I've started this fundraiser in aid of helping others who will benefit from the services provided by a charity who are under funded.

My late wife Vanessa was a true "Geordie" and one in a million, she was a keen motorcyclist, activist, singer (oh yes she even professionally recorded 2 songs just for me), she knew cheryl cole before cheryl became famous, she also knew Brian Johnson (ac/dc) as her Father was mates with his father, and also knew various other well known musicians of the 80's era, she was a star in her own right even till the end, anyway she was always one for listening to other peoples problems and giving advice or help she looked after people.

she was admittted to Macmillan early April 2013, when WPH could do no more, and so she made new friends in the unit, and still continued to pamper others, but that was how she was and what made her who she was, even when she was admitted to the Sheffield Macmillan pallative care unit she became Florence Nightingale of unit in the first couple of weeks, mind you she did looked forward to a bit of pampering provided by Cavendish Care herself, now those who had met her or got to know her knew she was a special person and would be touched by her and her personality, she was always one for putting others first before herself, you can look at her profile on Facebook under "Vanessa Johnstone" and that will tell you what sort of person she was.

We Married (finally) on the 17/10/2013 at the Macmillan Pallative Unit, and what a day to remember, along with our close friends, the unit did say could we keep the numbers down for the benefit of other patients, and keep it to close family and friends,, ie 10 maybe, well I thought we were doing well to keep it under 50 ish, and the patients of the unit loved it.. it was a remarkable day, and a huge thanks to the unit for letting us hold such an event..  Of course in return after hearing from one of the nurses regarding christmas, it seems the nurses put there hands in their pockets to pay for christmas in the unit and reclaim later from the NHS, and about £250 was needed, and so the Macmillan christmas fund was born, raising a whooping £467 out of which helped to buy the raffle products and raised a further £293 on the raffle. This is for Macmillan only. Special thanks to Pat, Gail, Amy and Sam and of course all the other staff in the Unit.

Now I have focused on Cavendish for the array of services provided, to all from Patients to Nurses and all involved in between, they did a marvellous job for Vanessa, these guys are recognised by the NHS and are asked by the NHS to provide a service for them, but do not receive anything funding from the NHS, and rely solely on the generosity of the public, the CavCare have had to cut back in these economic times, and like many others I think this is a worthy cause to support, and so this fundraiser was born in memory of our Vanessa to help others.

I think Cavendish along with Macmillan and any other Hospices do a fantastic job under the circumstances. Our Vanessa would be proud to know that some good has come out of a bad situation..  She will always be known as "Mutha" to some "Auntie Vee" to others "Bird" to a close few and Vanessa to most, she was inspirational who gave everything she had, with an infectious smile that would melt your heart, she was my solemate best friend and love of my life, and will be greatly missed.. xxx     R.I.P Vanessa Johnstone (was Faetz) 20.9.68  -  27.11.13 aged 45