Archived News - Cancer
David Broddle helps raise £100,000 for Child Cancer Charity
David Broddle from Eaton Bray has returned from Mount Everest after helping to raise £100,000 for CLIC Sargent, a child cancer charity.
The expedition - which took David and 24 colleagues from Santander banking group through Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche and Lobuche - was going well until October 13, when the weather turned.
David admits he was "devasted" when last month's cyclone in India cut short the trip. "We were trekking in a snow storm and we were unaware of the cyclone.
"We woke up to 3ft of snow, and the lead sherpa informed us that it was too dangerous to make the final 500m ascent.
"We were devastated at being so close but understood it was too risky.
"We later found out that many people had to be airlifted out from base camp and surround areas, and a number of yaks had been killed in an avalanche.
"It was an incredible journey through magnificent countryside. The people of Nepal are all welcoming and friendly and it was a trip of a lifetime."
To donate towards the group's impressive total, visit www.justgiving.com/David-Broddle
Gordon Johns takes over as Lymphoma Association chair of trustees
Gordon Johns took over as the sixth chairman of the Lymphoma Association trustees on Saturday (18-May-2013) at our AGM. He has been a trustee since 2011 and follows Richard Morris, who served as chairman for five years.
Gordon spent his entire career working in the financial services industry in the City of London – including 10 years as chief executive of an investment management firm – and now devotes much of his time to charity and community work. In addition to his role as our chairman, he is a non-executive director and vice-chairman of Bedford Hospital, a trustee and investment advisor to a charitable educational trust, chairman of Eaton Bray Parish Council, and secretary of Aylesbury Advanced Motorists, and recently stood down from the chairmanship of Bichon Frise Rescue, a national dog rescue organisation.
The Lymphoma Association is a registered charity working to ensure that everyone affected by lymphoma, the UK's fifth most common cancer, receives the best possible information and support, treatment and care.
Gordon said: 'I am delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to the uniquely important work that the Lymphoma Association does for lymphoma patients, their families and carers, and to build on the achievements of the last five years under Richard Morris's Chairmanship.'
Sally Penrose, the Lymphoma Association's chief executive, said: 'We are extremely grateful to Gordon for his commitment to our cause – supporting people affected by lymphoma. He has already been actively involved as a member of our strategy working group and investment committee and he brings invaluable leadership experience both from business and the voluntary sector to the role of chairman.'
-and-richard-morris(r).jpg "Gordon Johns (L) and Richard Morris (R)")
Gordon Johns (left), together with Richard Morris, the outgoing chairman
Gordon Johns is also the current Chairman of Eaton Bray Parish Council.
Source: Lymphoma association
Welcome home Andy
After 2,083 miles of cycling from one end of Great Britain to the other (and back!) in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, Andy Gibbons cycled back into the village this evening at about 6pm, just in time for the Carnival this weekend.
There is still an opportunity to sponsor Andy's tremendous effort on behalf of Macmillan Cancer Support. There is also a board in St Mary's Church with more details and photos from Andy's amazing cycle ride.
To find out how you can help raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, telephone Beds community fundraiser Caroline de Carpentier on 01582 606677 or see the website www.macmillan.org.uk.
Andy's amazing cycle ride
Andy Gibbons cycle ride is now well under way.
Please sponsor Andy on his 2,000 mile cycle ride from one end of Great Britain to the other (and back!) in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.
Andy hopes to raise £2,000 for the charity and is confident he can complete the journey in three weeks.
"Cancer has touched all our lives and I am pleased that Macmillan was chosen by the church as our charity this year."
There is a sponsor list on the table by the notice board in St Mary's Church, or please contact Sheila Banks.
To find out how you can help raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, telephone Beds community fundraiser Caroline de Carpentier on 01582 606677 or see the website www.macmillan.org.uk.
Source: St Mary's Church, Eaton Bray
Desserts and Divas Evening
Macmillan Cancer Support -
St. Mary's Church 2008 Charity
Desserts and Divas Evening
Saturday 19th July 7.30pm
Tickets Price £7.00
A summer gala evening is to be held in South End Lane, Northall to raise funds for this very important charity. We invite you to bring along YOUR favourite dessert/pudding and sample other delicious desserts. Recipes of these to be provided if required. There will be music in the marquee.
We have been very fortunate that most of the members of the 'Just A Cappella' group have agreed to sing for us in two separate performances during the evening.
Price to include all the desserts you can comfortably eat, plus your welcome drink.
Other drinks will be available throughout the evening.
All welcome. Tickets available from Lyn Stubbs 01525 220731.
Source: Focus, June 2008
London to Liverpool via Eaton Bray
Gregg Roughley set out yesterday on a 223 mile run from London to Liverpool, over 11 days. To help him on the way he will be ably assisted by Adam Yates, who will be able to cycle, read a map and bark supportive slogans when Gregg's legs have forgotten who owns them.
Today Gregg is set to arrive in Eaton Bray after his second leg which started in Watford this morning. Tomorrow he will then continue on to Stony Stratford.
Gregg's mother Sylvia has emailed in to ask anyone that sees him around the village or en-route to please give him a wave!
Gregg is raising money for MacMillan Cancer Support; "they are a wonderful charity who have offered fantastic support to me and my family and to many others around the country. I hope you will support our efforts to raise money for them so that they can continue to help cancer sufferers and their family members when they most need it."
To donate money to Gregg and help him raise money for Macmillan, please use his JustGiving page at: http://www.justgiving.com/greggroughley.
A touch of TLC for a good cause
If you could do with some TLC and a spot of alternative therapy, Toddington Village Hall is the place to be on Sunday, November 11.
Gentle Touch Healing is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a free Healathon featuring 'tasters' of body and soul nourishing treatments such as aroma and emotional therapy, Indian head massage, kinesiology, metaphysical counselling and reflexology, as well as Bach and herb remedies.
Founder Ray Wilson said 10 healers and five therapists would be in attendance at the event which is open from 10am to 4pm.
Although there is no entry fee and no charge for any of the tasters, donations will be welcome. These will be split between the Healing Centre Building Fund and Macmillan Cancer Support. Tea and coffee, cakes and biscuits will be available for a 50p donation.
Ray, who eased Eaton Bray cancer victim Liz Farr's final months, is working towards establishing a £10 million pyramid-shape holistic healing centre in Bedfordshire. It will be ecological, carbon-neutral and planet-friendly.
He hopes to fund the building with donations and to run it through renting rooms to medical practitioners, complementary therapists and counsellors in addition to selling ranges of healing and health-related products.
The Healing Centre operates on Tuesday evenings at Flitwick's Rufus Centre.
For more information, call 01582 663900 or you can visit www.gentletouch.co.uk.
Liz, who lived in Woodside, hit the headlines when her film-maker son Rob made a documentary of her illness, Making a Song and Dance About Cancer.
She also wrote and recorded the Thank You Song, with all proceeds going to Gentle Touch Healing. After her death, her widower Clive Bevins gave the charity a cheque for £2,000 towards the centre's building fund.
Source: Dunstable Gazette, 1 November 2007
'Thank You' CD plays on
Liz Farr may have lost her brave battle with cancer but the Eaton Bray mum's music lives on.
Her Thank You Song, recorded as a tribute to all the friends and family who'd supported her during her long illness, is still available.
All you have to do is log on to www.thankyousong.co.uk for an order form. The CD costs £6.95 (plus p&p) and all proceeds go to Gentle Touch Healing.
Source: Herald & Post, 27 July 2006
Opera star's last tribute to brave Liz
The glorious voice of international opera singer Gwen Jeffers filled St Giles Church in Totternhoe at the funeral of Liz Farr (pictured).
The celebration and thanksgiving of last week followed her death on July 8 after a brave battle against cancer that lasted 17 years.
Her husband Clive Bevins, whom she married at an emotional bedside ceremony only three days before she died, wanted it to be a happy occasion.
He said afterwards: "We gave her a good send-off.
"I was so proud of her son, Rob, who decorated the church and the churchyard with blue and yellow banners that echoed the colours in the stained glass windows."
Clive had the packed congregation laughing at his anecdotes about life with Liz.
He also read a poem she'd written for Rob, entitled My Son. She'd intended to set it to music - like her Thank You Song which was played during the service, conducted by the Rev Janet Spicer - but had run out of time.
Liz, who lost two husbands to cancer before being diagnosed herself, attended the premiers last month of Making a Song and Dance About Cancer, a moving tribute to her inspirational life made by her son Rob.
She and Clive had been together for four years.
Clive said later: "I always knew this was where our train would terminate. I just hoped we'd have a few more stops."
Source: Bev Creagh, Dunstable Gazette, 26 July 2006
Funeral set for bride who died 3 days after wedding
The funeral of Liz Farr, who died on Saturday, will take place at St Giles Parish Church, Church Road, Totternhoe, on Tuesday July 18 at 2.30pm. This will be followed by a family burial at the Church of St Mary, Edlesborough, at 3.30pm.
The Eaton Bray mum, who lost her brave battle with cancer only three days after marrying her partner Clive Bevins, asked for her Thank You Song to be played at the service. She wrote and recorded it just before Christmas as a tribute to the family and friends who'd supported her during her long ordeal and sang it to a congregation of more than 1,000 at a St Albans church in December. Liz, 55, lost two husbands to the disease before being diagnosed with breast cancer 17 years ago.
Her film maker son Rob made a documentary about her inspirational and uplifting journey. Called Making a Song and Dance About Cancer, it premiered at Berkamsted last month.
After the performance, former insurance company manager Clive got down on one knee and proposed. Liz, looking frail but radiant, said: "Clive is my guardian angel. I've never met such a kind and loving person."
He was equally devoted to her. He tells our sister paper, the Dunstabl Gazette, this week: "She was such a bonus in my life, in spite of the cancer.
"It really was the happiest time. I remember lying in bed not wanting to go to sleep, not wanting to waste a precious minute with her."
The family would like as many friends as possible to come to the funeral. But they've asked those attending to put aside mourning black and dress in bright colours to celebrate Liz's life.
They have also requested family flowers only - donations to Iain Rennie Hospice at Home, 52a Western Road, Tring, Herts HP23 4BB.
Source: Herald & Post, 13 July 2006
Farewell, my lovely Liz
Eaton Bray mum Liz Farr has lost her brave battle with cancer - only three days after marrying fiance Clive Bevins at an emotionally charged ceremony.
Clive, a former insurance company manager, proposed last month after the premiere of Making A Song And Dance About Cancer, documenting her positive attitude to the disease that had already robbed her of two husbands before she herself was diagnosed 17 years ago.
Liz, 55, became ill two days after embarking on a pre-honeymoon Mediterranean cruise.
Her film-maker son Rob flew out to Lisbon to join them when her health deteriorated.
Clive, 64, said: 'Our cabin was like a luxury prison. I knew she didn't have long and we came home from Southampton by private ambulance.'
With Liz failing fast, Clive arranged a special marriage licence.
He said: 'There was the most amazing atmosphere, joy and happiness mingled with sadness.
'The registrar sat on the bed at our home and there were about 25 family members and friends gathered round.
'Liz became my wife at 11.10am last Wednesday. But she was too weak to say 'I do,' so she just squeezed my hand.'
The pair, of Woodside, Eaton Bray, met four years ago when they went on a skiing trip.
Clive recalled: 'We decided we'd better get to know each other because we were the two novices.
'I was 60, separated from my wife, and perfectly happy with my single life playing bowls, playing snooker.
'But that first day sealed the rest of our relationship - we met to buy skiing equipment, went shopping, had lunch, went to the cinema and ended up spending 11 hours together.
'By the end of the week we were in love.
'I'd been 'Lizzed.'
'She was such a bonus in my life, in spite of the cancer.
'It really was the happiest time.
'I remember lying in bed not wanting to go to sleep, not wanting to waste a precious minute with her.
'She was very sociable and loved having people around her. She had crowds of friends.
'Even this New Year with just eight of us, we played silly games and the evening was such fun.
'And I remember coming home after one hospital appointment, when the news hadn't been very good.
'I went into the kitchen to make tea and there were gales of laughter coming from the lounge.
'I said: 'We must have these cancer parties more often.'
'She loved being the centre of attention, and she was, right to the end.
'I was holding her hand and she was surrounded by her family.
'Her breathing became very laboured and we were all there with her, to her last breath.'
Liz was equally devoted to Clive.
She told the Gazette: 'He's my guardian angel.
'I've never met such a kind and loving person and there's nothing he wouldn't do for me.'
Now Clive intends burying his bride in the dress she wore to the premiere in June.
He said she loved posh frocks and nice jewellery and he's determined she's going to look stunning one last time, just as she would have wished.
Liz's story was inspirational and uplifting.
At Christmas she recorded a CD of a song she wrote and set to music as a tribute to the family and friends who supported her through her long ordeal.
She sang her Thank You Song to a congregation of more than 1,000 at a St Albans church in December and stipulated she wanted it played at her funeral, with all proceeds going to Dunstable-based charity Gentle Touch Healing.
Gentle Touch founder Ray Wilson described Liz as a brave and courageous person who brought joy to many with her buoyant and infectious personality.
Clive said he's shed many tears since she's died, although it was a relief to see her suffering end.
'I told her every day I loved her and adored her and that she was my best friend. And that will never change,' he added.
Liz's son Rob has appealed to everyone attending to wear bright colours to celebrate his mother's life - no black, please.
Source: Dunstable Gazette, 12 July 2006
Liz will you marry me?
There wasn't a dry eye in the house when Eaton Bray's Clive Bevins dropped down on one knee after the premiere of Making A Song And Dance About Cancer - documenting his partner Liz Farr's brave battle with the disease - and asked her to marry him.
"I was totally, totally unprepared," a stunned Liz, 55, said later. "But it was wonderful, at this stage in my life, for such wonderful things to be happening and still to be having such wonderful surprises.
"Clive is my guardian angel. I've never met such a kind and loving person and there's nothing he wouldn't do for me.
"The whole day was magic and the message I want to get across is that if you've got a life-limiting illness, you don't have to give up. You can still have a fantastic time and enjoy every minute you have left."
Clive, 64, said the only person who knew of his romantic intentions before the Rex Cinema screening in Berkhamsted on Friday was Liz's son, Rob, who made the film about his mother's uplifting and inspiring journey.
"I didn't want the premiere to be an anticlimax for Liz," Clive said. "I wanted her to have something else to look forward to, another reason to look ahead."
The happy couple, who met four years ago on a skiing trip, are hoping to have the honeymoon cruise of a lifetime to celebrate their impending nuptials.
Liz, looking frail but radiant, sang her Thank You Song - recorded as a tribute to the family and friends who've supported her - after the credits had rolled on the documentary.
The plucky mum, from Woodside, Eaton Bray, has not only lost two husbands to cancer, but was also diagnosed with breast cancer herself 17 years ago. It has now spread to her spine and liver.
Former insurance company manager Clive said they were so lucky to have got together when they did.
"She's my best friend, the loveliest lady I've ever met," he said. "I do a lot for her but I know if our situations were reversed, she'd do exactly the same for me."
And Liz is equally complimentary about Clive.
"He's the perfect partner," she said. "All my family and friends want to be around him, because he brings something special to our relationship and makes us feel complete. We enjoy being together, even if we're only watching TV." Liz also appreciates the fact he doesn't wallow in her disease.
"He pushes my illness to one side and says: 'Right, you've got this so we'll do that'," said Liz. "If I'm feeling fine, we do things. And if I'm having a bad day, we don't."
Liz was immensely moved by the documentary, which was put together over the past year.
"When it started I had tears in my eyes," she said. "It was so emotional. But as it progressed, I got more used to it.
"It's very powerful. It charts the ups and downs, what it's like to live with this condition. My son and I had some very honest conversations and I think he's done an absolutely fantastic job, bless him."
Rob is hoping to enter the film in various international festivals. And he's hoping a final version - including the romantic ending - will make it on to television.
The premiere raised more than £1,000 for Dunstable-based charity Gentle Touch Healing, whose hands-on approach has helped and strengthened Liz as she comes to terms with what lies ahead.
For more details about Liz's life and to order the Thank You Song CD, visit the www.thankyousong.co.uk website.
Source: Dunstable Gazette, 14 June 2006
Film and song sum up Liz's brave battle against cancer
A brave mum who has fought cancer for 17 years will attend the premiere of a film about her battle next month.
Liz Farr, 55, of Woodside, Eaton Bray has already recorded a CD of a song she wrote and set to music as a tribute to the family and friends who have supported her through her ordeal.
She lost two husbands to cancer, before being diagnosed with the disease herself. It was discovered in her breast and has now spread to her spine and liver.
Liz sang her Thank You Song to a church congregation of more than 1,000 at St Albans in December. All proceeds from the CD are going to charity and she wants it player at her funeral.
"It sums up how I'd like to be remembered - as someone who always managed to smile and be positive, no matter what, she said."
But in the meanwhile she's too busy living to think about dying. She and her partner Clive are doing all in their power to fight the disease together. They've adopted a new lifestyle and a strict cancer-friendly diet to accompany and complement her conventional medical treatment.
Now her son Rob, a film graduate, has made a documentary about her positive and holistic approach to her illness. He wants to share it with others so they can be uplifted and inspired by his mother's journey.
Making A Song And Dance About Cancer will be shown at the beautiful art deco Rex Cinema in Berkhamsted. Tickets are free but all donations will go to the Dunstable-based charity Gentle Touch Healing, whose hands-on treatment has helped and strengthened Liz as she comes to tems with what lies ahead.
She said: "I known I'm dying of cancer, but I'm going to spend whatever time I have left helping others cope with it."
Gentle Touch founder Ray Wilson said: "Liz is a very brave and couragous person who brings joy to many with her buoyant and infectious personality."
Making A Song And Dance About Cancer will be shown on Friday, June 9 at the Rex Cinema, High Street, Berkhamsted. Tel: 01442 877 759.
Visit Liz Farr's website www.thankyousong.co.uk to order the CD and for more details about her life.
Source: Bev Creagh, Leighton Buzzard Observer, 16 May 2006