, 5 milers, and the ultra race - the Pikes Peak Ascent. I have even, shockingly, won my division several times. I have learned how to fight through the Crohn's and run and compete anyway.

This past year has been different though, as I have developed a heart condition, and it has made running and training difficult, and often dangerous.

For the past month, I have had recurring issues with my heart condition that have increased in severity. My cardiologist feels that running the 26.2 mile marathon, in one take, would be more than my heart condition would withstand right now. That being the case, I have had to scrap the plan to run the marathon on the event date on Oahu and switch my race registration to the marathon's virtual option. I will now be running the 26.2 mile marathon here, in Charleston, in December, but in increments. Based on how my heart is holding up, I will either run two 13.1 mile half marathons or two 10 mile runs along with a 6.2 mile 10k. Both options equal the marathon's 26.2 miles. The race committee has approved my plan and granted me a medical race waiver. I will be wearing a GPS device while running, which will record my mileage and my time, and transmit it to the Honolulu Marathon race committee, which will verify it and subsequently send me the finishers medal and certificate.

Disappointed that it must be this way but grateful and blessed to still be able to run!

And I am happy and blessed to be able to use this opportunity to raise funds, awareness and support for a very special charity - Hearts & Minds UK. The amazing, uplifting work that they do, through their Elderflower program - bringing joy and light to those suffering from dementia - is truly remarkable. They make a tremendous difference in so many lives. Hope and joy are precious commodities and they all work so hard to bring these gifts to souls in need.

My beloved mom suffered and died, a few years ago, from Alzheimer's Disease. I see her face and her heart in every precious soul helped by Hearts & Minds. My mom loved Christmas and she was always my biggest cheerleader in my running and my racing in the past. And so, this Christmas, I will run - and also seek to raise funds, awareness and support for Hearts & Minds - in loving memory of my mom.

Thank you for your support.

You can visit this site to learn more about Hearts & Minds UK and their work bringing joy and hope to those dealing with dementia. I hope you will also make a donation to support and uplift their important work: https://www.heartsminds.org.uk/

*I will add an update to this post later in December, after the marathon has been completed, including a photo of the GPS mileage tally. 😊

Second photo is of my mom and me, in Honolulu, in 1998. I was 17. She was my best friend.❤️

[heartsandminds4flora]

LAST CALL

Would you like a video message from Mr Carson - or one of 16 other Downton Abbey cast members? This is the LAST CALL for donations as the drawing is tomorrow!

Get your £5 in now!

Link: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charity-web/charity/displayCharityCampaignPage.action?charityCampaignUrl=elderflowerchristmas

[heartsandminds4flora]

Some poetry for you - and a reminder to enter as many times as you wish! 5£ per entry, and all for our favorite cause. Be a Merry Elderflower Buddy and click today!

https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charity-web/charity/displayCharityCampaignPage.action?charityCampaignUrl=elderflowerchristmas

[heartsandminds4flora]

Happy Giving Tuesday!! Help us help our favorite charity and maybe get a message from one of the Carsons!

[michellelindalindsey]

World Alzheimer's Day

In recognition of World Alzheimer's Day (21 Sept), I want to shine a light on a special charity in Edinburgh, Scotland - Hearts & Minds - and the extraordinary work they do, through their Elderflower program, helping those with dementia.

My dear mother suffered through Alzheimer's Disease, while I was her carer. Where we lived, there was no program like Hearts & Minds to be a blessing and light for my mom. I wish there had been.

Hope and joy are emotions so vital, yet often so fleeting for those with dementia and their carers and loved ones. Someone coming alongside, shining a light of hope, and sharing joy, is a blessing and moment of sustenance that can birth a smile, lift the spirit, and bring comfort and encouragement to the heart. Such is the amazing and uplifting work of Hearts & Minds and the joy and smiles brought by their Elderflowers into so many hearts and lives. 

I am grateful for, and inspired by, the amazing work of Hearts & Minds and all they do to bring joy and light to so many. 

❤️☀️❤️

Please donate to Hearts & Minds UK and help them make a difference in countless hearts and lives:

www.heartsminds.org.uk

🔴😊🔴

(Photo borrowed from Hearts & Minds UK and copyright belongs to them.) 😊

[michellelindalindsey]

Hope and Joy

Hope and Joy

In recognition of the International Day of Charity (5 September), I want to shine a light on a very special charity in Edinburgh, Scotland - Hearts & Minds.

I first learned about Hearts & Minds through the advocacy of the remarkable and indelibly special Phyllis Logan, who although I have never met her, has had a profound impact on my life. After learning about Hearts & Minds, and the extraordinary work they do through their Elderflower program, helping those with dementia, my heart was so full and I have sought to help and support them in every way possible.

My dear mother suffered through Alzheimer's Disease, while I was her carer. Where we lived, there was no program like Hearts & Minds to be a blessing and light for my mom...and I wish there had been.

Hope and joy are emotions so vital, yet often so fleeting for those with dementia and their carers and loved ones. Someone coming alongside, shining a light of hope, and sharing joy, is a blessing and moment of sustenance that can birth a smile, lift the spirit, and bring comfort and encouragement to the heart. Such is the amazing and uplifting work of Hearts & Minds and the joy and smiles brought by their Elderflowers into so many hearts and lives.

I am grateful for, and inspired by, the amazing work of Hearts & Minds and all that they do to bring joy and light to so many. And I am eternally inspired by Phyllis Logan, whose life, work, advocacy efforts and kindness are a light in this world.

On this day of charity, and always, may we all try and do our bit, shine a light, and pay kindness forward.

Please support the extraordinary, uplifting work of Hearts & Minds and their Elderflower program as they bring hope and joy to countless lives:

www.heartsminds.org.uk

❤️☀️❤️

-- Michelle Lindsey www.michellelindalindsey.com

Thank you to the news outlets and blogs who cross-posted this (and also my accompanying blog on Medium) to their blogs, charity feeds, and social media. Thank you for helping spread the word about this very special and impactful charity. ❤️

[michellelindalindsey]

Just giving this a boost. 😊❤️

Please donate to the @heartsandminds4flora fundraiser - this is the final week to participate in the special raffle and help make a difference! ☀️❤️

Hope and joy. Emotions so vital and often so fleeting when caring for a loved one with Dementia or Alzheimer's. Memories of our years with our loved ones, before these tragic diseases took over their minds and bodies, fall at our feet like shards of broken glass. Temporary moments of hope and joy seem like fragile slivers of light shining through the cracks of broken hearts. But sometimes, someone comes along and carries with them the light, hope and joy to brighten a day, birth a smile, lift the spirit, and bring comfort and encouragement to the heart. Such is the amazing and uplifting work of Hearts and Minds and the joy and smiles brought by the Elderflowers into so many hearts and lives. Spreading light and joy, something seemingly so simple, yet one of the most extraordinary gifts you can give. Spreading light and joy is something that Phyllis Logan does continuously and the smiles that she, and her Flora Elderflower, bring to countless souls are like rays of sunshine. Please donate to this very special event - Hearts and Minds 4 Flora - and support the incredible work of Hearts and Minds, and their Elderflower program, and help them as they spread smiles and make a difference. And may we strive always to be like Phyllis, and all the amazing Elderflowers, and shine our light into all the dark corners and bless and improve lives one smile at a time. Share smiles. Share joy. Share hope. Support Hearts and Minds and participate in the Hearts and Minds 4 Flora raffle and fundraising event!

❤️☀️❤️

https://fundraising.heartsminds.org.uk/fundraising/HM4F2022

#Phyllis Logan #heartsandminds4flora #heartsandmindsuk #dementia #Elderflowers #charity #fundraiser #raffle #Downton Abbey

[michellelindalindsey]

Hope and joy. Emotions so vital and often so fleeting when caring for a loved one with Dementia or Alzheimer's. Memories of our years with our loved ones, before these tragic diseases took over their minds and bodies, fall at our feet like shards of broken glass. Temporary moments of hope and joy seem like fragile slivers of light shining through the cracks of broken hearts. But sometimes, someone comes along and carries with them the light, hope and joy to brighten a day, birth a smile, lift the spirit, and bring comfort and encouragement to the heart. Such is the amazing and uplifting work of Hearts and Minds and the joy and smiles brought by the Elderflowers into so many hearts and lives. Spreading light and joy, something seemingly so simple, yet one of the most extraordinary gifts you can give. Spreading light and joy is something that Phyllis Logan does continuously and the smiles that she, and her Flora Elderflower, bring to countless souls are like rays of sunshine. Please donate to this very special event - Hearts and Minds 4 Flora - and support the incredible work of Hearts and Minds, and their Elderflower program, and help them as they spread smiles and make a difference. And may we strive always to be like Phyllis, and all the amazing Elderflowers, and shine our light into all the dark corners and bless and improve lives one smile at a time. Share smiles. Share joy. Share hope. Support Hearts and Minds and participate in the Hearts and Minds 4 Flora raffle and fundraising event!

❤️☀️❤️

https://fundraising.heartsminds.org.uk/fundraising/HM4F2022

#Phyllis Logan #heartsandminds4flora #heartsandmindsuk #dementia #Elderflowers #charity #fundraiser #raffle #Downton Abbey

[chelsie-carson]

Okay, fans! Here’s your chance to send Phyllis a virtual smile. Record yourself singing the same song (per their request) and send it to Hearts & Minds UK and they’ll send it along to Phyllis. And don’t forget to donate to their wonderful charity, if you can. And, then, send us a screenshot of your donation (bank details and such blacked out, please), so we can enter you into our raffle for fundraiser in honor of Phyllis. 

Please join Flora AND US and support Hearts and Minds. Our official fundraiser raffle kicks off in July, but if you donate between now and then, send us a screenshot of your donation and we’ll credit you when we get going!

Visit heartsminds.org.uk to donate today!

[heartsandminds4flora]

Yes! Please let us know who’s participating!

And ... drumroll ...

We already have our first donation!!! *writes in tally book for July 1 kickoff* thank you so, so much! We’ve been chatting with the folks at Hearts and Minds just this morning and they absolutely love all of the support from Phyllis’s fandom. We couldn’t do this without you! (Current fundraising history just from HM4F is around $4,400, or about £3,800. If you aren’t sure your donation makes a difference, IT DOES!)

Please join Flora AND US and support Hearts and Minds. Our official fundraiser raffle kicks off in July, but if you donate between now and then, send us a screenshot of your donation and we’ll credit you when we get going!

Visit heartsminds.org.uk to donate today!