Thank You!

After our son Matthew became ill everyone we knew wanted to help in any way they could.

This page is one small way of saying a huge “THANK YOU” to everyone who organised an event, helped in some way or contributed to Matthew’s appeal.

It is difficult to put into words how grateful we are. The money raised helped pay for our hotel bills while Matt underwent  treatment at the Christie’s cancer hospital in Manchester and also help pay for a huge amount of supplements, lots of specialist treatments, therapists, car parking, consultation fees etc – much of it when the Doctors had given up and no treatment was offered.

Thank you so much to every one!

Sadly our son passed away on the 28th October, 2016 from a rare form of kidney cancer.

You can read more about his journey on his website and blog if you visit www.matt-bates.co.uk


AJAX TO AJAX

Sam Canty, Matthew Wells and Joe Weston were close friends of Matthew. They cycled about 430 miles in just five-and-a-half days taking them from Central Ajax Football Club in Warwick, through France and Belgium, and onto Ajax Amsterdam Football Club in the Netherlands.

The lads also arranged a charity football match where a huge amount of people contributed raffle prizes – we think there was about 68 raffle prizes altogether!

 


MUSIC FOR MATT

Our good friend Keith Donnelly contacted a number of folk clubs and asked them to support Matthew under the heading of “Music For Matt”. Keith is an amazing character and we thank him so much for his help!


The Tump Folk Club is based at The Humber pub in Coventry and run by our friend Karen Orgill. Anna Ryder accompanied Keith Donnelly (and me) with floor spots from Matthew Powell and Rob Oakey. Thank You to everyone who played and contributed!


 

Stockton Folk Club

On Tuesday 29th March the lovely people of Stockton folk club put on a gig for Music For Matt out of the blue – we didn’t even know they were doing it! As well as “AWAY WITH THE FAIRIES” there was the great Norman Wheatley from Warwick Folk Club, Rik Middleton, “NUNC”  (Geoff Veasey and his niece, Flossie)  Dan Gascoine and a cast of hundreds. Stockton Folk Club is run by a cracking bunch of people and we would like to thank them and all the people that donated. Colin, Mike, Rod, Frank and all the people who run the club are an amazing bunch! Thank You


 

The Sly Old Dogs are a group of fine musicians who play Irish and Scottish music throughout the Midlands. Our mates Bob Brooker and Pete

Willow decided to dedicate their gig at the Wood Farm Brewery to the Music For Matt appeal. It is humbling to think that those people in the audience – who have no idea who Matthew was – were willing to contribute! Thank you to Bob and Pete, all those who played and to everyone who contributed!


Bedworth Folk Club

I have been a regular performer at Bedworth Folk Club and Bedworth Folk Festival and I wasn’t surprised that Malc Gurnham and Gill Gilsenan agreed to put on a Music For Matt night – they are very special people and I love them to bits. Performing on the night were Anna Ryder, Noel LeLong, Bob Brooker, John Kearney, Brian Phillips, Phillip Benson, Malc Gurnham, Geoff Veasey and John Richards. Thanks to Brenda Gurnham for doing the door and raffle, and scoring the quiz which was won by the Stanleys who added their £25 cash prize to the evenings funds! I am also pleased to say that Matt and I was able to pop  in for a short while. Thank You so much to everyone who played, organised the event and contributed to the evening!


Warwick Folk Club

Thanks goes to Norman Wheatley who dedicated Monday 18th April 2016 to the Music For Matt appeal. Performing was Keith Donnelly, Martyn Oram, Anna Ryder, Flossie Malavialle as well as support from Rik Middleton, Alkevan and MC’d to perfection by Micheal Luntley. It was a wonderful night and the room was packed with standing room only! Thank You All!!! Despite Matthew being very ill he insisted on popping in to say thank you to everyone and made an off-the-cuff speech.


Monthly Folk Club at Nailcote Ave

While at the Warwick Folk Club event someone popped a cheque into my hand and asked me to give it to Matt. I’m not allowed to say who it was from – but thanks DD!!


Justins Open Mic 

I played a few songs at Justins Open Mic at The Liberal Club Oaken House in Leamington Spa on 1st May 2016 and the club donated funds to Matt For Matt – cheers Justin Archer and to everyone at The Liberal Club …. and my mate Dave Cook for playing too! Thanks everyone – and its a great Open Mic too!


Banbury Folk Club

I have performed at the Banbury Folk Club and Banbury Folk Festival for many years and the people there are very special. Derek and Mary Droscher are amazing people and those that attend the club are all so friendly. On the 4th May 2016 they put on a special Music For Matt evening with Keith Donnelly leading the night together with Malc Gurnham and Gill Gilsenan, Martyn Oram, Paula and Stuart Tindall and Linda Watkins all performing (not forgetting Richard Watkins on the sound) – which made it a pretty damn good line up! Thank you to everyone involved – I’ve never had so many hugs in such a short space of time!

 


Ursula Holden Gill

LIVERPOOL HALF MARATHON

Our family friend / superstar Ursula Holden Gill kindly ran the Liverpool Half Marathon on Sunday, March 13 2016 to support Matthew’s appeal. Ursula – an actress, musician and storyteller – has done loads of fundraising over the years for lots of causes so to have her support is a brilliant feeling for us. We couldn’t resist heading up to Liverpool for the race and surprising Ursula with our support. Louise, Matthew,  Gemma and her parents all headed up for the race and, with the help of a runner tracker, we spotted Ursula around the 12-mile mark. It was a great moment for all of us. Incredibly, she has smashed her £500 target, raising £3,270 – an amazing achievement.

Thank you so much Ursula!

 


THANKS AGAIN

Contributions to the Ajax to Ajax fund raising page and Ursula’s Half Marathon page includes donations from … Bernard & Sue, Charles Maynard, Georgina Fitton, Stella and Te, Nan Hickerton, Sean Lonergan, Alicia, Sinead Gately, Tim Goundry, Anneka Noon, Freddie Wright, Jenni Stac, Mike and Kate Devereux, Luke Ayris, Ellie Rowley, Tom Devereux, Callum Madden, Darren Feeney, Rob Griffin, Ben Robinson, Lisa Murphy, Claire Burdett, Nikki , Pete, Luke, Matthew & Hannah, Josh Geddes, Kai Geddes, Kath Geddes, Sophie Johnson, Nicky A, Julie & Guy Filhol,Jamie Ciampa, Kirsty, Lisa Poulton, Vince Humby, Sian Javadi, Steve cooper, Jonathan Handford, Kevin De Byrne, Jim & Joy Barry, Mike Atkinson, Gaz Manley, Nan Hickerton, Nicola Brewster, John & Jackie Patterson, Ellie molyneux, Kat Turner, Clare O’Reilly, Pam Ellis ….

…. Chris & Mick Lucey, Olivia – Vogue International, Ann & Leon Sayce, Rebecca Shaw, Sally & Brian Young, Arthus & Mehan, Sam & Louise Weston, Sam Wanless, Lou & Rich, Dave O’Driscoll, Win & Arth, Jules Wells, Betty Campbell, Maureen Hobson, Dave & Vel Johnson, Cassie and Tina, David & Hayley Fitchett, Ben and Helen, Alice Earley, Lesley Bevan, Maidy, Aillie & Duncan, Sophie and Adam Lewis, Claire Latham, Lucy and Bob, Penny Haynes, Martha & Joe, Danny and Amanda Mckendry, Dave Matthews, Dave & Sarah, Emma, James Purcell, Ellie, Helen Mulkeirins, Michael Thomas, Pa, Eamon & Debbie, Lucy-Meg, Yvonne Hammond, Fiona Crowther, Nicholas Rogerson, Daniel Bate, Will Pendred, Anne Warren, Joanna Clifton, Shirley Welsh, Heather O’Sullivan ….

…. Aliki Marcopoli, Emma Davis, Alistair McCartney, Tommy & Treena O’Reilly, Dave & Jackie Gregory, Phillip Brown, Becky and Mikey, Jess and Chris, Olivia Meguer, Campbell McKee, Dave Rog, Elaine Harris, George The Monk,Martin Day, Muttley Wells, Eleanor Carne, Nicole Dudley, Hazel and Andrew, Gill and James, Richard Hoyland, Mark and Katrina Crawford, Monica Clifton, Lisa and Da, Ann Glendon-Doyle, Jen Dulson, Patrick Mulligan, Amelia Gallini, Mary Cannon, Alex Chamberlain, Matt and Claire Roberts, Janet, Win and Arth, Jules Wells, Charles Mcallen, Katrina Mason, Sacha Sutton, Daniel Ciampa, wendy horley, Caroline Endersbee, Claire Elsworth, Sarah Reader, Helen, Aaron Satchwell, Jack Keeling, Ami Paneser, Mike Govier, Bernie, EllenGoodwin (94 yrs), Katie Swindells, Charlie Owen, ITALPIZZA srl Italy …

…. Verity Castle, Pete and Liz, Clare Twycross, Scott Davis, Clara Méndez, Joe Hewison, Stewart Payne, Ian & Fiona Salmon, Margaret Pattenden , Linda O’sullivan. Mich Handford Hank & Jean Handford, Liam Moody, Emmie, John & Carol Canty, Ollie Stuchbury, Theresa Mansfield , Rebecca Lonergan, Malyon family, Laura Ellis, Ben O’Driscoll, Kyle Ball, Sue, Antony Lewis, Sue & Ted, Jay Scriven, Dan Wickes, Dorothy Bigley, Joe Yeates, Sarah Rudge,Chris and Claire, Sonya Heesom, Lorraine Goor, Rachel Law, Steven Aspinall, Vicki Street, Alex and Andy Hickerton, Chrissie Hickerton, Rebecca Cleveley, Barbara Greewal, Dan Brown, Hattie Fellowes, Marina & Bruce, Jacky & Pete, Ruth Males, Mike & Sarah, Monica, Richard and family, Jake McCarthy Phillips, Oliver Canty, Anne Peet, Jon Byrne, Joe Canty, Jane Fellowes …

….  Wendy Ann Williams, Andrew Burridge, Tony Conway, Ryan Timms, Silvia, Tim Micallef, Jack Telford, Graham Binks, Sarah Empson, James Geddes, Ol and Family, Liam Salmon, Niki O’Connell,Gina Creese, Kath and Ian Montgomery, Sonya Heesom, Mel Timms, Christian, The Hoffs, George Keaney, Matt, Shaun Ellis, Harry Conway, Sinead Cannon, Lucy Cook, Paul & Glen Elliott, Kelvin, Thomas Callaghan, Matt Barratt, Kathy Field, Luke Young, Jon Harrington, Mum, Alan Harvey, Nikki Jones, Vince & Chris, The Sherman Family, Lucy, Auntie P, Andrew, John Wright, Heidi Kharbhihm, Diane Caroline and Callum,, Robin and Gill Kaye, Christine Murray, Chris and Pete, Fiona Henderson, Jonathan Waller, B and L Rowley, Nick Broomfield, Jane Hostler (Gallagher), Annie Heawood, Martin and Lisa Bradbury, Lisa Hall, Katherine, Karen Turner, The Meguer Clan!, Charlotte Richardson, Kay and Pete BonehillLiz & Chris, Sonya heesom, John Neal, Chris Pat & Hannah, Peter DelvesIan & Sue Hartland, GEOFF PHIPPS, Rupe, Chris & Jenni, Lynn Owen, Ian Bland, Just Grilles, The Cox Family, Justin Archer, Dave Page, Linda & Richard, John Kearney, Pete Willow, Chele, Mick and Carol Dolby, Bob Brooker ……. and many, many others!!!!! 


ANONYMOUS DONATIONS 

There were also a large amount of anonymous donations and although we don’t know who you are we would like to say a massive Thank You to you all. Some donated through the Ajax To Ajax funding page, others donated via Ursula’s funding page and others put money into an envelope and popped it though our letterbox (we would have loved to say thank you to your face and over a cup of tea). We can guess who some of you are – and we definitely know who others are – but they have asked to remain anonymous.


MATES

There have been others who have constantly helped our family. Sonya was amazing and even turned up one evening out of the blue with groceries. Keith Donnelly came to record at my studio on more than one occasion and ended up just listening to me talking and somehow he still managed to make me laugh (Keith has been amazing). Anna Ryder has also been recording an album at my studio and proved to be a great listener (as well as being an amazing musician and songwriter) and its no wonder that her CD is taking so long to come out, she has had to put up with me blabbing! Our friends Stewart and Jayne have also being amazing (we drank the wine Stuart – thank you!),  Kevin & Wendy have been amazing and so have all my colleagues at work. Also  … P.G, O.R, B.G …. you know who you are!


And lovely things like this…

Thank You!

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Bill Bates 2024