A Herefordshire town’s fight to help a much-loved local man with terminal cancer, who has himself helped to raise thousands of pounds for charity over many years, is gathering an extraordinary momentum across the county.
Pledges of support worth thousands of pounds for Leominster’s town crier and retained firefighter Dave Taylor are pouring in to help him pay for Avastin, a drug to prolong his life.
Since he was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2007, Dave has been undergoing chemo-therapy and a course of treatment at the Renton Unit at Hereford, but he was devastated when he was told that the Primary Care Trust would not fund the next phase of treatment for his inoperable disease.
Leominster MP Bill Wiggin MP was left “disgusted” after Labour’s deputy leader Harriet Harman refused to support calls for help to be given to Dave to get the drug he needs. The MP raised the issue during Prime Minister’s Questions last Wednesday when the Deputy Leader was standing in for Gordon Brown.
“I am disgusted at Harriet Harman’s heartless attitude and complete lack of compassion towards David Taylor and his family. He has given many years of service to the local community in Leominster as a town crier and firefighter and it is heart-breaking to see that he is being refused treatment to keep him alive.” The MP has vowed to do all he can to support Dave.
Firefighters from all over the county, hairdressers, Women’s Institute members, auctioneers and local businesses have so far joined forces in an astonishing demonstration of support for Dave who is currently having to find £2,100 every two to three weeks to control his cancer.
NHS Herefordshire has previously told the Journal that the request for Avastin had been declined because the treatement is not approved by NICE, has been turned down by the Scottish Medical Committee and has “very limited evidence of success”.
Since Dave’s plight was reported in the Journal last month, a wave of support has brought pledges of help for this “smashing bloke” who ironically worked hard to help North Herefordshire Renton Appeal raise a mighty £160,000 for the unit at Hereford County Hospital where he is receiving his treatment.
A cabaret night, car washes, a clay pigeon shoot, sponsored run, quiz, 24-hour staying awake challenge and an auction of promises are among a wide range of activities planned in Herefordshire for Dave’s appeal.
“The support I’ve had has been absolutely amazing,” said Dave. “I can’t thank them all, but I’ve had support from the town and from the fire service. I can honestly say it’s made me cry every day.”
While Dave accepts that his illness is terminal, he is still able to work regularly at the fire station with the help of drugs to control the spread of the disease, and chemotherapy. And next month, with his customary good humour, he will once again compere an annual event when Bargoed Male Voice Choir returns to Leominster Priory Church on April 24. Proceeds from this event will go to Help for Heroes and the church.
Said the former co-ordinator of the North Herefordshire Renton Appeal, Denise Pugh: “Dave has done so much for others and now the support for him is coming from all walks of life, it’s just overwhelming.”
Forthcoming fundraisers include the ‘Big Event’, a cabaret night on July 3 at Luctonians’ Sports Club at Kingsland, with auctioneer Geoff Croft from Brightwells conducting an auction of promises.
Meanwhile, on March 19 at 7pm, a bingo session takes place at Kingsland Coronation Hall, and on Saturday, March 20 Leominster fire station crew will be holding a collection at Somerfield/Co-op supermarket in Leominster.
For more information about Dave’s appeal call Denise Pugh on 07967 515531, Lyn Savage on 07580 539 523 or Mel Bird on 07854 403165. Details can also be found at www.leominstertown.co.uk/LeoFire/Char ity.html
Donations for the Dave Taylor Appeal can be taken into the Halifax, bank account 00500126, sort code 11-04-49.
