About us:

Almost everyone, at some stage in life, will experience the loss of a loved one, a friend or a colleague to cancer. Everyone has a vested interest in the eradication of this terrible disease which continues to blight the lives of many. In order to raise money for the Brain Tumour Charity, and to celebrate the life of Helen Porter, we are taking on a significant challenge: cycling from Cheltenham to St Ives in Cornwall within 48 hours. Two groups of riders are taking on this challenge on May 29th and 30th and again, on July 10th and 11th. Your support would be hugely appreciated. 

If you would like to join in the cycle ride, please contact Jon Allen at: 07816315023

Helen Porter 15/04/64 to 13/09/20

I am at a complete loss as to how to put into a few words what my beautiful Helen means to me. I am reluctant to even try because I cannot begin to do justice to my lovely, beautiful smiling Helen.

Beautiful Wife, Loving Mother, Sister, Daughter, God mother, Talented Musician, Mentor, Friend to so many and Outstanding teacher.

We met and became friends at the age of 15 and eventually married in 1988. I have been so lucky to have spent the last 32 years with such a remarkable and beautiful wife. We have three wonderful children Hugh, Alex, Amy and daughter in law Holly. 

Her life was so full that it would take many pages to cover a fraction of it.  She was an accomplished musician in her own right, being awarded scholarship at Cheltenham Ladies College and taught at the Royal Academy of Music. She graduated from Exeter University in 1985.

“Mrs P”, as she became known, started at Dean Close School in 1987 as a Music teacher and resident tutor and served a remarkable 33 years at DCS, becoming the Director of Music in 2007. Her pupils’ exam results – both music grades and GCSE and A Level Music were consistently outstanding. She was a very diligent teacher, who could spot giftedness and nurture it. Allowing others to shine, she herself was rarely in the spotlight, but provided light and support for others growth and achievements. Far too many achievements and high lights of a glittering career to list but the DCS Music department being voted “The best of the best” by “The Week” in 2018 was an amazing accolade. 

She also had a very firm faith – which she wore lightly. She didn’t speak about it very much but that faith was hard-wired into her and she lived it every day. She aspired to the qualities of gentleness, truth, honour, purity and excellence.

Helen’s courage and positivity after being told of her diagnosis was truly humbling. She handled her illness with such grace and courage. Her concern focused entirely on those around her and how they would cope. She was utterly selfless, and through it all, she did not complain once. She definitely went into overdrive sorting the house out and tidying everywhere meaning lots of trips to the charity shop! Over her last year I was lucky enough to spend a lot of time with Helen whilst caring for her and although there were sad moments, I will always remember it as a happy and a very precious time. She never failed to make us laugh, and kept us all going with her beautiful smile. I have nothing but admiration for her. Helen is absolutely irreplaceable, a wonderfully kind and beautiful person.  I will always love her and all the happy memories of our life we shared together.

Living with grief, as so many do, and life without Helen is very challenging. Being able to focus on an event such as this Charity Cycle ride is a such a great help. I just hope that I will be fit enough to be able to at least tackle some of the ride! I will definitely be in the slow group!!

Michael Porter

About the charity:

'The Brain Tumour Charity is the world's leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally. Committed to saving and improving lives, were moving further, faster to help every single person affected by a brain tumour.We're set on finding new treatments, offering the highest level of support and driving urgent change. And were doing it right now. Because we understand that when you, or someone you love, is diagnosed with a brain tumour a cure really can't wait.'