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May 02 The WarrenI have posted some pictures of our morning at the Warren.
This is a place along the Wye river that has been very special for Cathy's family and has become special to us.
Tom has spent time there. Paddling his toes and lazing around. It felt like the right place to let his ashes go. It is a place that we enjoy visiting and that we will want to return to again and again.
As you see we were to true gypsies and roasted our sausages and bacon over the driftwood fire. Obviously Ed rubbed 2 sticks together to make the flames...
It was handy that an RAF flypast went over just as we let Tom's ashes go. Very appropriate!
Lynn had carefully kept a star balloon from on top of Tom's spaceship - the river caught the ribbon, pulled it down and it floated away - on the surface!
What is quite exciting is the possibility that the Warren Club will make the gate accessible for wheelchair users. The idea currently is to add a new gate with a RADAR key, in Tom's name. This would be a fantastic a highly fitting physical memorial to Tom and we will let you know how it goes.
Go visit, take a picnic and we will see you there!
Gav
A Message for TomAN EMAIL FOR TOM
Although you have gone from us now, we will always remember you and love you. Tom last year when I was very ill and in hospital your mum and dad sent me a get well soon card with a big picture of you and Libby on the front. The nurse's hung it up in front of me at the foot of my bed telling me to hurry up and get better so I could come up to Liverpool to see you. Soon every morning I would look up to the card and this helped me to hurry up and get better. I still to this day think that this was one of the main reasons that I got wwell as fast as I did. THANK YOU TOM Grandad Roy and Nanny Val (If you would like to add any words that we did not have time to share at the celebration - email us and we can add them onto this entry - gavcross@hotmail.com) April 08 Tom's celebration - The Palm House - Sefton ParkOf course, the only way that the day could have been any better is if Tom had been there to enjoy it. We know that he really would have enjoyed it.
Thank you if you were able to come. It overwhelmed us that so many people wanted to share the time with us.
The day was about remembering Tom and saying thank you to people but is was also a time to be together in a lovely place.
So many people helped us to get to that point :
Elaine & Jim, John & Sally, Kathy and all the crew at LIPA, Ben W, Ben & Laura, Lucy & Nick, Karina, Laura & the team at the Palm House, you were fantastic, all the grandparents, Matt & Helen - ALL OF YOU!
It was particularly lovely to have Tom's mates from school there. They made it for us. Thank you to everybody that got them there.
As we said, we will be saying good bye to Tom everyday. But we hope we are ok enough to be as open and inviting as we can.
Please come see us soon, the invite around was an open one for everybody, just don't all come at once!
As you can see we have put up pictures from the day, if you have any we would love to see them.
Below is a link to the videos we showed on the day and one we did not have time for.
There is also a set of photos of Tom's spaceship, before we took it to the funeral home for use.
Take care and very best wishes.
Gav, Cathy & Libby
March 31 Tom Cross – a Celebration of our son’s life
Tom Cross – a Celebration of our son’s life
Tom died on Wednesday the 29th of March 2006
We miss him and love him. We want you to join us in celebrating and sharing memories of Tom.
Thursday the 6th of April – The Palm House, Sefton Park, Liverpool
4pm – We will be there to welcome you and to chat and to have a drink.
5pm – A celebration time of words, music, stories, laughs and a tear or two.
After this we have the Palm House until 7pm and you are welcome to stay and enjoy the time and place. It is our hope that you will join us there, to talk about Tom, to share, maybe feel sad but definitely feel glad to have come together. We want people to feel they can contribute, if you want to, with maybe a few words, a poem, a song or even something about Tom that will make us all laugh. We know that so many people knew and loved Tom and we know that so many people helped and gave without meeting Tom. This day is for ALL of Tom’s friends and everybody is welcome. Please pass this on to the people that you know who we have not reached and let them know we want to meet them. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be there, and a pay bar too! But if you want to bring a bottle to share with friends, there will be glasses for you to use! (There isn’t going to be any food, so bring a bag of crisps in your handbag!) We are having the smallest of funerals earlier on the same day just for us. We would ask you not to wear black. (Tom loved the colours yellow and blue!) We hope that the time will be very child friendly, everybody can come. We would also ask that no flowers be sent. If you would like to make a donation, in Tom’s name, please contact: Ronald McDonald House, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Eaton Road, Liverpool L12 2AP Tel 0151 252 5866 Fax: 0151 252 5868 (You may remember that Tom still owes them 15 months rent!) This is the website for the venue, and it has a map. We have fuller directions, if you email us we can send them to you.
Tell all his friends!
Please do come and feel welcome.
Much love,
Gav, Cathy & Libby
Pleasa note that the email for Ronald Macdonald House was wrong in the email and correct here. March 29 TomTom died today
We loved him
He loved us back double
Tell his friends
We will be able to talk to people soon
But not today
Love
Gav, Cathy, Libby & Tom
xxxx March 18 Tom's Day Video - Large File! We recently had a Family Service Plan meeting, facilitated by our keyworker - and we hope friend! - Colette.
This was a method of getting a number of professionals together that work for Tom and getting a plan of action going - for the next few months at least.
This is a short video that we made as an example of one of Tom's Days.
It is a large file and will take a couple of minutes to load on broadband.
Cheers
Gav
March 14 Tom Cross Ltd - Maybe we are getting there!Not that we have embraced or tried to use this site as a proper blog - but one of the intentions was to map the development of the 'Tom Trust'.
But things around that have been moving so slowly...
Desperately slowly...
One of the stumbling blocks was that before we ask the carers to consider working for us, their terms conditions and benefits would be protected by Alder Hey, in partnership with us and the PCT.
We suggested, in October we think, a secondment for the carers - they get to come to the trust but are protected by the option to return. The answer given by the HR experts in Alder Hey was a resolute no.
This created a huge barrier - as the chance to move forward with Direct Payments (too complicated to talk about!) also seems like a huge no no - we were starting to be swamped.
But all systems could be go, in a meeting today - one that we couldn't sleep before - the question was asked - why are we not considering secondment? - and secondment is now back on the agenda.
We are so relived to be moving forward but frustrated that it takes this long to resolve every single issue.
But once again - watch this space - if interested - Tom Cross Ltd is creeping closer...
Gav February 13 Tom's Birthday and other bits - a short update
Hello!
It has been some time since we added an update, so I thought we had better do that!
Well of course since the last message we have had Christmas – Tom’s 6th birthday and some of our usual Cross family ‘adventures’
One big change has been that through the amazing support, channelled through the lovely Helen – (Makes her sound like a medium!) – I – (Gav) – (Too many brackets already!!!) – Am now working part time. As much as I have loved the privilege of working in Salford with the Early Support Programme, I am returning to the heady excitement of supply teaching, from April. This will give us more flexibility and more time with Tom. ‘Gissa Job!’
The Tom Trust business inches closer to a possibility – inches…
Tom was quite poorly all through his birthday and though he seems much better now, we know each time he does get that poorly, it takes its toll. Thank you for his cards and gifts.
We are currently planning our next Cross adventure, this time it involves barges! Watch this space!
http://www.lyneal-trust.org.uk/
We would love to hear from you – we know that people check this site every now and then – coz the number goes up!
Best wishes.
The 4 Crosses xxxx December 22 Tenby Too!
The Harriet Davis Trust gave us a second chance to go back to the Wheelabout this year.
We had a fantastic time - which we hope you can see from the pics!
Some highlights for me... mmm...
Now those are too food focused - try again -
Missed any other high lights? Email me and I will add them
Gav x
December 15 "The Great Big Christmas Star Wars Bring and Buy Shindig for Tom".From Helen:
As some of you are aware, the Tom fund has launched again to raise money for the Cross family. If you want to know more and haven't had an email from me, then please leave a message and I'll get in touch. Last Sunday North Merseyside swung into action with "The Great Big Christmas Star Wars Bring and Buy Shindig for Tom". Around 40 assorted kids, parents, cats and storm troopers mingled and sold bric-a-brac and books and CDs, cakes, coffee and stuff (lots of stuff). A lucky few got to meet Darth Maul to receive some gold sprinkled words of Maulish wisdom and have photos taken. Some also met Santa. Later, Santa and Darth had a spectacular light sabre show-down. Santa's red eyes in many subsequent photos indicate that he may now have found the Dark Side. Best leave out plenty of sherry on Christmas Eve just in case... Tom and Libby met Darth. Tom felt the Force through Darth's vibrating force feeler, and , as you can see, Libby is telling Darth what she thinks of his wisdom! A great day. Lots of stuff left. (Anyone want a genuinie Russian samivar?) And we raised $400 and a cheque for $300 was donated. (Pounds not dollars but I've lost my pound sign!). The Tom Fund is well and truly launched.
From Us:
It amazed, astounded and humbled us when Tom was tiny that our friends, family & an army of people we have yet to meet came together and achieved so much for us.
Now that we are some years down the line and now that Toms needs and our needs as a family are changing again, we are astoundedby the fact that once again we are being given so much support and love.
The word thanks never sounds like enough.
We want to know how it went - and see too! - leave a comment for us to read or email us a picture and we can put it on here to share.
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Cathy, Gav, Libby & Tom
xxxx December 01 The Tom Trust Begins!The 1st of December 2005...
Five brave and noble people have volunteered to join us on this journey.
We salute them:
Helen Newall
Andy Kenyon
Justine Karpusheff
Phil Symes
& Matthew Baker - (though he doesn't really know it yet!)
What are we going to do?
With the help of our Primary Care Trust - Primarily Julie Hackett & Valerie Shanks-Pepper - We are hoping to take over the management & delivery of Tom's Care Package through Direct Payments.
We hope...
Watch this space!
Gav & Cathy
October 23 Tom and the MoviesOf course much of the early work of Tom Cross evoked the heady style of Bunuel and Dali and though turned down for funding by the Animation Board of Canada, the two most evocative pieces of work - Tom in Space & Tom & the Dragon, effectively bridged the gap of a wet Sunday, half term afternoon.
Both of these films are exclusively available as an email, by request only!
October 09 After 2 years!A holiday!
We have just got back from our fantastic break in the annexe of Finca Anna - 5km up a fantastic track up the side of a mountain - next to Lake Vinuela - Andalucia. Check the pics!
Now we are not on commision but we have go to say - GO! - peace, quiet in abundance. Very relaxing!
Gav & Cathy
August 18 A new websiteHello there,
This is the new dumping ground for all things Cross!
As always, there is never any reason for you to be here - but if you are here and reading this then - well - hello!
I up loaded the Disney pictures first - if that is what you want to see - you might need to scroll down the picture folder list.
Cheers
Gav
x
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