Glastonbury fan with terminal cancer to get final wish as hundreds support fundraising drive

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A Glastonbury fan who was diagnosed with cancer in May is to get his dying wish after hundreds of people donated money to enable him to get to this year’s festival. 
Nigel Stonehouse, 58, was diagnosed with cancer in May. He was due to go to Glastonbury, which starts on June 23rd but was told that he was too ill to travel. The former bricklayer was devastated, as he has been going to Glastonbury for over 30 years and he was desperate to get there one more time. 

Hearing of his love for the event, the palliative care team at North Tees Hospital, which is caring for Nigel, encouraged his friends to think about hiring a helicopter. The quote came out at £12,000 and gave Nigel’s friends a fundraising target. The helicopter would enable Nigel to travel to and from the festival with a medical team.
The initial fundraising target of £12,000 was soon surpassed, as donations poured in and people shared the story far and wide. Nigel’s mission even attracted the attention of DJ and Glastonbury stalwart, Fatboy Slim, who wanted to help him fulfil his dying wish. Nigel’s friends have now raised more than £17,000 to fund the trip to what will be his 19th Glastonbury.

Nigel said that he was overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of his friends, the staff at Ward 25 and the public, who donated huge amounts after the story went viral. Nigel’s friend, Lizzie Beggs, said that being at the festival together for one last time will “mean the world.”

Specialist palliative care nurse at North Tees Hospital, Emma Graydon, said that Nigel had been blown away by the reaction. He is excited to have the opportunity to spend time with his friends at an event that means so much to him and everybody is thrilled that he will be going to the festival on Thursday 23rd June.