NewsletterNewsletter No. No.23 15 Winter 2019/2020 Good Morning, Brian-before Brian-after I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell Let me make one thing clear, I don’t want sympathy – but the reason this Newsletter has hit your doormat a week or so later than we intended is that I did just what Elvis sang about – I slipped on a diesel slick (whilst running in rain across a crowded car park), I stumbled, (desperately trying to retain balance) and I fell (but not in any way acrobatically or gracefully) onto hard (oh, how hard!) tarmac. The whole thing must have looked like something from a Whacky Races Cartoon as I took off with feet heading one It was something of a tradition that each Christ- way and my body the other and even tho’ in my mas Elvis would make donations to a whole host of head it seemed like slow motion as I tried to twist local Memphis charities, usually done in the office in mid-air to land cat-like on all fours, that was not of the local newspapers – the Memphis Scimitar/ how it turned out. What did happen was that I hit Commercial Appeal – initially totalling $50,000 but the ground with a resounding thud (and a sicken- by the mid 60’s this had risen to over $100,000 (and ing crack – as ribs bent and broke) and I ended up that’s the equivalent of around $750,000 today!) with in A&E. To anyone who has ever cracked or bro- usually the largest donation reserved for the St Jude’s ken ribs you alone will know how much it hurts…I Children’s Hospital – an establishment specialising in could never have imagined such pain. Call me a the research and treatment of child cancers. wuss (which I undoubtedly am!) if you like but then ask why I don’t want any sympathy? Simply because I’m both pleased and proud that Elvis fans have con- there are so many people worse off than me. My pain tinued in Elvis’ caring spirit – a great example being will go. I may need to go a bit easy on the Christmas the combined amount collected by the various good festivities but by the New Year I’ll be fine. A lot of causes during the Elvis Festival at Great Yarmouth people won’t be and that brings me nicely on to the in September exceeding £4500. This was raised by a real subject. Charities supporting those in real need. combination of selling cards, a raffle, an Auction, by purchasing copies of the Rev. Derek’s special letter/ Elvis was a ‘giver’ – he supported countless charities, prayer, by sponsoring Brian Elvis Rowe in having all and not just by giving them money, but by giving his hair shaved off (well done him) and by donations them his time and his talent – appearing in benefit from so many people. A big thanks to all those who concerts to raise funds for them, and letting them use gave and also to everyone involved in organising all his name and image in asking others to also give. I aspects of the fund-raising. You are all following don’t think we will ever know the true extent of Elvis’ in Elvis footsteps. Talking of footsteps….yes, it still philanthropy as he gave so much anonymously – hurts! even to the point that he didn’t even write them off as tax deductions – something that he was quite entitled Here’s wishing you a great Christmas, a marvellous to do. And whilst concerts such as Aloha from Ha- New Year and a happyT and healthy 2020 – from all of waii in January 1973 benefitted the Kui Lee Cancer us at Strictly ElvisC UKheers and for the now Elvis Travel Service. Fund by $75,000 or the May 1975 Jackson, Mississip- B pi Concert benefitted the victims of the devastating T tornado there to the tune of $100,000, this was in Cheers for now B addition to the personal gifts that Elvis made. David J. Wade S trictlyE lv is UK 1 David J. Wade 1 ELVISELVIS SPRING SPRING BREAK BREAK IN IN ELVIS 43RD ANNIVERSARY ELVIS SPRING BREAK IN ELVIS SPRING BREAK IN ELVISELVIS 43RD 43RD ANNIVERSARY ANNIVERSARY ELVIS 43RD ANNIVERSARY DIARYDIARYDIARY BOURNEMOUTHBOURNEMOUTH TOUR TO THE USA DIARYDIARY BOURNEMOUTH DIARYDIARY BOURNEMOUTH TOURTOUR TO TO THE THE USA USA TOUR TO THE USA 22nd22nd – 25th/26th – 25th/26th May May 2020 2020 9th 9th – 23rd – 23rd August August 2020 2020 22nd – 25th/26th May 2020 9th – 23rd August 2020 BrochureBrochure22nd – enclosed.25th/26th enclosed. A May choiceA choice 2020 A fabulousA 9th fabulous – 23rd USA USAAugust Experience Experience 2020 Brochure enclosed. 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