Nikki pictured with the late Ross Nugent’s parent’s Don and Sandra after winning the Crowd’s Choice award in Swords.
I WOULD like to start off by saying a huge thank you to all my friends and family who travelled down to Dublin to support me at The Ross Factor.
This took place in Hogs and Heifers pub in Swords last week. The event was in aid of The Ross Nugent Foundation, which also raises awareness of Ewing’s Sarcoma. I am absolutely delighted to say that I won Crowd’s Choice.
I couldn’t believe it when they called out my name. It was a strange sensation and I wasn’t quite sure how to react. I felt so proud as I had struggled with nerves all week. The song I sang was a cover of Bastille’s “Pompeii”. I was asked by the organisers to provide a backing track but I didn’t have a clue where to even begin with that. I spoke with Donegal News journalist, Sean Feeny, who put me in touch with musicians Mark Black and Lisa Montgomery.
Mark and Lisa kindly agreed to make a track for me. We all met up in Mark’s recording studio and I had the privilege of being present when Lisa played the piano. She was amazing.
It is lovely to watch someone do what they do best. I tried to follow Mark while he was in his element but there were too many buttons. I have heard him play music in the past also and I felt honoured to have such a talented man help me out. I would like to say a huge thank you to them both for their time and effort.
When the day itself arrived, I felt physically sick. However, I remember reaching the second last line of my song and thinking, I did it! It really made me think about how much I let nerves stop me from doing what I want to do. I feel this is a turning point for me.
I know I can take this new found confidence forward with me and apply it to my goal of becoming a motivational speaker. It is quite liberating to finally be free of that nervousness. My prize included a half day recording session in a studio in Dublin. Due to the overwhelming support Ross’s parents, Don and Sandra have shown me, I have decided to use my prize to record a charity CD with all proceeds going back to the Ross Nugent Foundation. The CD will have four songs so I better get my thinking cap on.
I was toying with the idea of recording a 90’s mish mash of songs simply because 90’s music is great! We shall see though. Song suggestions are more than welcome, so I’m encouraging you all to have a think about this too. I also received a gold star plaque for being a finalist.
I have placed this in front of my desk where it will stay. It will serve as a reminder that anything is possible once you want it enough.
Nikki pictured with her coaches Michael Black and Aoife McGill (Optimal Fitness), Donegal GAA Stars Karl Lacey and Michael Murphy and Everest Summiteer, Jason Black, promoting Darkness Into Light.
Darkness Into Light Donegal
This Saturday the 10th of May at 4.15am our 5k will finally take place. I am so excited about this. I cannot wait to see hundreds of people all walk together in the dark. I imagine it is going to be a surreal experience but that is what makes it so special. I am on the committee for this and have learned a lot throughout the experience.
The generosity and kind spirit that is found in Donegal continues to blow me away. I am so proud to call Donegal my home. If you would like to register you can do so online at dil.pieta.ie. You can also sign up on the morning of the walk.
I urge you all to come out to support this truly unique event. With the funds raised, Pieta House hope to eventually open a centre in Donegal.
On Wednesday evening we all gathered together in the town park and had an aerial photograph taken. It was a cold, dull evening but the sense of community spirit was evident everywhere you looked. The Photo was taken, free of charge, by Prionsias Carr who used a drone like object to capture the photo. It was very “Back To The Future” I loved it.
The event was organised by Blue Ribbon director, Brighdin Carr who also offered her services free of charge. I would like to thank them for their help. Brighdin has been amazing and kept us all motivated as we lay in the park in the rain.
Spirits were high and a lot of laughs were had. See you all bright and early on Saturday. No excuses now, If I can walk 5k on crutches, then you can do it, too!
Nikki Bradley is the founder of Fighting Fit For Ewing’s, a campaign to promote awareness of Ewing’s Sarcoma. Nikki is sponsored by All Sports in Donegal Town. Support her campaign by giving ‘Fighting Fit For Ewing’s’ a LIKE on Facebook or follow her on Twitter @nikkibradley59
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