Mark was a larger than life man who packed a huge amount of living into his 51 years. He completed his degree (BVSc), worked in a lovely veterinary practice in Cheshire and then completed his DVR (Diploma in Veterinary Radiology) at Cambridge University. He then embarked on an adventure to study acupuncture in China and then travelled to Australia.
We fell in love and married in Australia before returning to the UK to start and build our own Moy Farm Veterinary Centre. His passion in life was rugby and he played for the local team wherever he was living. His proudest moments were the births of his children Kate and Oscar.
Mark was a hard working man with an exceptionally sharp intellect who wanted to try and help people in any way he could. He poured his heart in curing his many equine and small animal patients. He was also heavily involved in the community as a school governor and on local councils. He desperately wanted to give as much as possible back to the local, rural area in which we live.
Our lives were changed forever when Mark was diagnosed with a Grade IV Glioblastoma Multiforme (a very aggressive brain tumor). This happened very suddenly with Marks only sign being him slurring a few words for 2 days. His brilliant GP, referred him the same day for scans that lead to the rapid diagnosis of what we were told was an inoperable brain tumor and that he had three months to live.
Mark was determined to fight to have longer with his family. This lead to a second opinion, a conscious craniotomy to debulk the tumor, an intensive 6 week course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Mark suffered so many setbacks during his treatment but remained incredibly brave and focused and fought for 16 very precious months. My lovely, strong husband died peacefully at home on 22nd September 2011 with his family.
My children, Kate (15 years) and Oscar (13 years) know how wonderful their Daddy was and we talk about him daily and will continue to do so. We have set up this Fund very quickly after Mark’s death to create something positive to come from our loss and to keep Mark’s memory alive. We miss him and love him so much.
Throughout Mark’s illness it became apparent how little funding is available for research into this devastating illness. We would like to make some small contribution to improving this situation through fundraising for SDBTT. Every pound raised may help spare another family the pain we feel daily.
Thankyou for taking the time to read my story. I hope you will be able to support some of the events we organise or suggest new ways to help us raise money.
Thank you,
Michelle Lingard
OUR FUNDRAISING
The Baek Ho Taekwondo Group from Great Eccleston raised £714.39 with their sponsored swim at Lancaster University pool on Sunday 2nd October 2011. A fantastic effort by many club members ranging from 6 year olds to brave parents!
Donations recieved from so many family, friends and clients from Mark’s funeral have totalled an amazing £3004.00!! We would like to thank everybody who contributed.
Saint Aidans Church Of England High School at Preesall had a non uniform day on 31/10/11. The proceeds were split between three charities and they have donated £230.00 for SDBTT-Mark Lingard Fund. A big thankyou to the school for remembering Mark-he was a parent govenor for quite a few years.
ECN BODYWORKS performed ‘Alice in Pole Wonderland’ on 12/11/11 at the Horshoe Bar at the Pleasure Beach in Blackpool. It was a fantastic charity event organised by Emma Colsey-Nicholls and performed by her talented students. They raised an amazing £2108 in total and donated the whole amount to SDBTT Mark Lingard Fund. We cant thank them enough for choosing our charity and for all their hard work. Mark would have loved this show so it is very fitting!
A Christmas cake raffle was held at Moy Farm Veterinary Centre and raised £120. Special thanks must go to Mrs Whiteside who made the wonderful cake.
James Astbury and Callum Baker (aged 12 and 13 years) cycled 50 miles around the Fylde Coast of Lancashire on a very wet and windy day in December! The wonderful pair raised £115.67 for the Mark Lingard Fund.