Neil Clegg and his family recently raised £910 for Airedale Hospital’s Haematology and Oncology Day Unit (HODU).
HODU provides care for patients with a variety of haematology and oncology conditions, many of whom visit the unit on a regular basis for chemotherapy and other treatments.
Neil, who is receiving treatment on HODU, and his family organised a fundraiser to celebrate his 60th birthday on 9 November.
Neil’s friends, family, and people he’d worked with over the years were invited to the event where there were various activities to raise funds, including ‘guess the number of sweets in a jar’ and craft sales. The fundraising was a huge success, raising £910 for the unit.
Neil and his partner Hilary were originally from Blackburn but now live on their canal boat along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. Until his diagnosis, Neil was a boat fender maker around the Craven and Bradford area.
Neil was diagnosed with inoperable oesophageal cancer in June this year and was initially given a prognosis of 6 months.
As well as celebrating Neil’s birthday and fundraising for a cause that means a lot to them, the family wants to raise awareness of oesophageal cancer and promote early recognition of the condition.
Oesophageal cancer is a cancer that’s found anywhere in the oesophagus (also called the gullet or food pipe). The most common symptom of oesophageal cancer is difficulty swallowing.
Helen, Neil’s daughter, said:
“We’re giving back to the HODU and UGI department as a thank you for looking after our dad and giving us more time with him.”
Zoë, Neil’s daughter, added:
“The support they’ve given to him, and his partner Hilary has been amazing and we’re very grateful to Airedale’s HODU and UGI units.”
Jodie Hearnshaw, manager at Airedale Hospital & Community Charity, said:
“We’re really grateful to Neil and his family for raising such an incredible amount for HODU. Thanks to donations like this, and support from the community, Airedale Charity recently funded a huge refurbishment of the unit. The team on the unit will be able to use the funds raised to continually improve the facilities for patients.”
Image 1: Neil on his canal boat
Image 2: Table and Airedale Charity banner at the event
