Raised: 90%
Target: £8,000.00
Raised so far: £7,220.50
Donate now

My story

 
I was diagnosed with tongue cancer on the 31st March, 2009  (Maisy's birthday). On the 2nd May (Wendy's birthday) I had a 15 hour operation to remove a tumour at the QMC in Nottingham. Mr McVicar and his team successfully removed the tumour and some cancer cells that had spread to my neck. I have lost 2/3 of my tongue.

 

Since then I have had 6 weeks of daily radiotherapy and weekly chemotherapy which was dreadful. After surgery and treatment I obviously have quite a change to my lifestyle. My speech is impaired and I am not able to eat solid foods…yet. My aim is to improve my speech so that I can teach again and eat a meal again without using a blender.  

 

There have been some pretty low moments over the last few months but my family and friends have really supported me and helped me stay positive. I live my life the best way I can by following two values and a motto: no self-pity, no false sentimentality, and ‘No one provokes me with impunity’.

 

Fundraising and awareness building have become a very important part of what I devote my time to now as a sufferer of this dreadful disease. My aim is to get tongues wagging about tongue cancer and raise its profile. Very few people have heard about it.

 

In order to raise awareness of mouth and neck cancer I appeared in the Nottingham Evening Post. You can read the article online

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/homenews/Skin-arm-used-rebuild-tongue/article-1083039-detail/article.html

 

I wrote an article in The Times Educational Supplement which appeared in their magazine and online which you can view at

http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6019870

 

I have also appeared on BBC Radio Nottingham. My surgeon and I spoke about mouth cancer on the Frances Finn show.  

 

I have been lucky to have such wonderful support from my friends and their friends when fundraising. The goal for me during my treatment was to complete The Mouth Cancer Foundation Hyde Park 10K Walk….I did it! This was a special day and it was very well attended. Thank you to Ian, Cathy, Elliott, Morgan and Christian for joining me and Wendy.  

 

A good friend of ours, Richard Marriott and boss of MWE Ltd (www.mwe.ltd.uk) kindly nominated The Mouth Cancer Foundation as his firm's chosen charity to mark their 20th year in business. Richard and his colleagues completed the National Three Peaks Challenge in September and that is quite something! Thank you to everyone who took part.

 

Look at the events we have been lucky enough to have had support from so far:  

 

Teddy Bear’s Picnic and Raffle, Wollaton House Day Nursery.

Forest Fields and Nursery Sponsored Walk.

Wollaton Dad’s and Toddlers Charity Golf Day.

The Wollaton Pub and Kitchen Pub Quiz.     

 

Then of course there is the individual support we have had from folks donating to this page. It’s very humbling.   

 

Charity events to support the Mouth Cancer Foundation we are planning for next year include a cricket tournament, a clay pigeon shoot, a bike ride, disco, comedy night and a climb up Snowdonia.

 

Fundraising and awareness building is never-ending which is why I am committed to doing what I can. Please join us and help if you can.

 

John, Wendy and Maisy.  

 

Hi John - Well done for Hyde Park great effort - this is from all my off line sponsors. Your an inspiration to us all. Donation by Richard Marriott - MWE 3 Peaks Challenge 01/11/09  

£220.50 + £62.19 Gift Aid

You are the standard bearer. Donation by Frankie 28/10/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Thanks to family and friends for a great night xx Donation by Wollaton Pub Quiz 25th October, 2009 26/10/09  

£205.00 + £57.82 Gift Aid

Well done completing the Hyde Park walk. Hopefully that event marks a significant milestone in your path to complete recovery. Best wishes. Donation by Brian Hatley- MWE 3 Peaks Walker 25/10/09  

£382.00 + £107.74 Gift Aid

All the best John. Donation by Adam and Claire Brown. 23/10/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

This is the rest of our sponsored walk money sent with lots of love. Donation by Forest Fields Primary and Nursery School 23/10/09  

£180.00

Lovely to hear you on the radio. Love to Maisy and Wendy. Donation by Love Josie and Len 15/10/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Don't stop John and keep smiling, from Ian, Cathy, Elliott, Morgan and friends Kate and Lynn Donation by Ian Hodgkin 14/10/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Best wishes Donation by Paul & Kathy Lewis 11/10/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Donation by John Dabell 08/10/09  

£12.50 + £3.53 Gift Aid

Nothing can stop you and Wendy to achieve your goals. Keep going! Love and Best Wishes Donation by Eliza and Family 08/10/09  

£300.00 + £84.62 Gift Aid

Well done, wishing you all the best for your recovery too Donation by Sara & David Winstanley (friends of Cathy & Ian) 07/10/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

A true inspiration to us all! Donation by Bal & Parm (Ian & Cathy's friends) 06/10/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Well done and best wishes for your recovery. Donation by Julia (Colleague of Ian's) 06/10/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Well don Donation by Sarah & Pete Janes 04/10/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Get well soon John Donation by Stephan (a work colleague of your dad) 03/10/09  

£40.00 + £11.28 Gift Aid

Read article in TES - remembered you from a good INSET session at a conference. Best wishes Donation by Joyce Brown 02/10/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Well done John! Proud of you. Donation by Pat and Steve 01/10/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Best wishes John. Donation by anonymous 01/10/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

This donation is the result of our sponsored walk and comes with lots of love from our children, staff and the wider community. Donation by Forest Fields Primary and Nursery School 01/10/09  

£1,060.00

John I was part of the 3peaks challenge with Richard MWE Hope your walk went well and your feeling fit. Good luck keep and on fighting Donation by David Forster 01/10/09  

£525.00 + £148.08 Gift Aid

anonoymous Donation by Helen Bird 29/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Best wishes Donation by Mike and Sandra 29/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

from Christian's workmate Donation by Jim Rock 28/09/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

from Christian's workmate Donation by Paul M. 28/09/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

from Christian's workmate Donation by Dan Bullivant 28/09/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Love you Uncle Johnny x Donation by Holly 28/09/09  

£8.00 + £2.26 Gift Aid

Best wishes from Councillor Cox and Co. Donation by Ian and Lorraine Cox 28/09/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Best wishes from Bovey Donation by Tina Townsend 28/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

It is great news to know you are feeling a little better and that you are able to take part in your walk, you are an inspiration to us all. Donation by Sue, Mike, Greg and Kim xx 27/09/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid
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* Total raised online: £7,220.50
  Offline donations: £0.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £1,517.58

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