Meet the incredible 90-year-old Northants man who been a regular Macmillan fundrasier since losing his wife 11 years ago

A local man who lost his wife to cancer more than a decade ago has dedicated much of his spare to time raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

John Patrick, from Ravensthorpe, has been determined to keep the coffee morning fundraising tradition going after his wife, Pat, first got involved more than 30 years ago.

The 90-year-old has continued to support the charity since his wife died after being diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2008.

John said: “We were on holiday in Australia when Pat was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

“She had an operation in Adelaide and spent six weeks in hospital there but it wasn’t successful and she passed away a year later.

“It was a blow. It still is a blow all these years later. It still gets me sometimes talking about it.”

Pat was cared for by Macmillan nurses so John experienced first-hand what the charity does and became even more determined in his fundraising efforts, so much so he has raised more than £13,000 over the years.

The coffee morning John runs with the help of six good friends has continued to grow each year and is now held in the village hall for around 80 guests raising between £800 and £1000 each year and Pat’s silver plate is still used to collect the donations.

This year, due to the pandemic, the usual village hall event will not happen, but John has adapted so he can still raise funds.

He added: “We can’t do a coffee morning this year in the village hall because of regulations, so I have written a note in the village newsletter explaining the dilemma and asking for support.

“The letter has been sent to around 250 houses. I’ve explained that the money is still needed.

“I am sure we can get at least £1,000.”

Last year people in Northampton raised £83,400 by taking part in a Macmillan Cancer Support coffee morning, to fund its vital services.

According to the charity, it has never needed support more, as figures reveal an expected 71 percent drop in income from its flagship fundraising event, as it is feared supporters do not know the event is still going ahead, albeit in a virtual or socially distanced capacity.

Kathy Blythe, Macmillan partnership manager for Northamptonshire, added: “There has never been a more terrifying time in recent history to receive a cancer diagnosis with disruption and delays to treatment and fears of increased risk of becoming infected with coronavirus.

“A huge 98 percent of Macmillan’s income is from donations and events like coffee mornings.

“While coffee mornings can’t take place in exactly the same way as before this year, there are still lots of ways to get involved.

“We’re facing the hardest year in our 109-year history. It’s no exaggeration to say Macmillan and people with cancer have never needed the public’s help more than we do right now.”

The official coffee morning is on September 25, but supporters are encouraged to hold their coffee morning whenever suits them, with plenty of space and easy access.

Find out how to get involved on the charity’s website.

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