£10k raised for Preston and Fulwood charities in memory of Fylde man

A Fylde man who sadly passed away in March has inspired his supporters to raise £10,000 for two local charities.

Mike Vernon, who lived in Treales, was known for helping others, so friends and family attending a celebration of his life at the Hand and Dagger pub decided to raise funds in his honour.

The celebration of Mike, who sadly lost his life in March to a rare form of cancer aged 54, was organised by his wife Brenda, business manager for Issa Medical Group, Preston.

Brenda said: “It was a bittersweet event. It was something we wanted to do because, at the time of Mike’s funeral, we were limited on the number of people able to attend. There were so many more who wanted to pay their respects.

“Mike was someone who would always go out of his way to help and give back. He had a strong social conscience. The money raised from the evening, tombola, auction, a golf day arranged by friends and a recent afternoon tea I did is just phenomenal. Guests gave so graciously. I am so thankful to everyone.”

Among the attendees were Mike’s stepsons Oliver, 30, and William, 28, and his children with Brenda, Joe, 18, and Ruby, 14. Mike and Brenda married in 2013.

The money raised will be shared between St Catherine’s Hospice, where Mike spent time last December, and Rosemere Cancer Foundation. There will also be smaller donations to Macmillan and Marie Curie.

Mike underwent surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy at Rosemere Cancer Centre, Lancashire and South Cumbria’s regional specialist cancer treatment and radiotherapy centre at the Royal Preston Hospital, following a
diagnosis of anal cancer two and a half years before his death.

Colleagues from YMCA England and YMCA Fylde Coast, the charity for which fitness fanatic Mike worked in community sport and leisure, were also guests, with a group of them forming the band Trident to provide the evening’s live music.

They previously played at Mike and Brenda’s wedding and Mike’s 50th birthday party.

Brenda added: “The team at Rosemere was excellent and did everything it could for Mike. Mike himself was incredibly fit.

“He continued cycling when quite poorly but had been a sportsman all of his life, playing rugby and basketball. He had also done martial arts. It shows that if cancer can happen to Mike, it can happen to anyone.”

For more information, visit – www.rosemere.org.uk

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