PRESS RELEASE
Date: 10September 2019
Charity Memorial Day dedicated to memory of Redruth local, Chris Fidock, is roaring success
The Fidock Family
A charity Memorial Fun Day held in memory of much-loved Redruth resident, Chris Fidock, has raised over £1,300 for AMMF, the UK's only cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) charity.
Held in the grounds of St. Rumons Social Club in Redruth on Sunday 25th August, more than 300 people came along to enjoy and support the fun-packed event to remember popular local father of three, Chris Fidock. Following his diagnosis with the rare and little-known cholangiocarcinoma in 2017, Chris sadly lost his cancer battle in June last year, aged 57.
As Chris's son and event organiser Sam Fidock explains, "The event was meant to be a day of celebration rather than one of mourning. My dad wasn't that sort of fellow, he wouldn't have liked that sort of thing. We wanted people in the local area to come together and to enjoy a fantastic day, but to also shine a much-needed light on the little-known liver cancer he so bravely fought. From what people said to me at the event, it certainly seemed to meet both these goals, which is fantastic."
As Sam Fidock continues, "The Memorial Day was an important way for us as a family to remember an amazing husband, father, grandfather, friend and much-loved member of the local community. From the feedback I and members of my family received from people who joined us at the Fun Day, my father left a lasting memory on so many people he knew. My family was quite overwhelmed by the community's response and by the incredible turnout. We didn't expect it to be that busy! We were extremely touched by people's generosity, whether that was by donating time, money or services towards the Day. And who knows, we could hold another Memorial Day next year!"
Helen Morement, CEO of AMMF says, "We are extremely grateful to Sam and the Fidock family for having organised such a special and memorable event. The incidence of cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) appears to be increasing across all age groups, including younger people, so there is an urgent need for research to find the causes of this disease so we can develop better diagnostic tests and more effective treatments. This Memorial Day was a key way to help raise awareness and much-needed funds for research into cholangiocarcinoma, a little known but devastating liver cancer."
Ends
Notes to Editor:
For media inquiries and interviews, please contact Esther Porta, AMMF PR and Communications, on +44 (0)7870 439158 email: esther@ammf.org.uk
About AMMF
AMMF was founded and registered as a charity with the Charity Commission in 2002 (registered charity no 1091915). AMMF is the UK's only cholangiocarcinoma charity, dedicated to tackling this devastating cancer on all fronts: providing information and support, campaigning to raise awareness, and encouraging and supporting research.
In recent years an enormous and extremely worrying worldwide increase in cholangiocarcinoma's incidence has been noted. Latest figures show there were 2,161 deaths caused by cholangiocarcinoma in 2013 in England alone (NCIN/Cancer52 report). The incidence appears to be increasing across all age groups, including younger people, and the cause of this ongoing increase is unknown. Much more research is desperately needed.
AMMF is dedicated to bringing about improvement for the cholangiocarcinoma patient, working closely throughout the UK with patients, families, carers, clinicians, healthcare professionals, researchers, politicians and policy makers, and collaborating internationally. For more information, visit: www.ammf.org.uk (registered charity no.1091915).
St Rumons Social Club, Penryn Street, Redruth, Cornwall TR15 2SP
The Chris Fidock Memorial Family Fun Day was generously supported by several local companies.