Fundraising friends help Kingsley ‘seize the day’

Friends of the Herald’s Kingsley Squire, who has been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, have united to organise a fundraiser to support the little-known charity he is championing.

Kingsley, 78, remains positive and wants to ‘seize the day’. He feels ‘humbled’ by the efforts of a group headed by Sylvia Brownlee and Marie Martin.

After reading Kingsley’s story in the Herald, they have organised an afternoon of fundraising on Saturday, October 3, at All Saints Church Hall from 2pm.

There will be cream teas, a raffle, stalls and performances by Our Sidbury Choir, led by Lynden Webb, and the Sidmouth Ukulele Strummers.

All Saints Road resident Kingsley is supporting the nationwide charity Pancreatic Cancer Action in its mission to save lives through early diagnosis by raising public awareness of the symptoms.

Apart from being committed to improving survival rates for Britain’s fifth deadliest cancer through greater awareness of the symptoms, Pancreatic Cancer Action writes and funds medical and educational modules for doctors, especially GPs, and funds research into early diagnosis.

It also develops and funds public awareness campaigns and lobbies the Government and other agencies to increase funding for the disease - known as a silent killer.

“Pancreatic cancer is known to have been chronically underfunded for decades,” said Kingsley, who has been writing for the Herald for 26 years. “So every penny we can raise will help the cause.

“Sidmouth is such a caring community - raising thousands of pounds every year for charity. Now, here it is opening its heart for one of the most lethal of all cancers. I am both humbled and so grateful that good friends are organising this fundraiser to raise public awareness of the symptoms to save lives through earlier diagnosis.”

Marie, who with husband Barry was named Citizen of the Year in 2010 for decades of fundraising, said: “Our friendship with Kingsley goes back over 40 years. We have a special and deep-rooted affection for him.”

The couple are fully behind his bid to raise awareness and Marie added: “The event’s not just about raising money – it’s about giving people a good time.”

She thanked Snows Toyota Honiton for sponsoring the event to the tune of £200.

Sylvia has known Kingsley through his work with the Herald and other local groups for many years. She too wants to raise awareness of a ‘neglected’ charity.

“Once I heard Kingsley’s news, we felt we wanted to do something to look forward to – especially for Kingsley and [his wife] Monica,” said Sylvia. “The idea is for people to pop in and out and be entertained with the choir and ukulele group and also make some donations and enjoy the family, community atmosphere.”

? Anyone who would like to help with the fundraising afternoon can email Sylvia at sylvia.brownlee@me.com