Wednesday £1.149 collected so far

I broke my final fast last night with a burger with my children as my wife is unwell. They don't like to be mentioned in my political work as they don't want to be involved in my shenanigans but they have been a great source of help and support to me and got me through 8 days of fasting.

I got up at 7.00am with no break in my sleep (did I love that!)Had breakfast in a hurry, no reflecting on food and me time, just to minutes of cereal and juice rammed down my throat as quick as possible then out with indigestion.

I ate cake, sweets, drank tea, no water, ate my lunch at 1.00pm, again too quickly in a rush with no thoughts of where it came from and who contributed to making my food. No reflection about how lucky I am to be able to work , walk, run, telephone my loved ones and moan at my work colleagues, friends. Right back to normal at my best, worst.

The thing I really miss about sponsored Ramadan fasting is the community spirit around food and the sense of purpose surrounding the moment of eating and fasting. One of the good side effects of praying, I have been told is that you become aware of what you have got and not thinking about what you haven't got. This obviously can be done without praying and many non believers do this on a daily basis. But I will not criticise those who do decide to believe and pray as I witnessed so much positiveness and community spirit when I met Muslims fasting.

The main reason for fasting is to get money for the victims of the floods and I am really proud to have collected £1.149 so far with more to come. My lasting memories is of colleagues, friends and associates coming up to me and literally throwing tenners and fivers at me. A work colleague and friend pledged 50 pounds. When I said I was £20 short of a thousand pounds he took out his wallet and gave me a further £20 which took me to the £1.000 mark. I was so moved and touched by his generosity, I was practically in tears. The generosity and great giving of people is really a humbling experience I will never forget. I thoroughly recommend charity giving and doing sponsored events as it helps other people, but it also gives you a sense of fulfillment, especially if your life seems empty at this moment.

Thank you to all of you who have given so much money , I am so grateful we can help victims of the floods and touched by your generosity. Good luck to those who are still fasting, I envy your mental strength.