Ian was diagnosed in September 2003 with a Gliomatosis Cerebri, following a few weeks of suffering from severe headaches. Ian was 29, at the time, married to Angela, for 3 years, all their hopes and dreams ahead of them. In December 2003, Ian had a fit and ended up in ICU in a coma for 2 months. As he came out of his coma gradually, we realised that Ian could not see, as the pressure in Ian’s brain during the coma had damaged the optic nerves, but despite this Ian learnt with great difficulty to talk, walk, and basically learn to live again although this was very limited, as Ian needed the use of a wheelchiar for great distances, and personal care.
Ian was able to be home for his 30th birthday party, with his family and friends, it was a miracle, a day we thought we would never see. Later that year, 2004, Ian began to deteriorate and needed 6 weeks of radiotherapy, and following routine scans, Ian’s tumour was in remission and in 2005, we were able to enjoy a better quality of life, in going to watch Ian’s favourite football team, AFC Wimbledon, going on the Lourdes Pilgrimage and doing as much as we could, bearing in mind Ian’s disablity and need. (Ian was on Clomipramine from December 2004). We thought we had turned a corner, and with Ian’s fight to battle on, we continued to live as best we could each day.
In March 2006, following another scan, we were told that the tumour was on the move again, and Ian required chemotherapy in the form of Temozolomide. It was now classified as a Glioblastoma Multiforme. At first things were looking better, but unfortunately we began to see a deterioration in Ian, and despite months of treatment, Ian deteriorated further. Ian was admitted into the Woking Hospice at the end of September 2006, and following another scan in October, which showed a very bleak picture, Ian died on 13th October with Angela, and his close family around him. He was 32.
Ian accepted his illness from the beginning, he learnt to cope as best he could, with a great deal of help from Angela and his family. His courage and fortitude was just amazing, and he will be remembered for his bravery, beautiful smile, the joy he brought to so many people, whose lives have been touched by Ian. He is an inspiration to us all.
We miss you Ian, so much, life is so cruel, remember those hopes and dreams we had, well they are locked away in my heart, but your memory Ian will live on forever. We have always been positive, and lived in hope, and our faith helped us through, and by setting up Ian’s fund through SDBTT I hope to continue that positive attitude, I know I have Ian’s blessing in raising awareness and funds with the aim to eventually find that cure that we all so desperately want.
Angela Widdup
2011 Fundraising
Christmas Card Sale – December 2011
Angela successfully sold Christmas cards at a local fair and and raised nearly £160!
AFC Wimbledon
Ian’s dream to see AFC Wimbledon back in the football league has now been realised and in honour, his wife Angela is sponsoring the match on Saturday 15th October. To make a donation to this great cause, please send cheques to: SDBTT Ian Widdup Fund, 100 Reading Road, Yateley, GU46 7RX.
LeJog
At the end of June, Ian’s brother Matt and his girlfriend Jo will be taking on a rather large challenge!
Cycling the length of the UK from Lands End to John O’Groats, the pair aim to cycle 100 miles each day as they hope to complete the entire ride in just 11 days.
For more information and to sponsor Matt and Jo’s cycle, please click here.
Tea Party
On Sunday 10th April, Angela Widdup opened up her home for a tea party in memory of Ian.
The party had a blue and yellow theme (in honour of Ian’s beloved football team, AFC Wimbledon), and Angela had some of the club’s football shirts, Ian’s football flag and other football memorabilia on display.
Guests included family and friends, who all enjoyed the day in the warm sunshine. Not content with simply providing tea for her guests, Angela arranged a bring and buy stall, raffle, tea quiz and cake sale!
Many thanks to Angela and her supporters on the day, who raised a fantastic £108.85 for the SDBTT Ian Widdup Fund.
A to Z of marathons
Ian’s brother Matthew (pictured above left) has chosen to undertake a very impressive challenge: to run a marathon for each letter of the alphabet before his 40th birthday – all in aid of the SDBTT Ian Widdup Fund. To learn more and to sponsor Matthew in this epic feat, please click here.
Matthew has a blog to allow readers to keep track of his progress – you can read the blog by clicking here.
Many thanks and good luck Matthew!
2010 Fundraising
Nov 2010: Angela recently hosted a Christmas Tea Party, raising £140.11. Congratulations to Angela and many thanks to those who attended!
Tea Party
Angela will be hosting a tea party on Sunday 11 April 2010 at 2pm at her home. Donations of cakes and raffle prizes will be welcome. There will also be a Bring and Buy Sale.
Please contact Angela by email for more information about this event.
2009 Fundraising
Christmas Bazaar
Ian's Mum waiting for customers to arrive!
Ian’s Mum & I organised a stall at the local Church Christmas Bazaar on Saturday 28th November and raised a fine sum of £139.78 for Ian’s Fund. People were very generous on the day which is always so encouraging.
A selection of goodies
Waitrose West Byfleet
Lots of shoppers throughout the month of September voted with their green tokens and chose to support Ian’s Fund. We were really thrilled with the outcome and hope to get another slot in the future. It’s a very simple but effective way of fundraising for SDBTT!
Over £300.00 was raised for Ian's Fund!
Concert – St Johns Church, West Byfleet by the Weybridge Male Voice Choir
There was a concert for Ian’s fund on Saturday 27th June, where £1300 was raised for the fund.
Tea Party
Angela held a Tea Party, including bring and buy sale and raffle, at home on Sunday 26th April. An amazing £203.05 was raised.
Bucket collection
150.77 was raised in a bucket collection after the match at AFC Wimbledon, where our nephew, was a mascot for the day. This was to fulfill Uncle Ian’s wish to be a mascot at his beloved AFC Wimbledon on 10th April 2009.
2008 Fundraising
Christmas Fair
The Christmas Fair held on Saturday, 29th November was a great success, where Angela raised a total of £111.41.
Concert by the Weybridge Male Voice Choir
The concert held on Saturday, 5th April 2008 at St John’s Church, West Byfleet was a great success. Over £2,600 was raised.
Flower Show & Fete
Angela raised £172.52 at the Pyrford and Wisley Flower show, on 12th July 2008. Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the Fund.
Women’s Hydro Active 5K, Hyde Park
Angela took part in this high profile race and raised a fantastic £257 plus Gift Aid for Ian’s Fund. Well done Angela! If you would like to add anything, give the charity a call on 0845 130 9733.
2007 Fundraising
Ian’s brother, Matthew Widdup ran in the London 10K event in July followed by the Bristol Half Marathon on 9th September. He will also take part in the Toronto Marathon on 30th September! Matthew has a Justgiving page on which you can make a donation.
Angela Widdup’s neighbour, Shan Hughes ran in the Hydro Women’s Challenge on 16th September in aid of Ian’s fund. She completed the 5 km in 40 minutes and 12 seconds and so far has raised a wonderful £810 for the Fund. Well done Shan and thank you! It is not too late to support Shan by visiting her Justgiving page.
Shan after her run
On 30th September, a Tea Party, Bring and Buy and Raffle was held at home for the Fund.
AFC Wimbledon – match sponsorship on 6th October 2007
The club at AFC Wimbledon have been a great support over the years and Saturday was no exception. The day went really well, a very emotional day, you can imagine, but such a special way to remember my darling Ian, enjoying a game of football played by his team. We were treated like VIPs fed and watered, everyone looked after us with such care and love.
We were able to wander around the pitch at half-time and raised a staggering £559.68. Everyone was so generous and just amazing and it was a very special day for us all. I know Ian is proud of us all, and Ian we are so so proud of you too.
Angela and Ian in their AFC Wimbledon shirts
Bristol Car Wash
To all those with clean cars in the Bristol Area who supported this event on 13th October, thank you. Ian’s brother raised £172.61.
Christmas Bazaar – 1st December
Angela had a stall and sold SDBTT Christmas Cards plus some handmade cards. There were also toiletries and bric-a-brac gift ideas too along with homemade cakes and mince pies.
Who could resist such a well laid out stall?!
If you would like to make a donation to Ian’s Fund please visit his Justgiving page.