It is with great sadness, that I have to announce that our dear friend Elaine passed away peacefully at home this morning- 25th March.

I have had the privilege of knowing Elaine since November 2008 when she became my patient , but quickly she became a valued friend.  Her trips to the clinic were always eagerly anticipated – yes to see her and give her a hug but also to look forward to the large amount of Kit Kat; chocolate rolls and biscuits she would bring and I really had to explain to the staff that really she did not need to comeback every month for review !!!!

She was always interested in everyone and was unbelievably generous in cards and gifts be it birthdays or Xmas or births – she was always there.  We became particularly close when I bred pigs and would regularly look to get pork and sausages for family and friends !!

Face up Cymru – the Head and Neck cancer charity has  so benefited from her support. Be it fund raising in skittles or shaking a donation tin in M& S when we did our sponsored bike ride, she was a great supporter and her and her friend Chris would always be there to support us to help everyone. It is a great pity that this ethic is not present in a lot of people.

The charity has gone through some tough times, with individuals having different agendas but Elaine was always rock solid in her total support and for that I/ we are eternally grateful.

Over the last 3 years , when she became aware the cancer had recurred, she approached this in her normal accepting manner.  What to be is to be.  She bore all her problems superbly.  Eating was a problem but it never got on top of her- she could always drink through her straw!!

She remains a model for us all to look up to.

Elaine Palfrey was first a patient I treated in 2008 but became a dear close friend and will always remain one of my closest friends who I will miss enormously.  My thoughts are with Roy her husband and Chris her closest friend.

Take care and I miss you

Mike Fardy

xxxxx

Hope you are all well.  It appears that this year we will  have a  London Marathon.  This will take place on Sunday 3rd October.

I am pleased to report that our trustee John Vlahos has managed to obtain an additional  place in the race so if anyone would like to enter , please contact either John or myself and we can discuss the details i.e the minimum requirement to fund raise.      Please let me know.

If more than one person would like to take part , depending on the COVID situation , we plan on organising a series of events on the day to simulate the marathon :

•  Row 26 miles
•  Run 26 miles
•  Cycle 26 miles

If you are interested please let me know

Stay safe and well and if you know any patients who need our help – either mental or physical support then please let me know

Mike Fardy

Face up would like to acknowledge the generous donation of £300 from Mr Phillip Morgan.  In these COVID times, this is an outstanding example of selfless generosity and we are extremely grateful to him for this and he can be assured that it will be used for the benefit of our patients

Diolch yn fawr iawn.

In these difficult times – patients are often left struggling with no one to turn to .

If you are experiencing difficulties due to the virus or you know of a patient who needs assistance , please get in touch via our website – leaving contact details and I will be in touch to help in any way,  we as Faceup can help.

Stay safe

Mike FARDY

2020 has been an incredibly difficult time for everyone but even more for those who have the burden of a diagnosis of Head and Neck  cancer and their loved ones.

If there is anything you need – social support; help with transport or shopping please get in touch via our website as we are there 24/7 in case you need us.

It really doesn’t matter how great or small is the request – just contact us and I will get back to you

Stay safe

Mike Fardy

As I pointed out previously, John Vlahos – one of our trustees and an ex patient had entered the 2020 London Marathon. This year it was virtual and I am delighted to say that he completed it and is looking forward to doing another in 2021

On behalf of all , we would like to thank John for his Stirling  efforts

As you know we are still in the grips of the global pandemic and the London marathon was cancelled.  They have instituted a virtual one and a stalwart of the charity – John Vlahos is walking 26.2 miles in the Brecon Beacons for Face up on the 4th October.

If anyone would like to keep him company – great but if you could sponsor him either via our website or the Virgin Marathon website , that would be brilliant.  Every little penny goes a long way so your support is priceless.

Please support John who supports us.

Diolch yn fawr iawn

Mike FardyO

The cycling challenge is completed  –  18 days – cycling 41.6 km ( 26 mile) per day, I cycled a total of 470 miles.  To date we have raised £2619 and I am personally really grateful.  I have a very sore rear but it was well worth it.

Some have questioned the value of the charity but this last donation sums it up and I know she won’t mind sharing this.  This is not about me but its the charity.

• 

  Miriam Jones6 hours ago

  I am personally indebted to this charity! Without face up funded SLT and dietetic support my rehab/life would look very different. More indebted to the man on the bike. I really miss you, Mr Fardy!

  Please spread the word and lets see if we can increase the donations which all go to Faceup

As you know, the Geraint Thomas challenge was  duplicating a 12 hr shift  -he did it in one day !!   then duplicated this over 3 days.

There was more chance of snow freezing in hell than of me doing the same so I decided that as I could do a cycle marathon – 26 miles { 41.6 km]  in about 2 hrs ish, I would do a cycle marathon- so I first did 6 to duplicate one shift but then as part of the 2.6 challenge , as there was no London Marathon, I increased this in a moment of recklessness , so I am now doing 10 consecutive to fit in with this challenge and will add on 2 more so at the end I will have duplicated in my own way the time in the saddle of the great man – all for Face up Cymru

So it works out as one cycle marathon – 26 miles [ 41.6 km ]  each day over 18 days –  total 18  and hopefully if my rear will survive I will finish this a week today !!!

All the monies raised goes directly and totally to Face up

Please see the Just giving website link –

www.justgiving.com/Michael-Fardy?utm_id=27

and pass it to all friends etc or if you would like to donate then see the button above

Any problems please get in touch- as for Elaine we are always there 24/7 for you

Diolch yn fawr