Charles was unique - an amazing craftsman who could fix anything and would, for anyone, quietly and often unexpectedly, always accompanied by his dry sense of humour.  Charles was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in June 2015 and, having fought this hideous disease determinedly bravely and for much of the time in intense pain, he finally gave up the battle and died in June 2016.  

Pancreatic cancer causes 5% of all cancer deaths and yet, only 1% of national research funding for cancer currently goes into Pancreatic cancer research.  Survival rates are shocking.

• Approximately 20% survive for 1 year or more after diagnosis
• Not quite 5% survive for 5 years or more after diagnosis
  
• Only 1% will survive for 10 years or more after diagnosis

• THESE STATISTICS HAVE NOT CHANGED IN 40 YEARS

During Charles’ year long struggle he had to take a lot of morphine to ease the pain and, sadly, with quantities of morphine comes confusion and hallucination.  Listening to his ramblings could be distressing but there were times when he appeared to be in a rather better place than the rest of us.  On one such occasion his eldest daughter, Philippa, remarked to me that she wished she could be at the same “tea party” as her father, as he seemed to be having rather a good time of it!  And so, Charles’ Tea Party was born. 

Please, please help fight this shocking disease by donating any amount, small or large, if you are able.  All donations to Charles' Tea Party will go directly to the Pancreatic Cancer Reasearch Fund (PCRF) - please look at their website if you would like to know more.

Thank you on Charles' behalf.