Mark Blackwell - OPG Basildon Delivery Office Appeal

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LTB 586/14 Mark Blackwell - OPG Basildon Delivery Office Appeal



No. 586/14

Ref: GS16.0

Date: 22nd September 2014

To: All Branches


Dear Colleagues

Mark Blackwell - OPG Basildon Delivery Office Appeal



Essex Amalgamated Branch Secretary John Hunt has made me aware of the unfortunate situation one of his branch member's, Mark Blackwell finds himself in. Mark's granddaughter Eva was diagnosed with neuroblastoma Stage 4 Cancer on the day of her second birthday and she is currently staying in Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Both of Eva's parents are bearing the brunt and the financial pressures of having to take unpaid leave to spend time with their ill daughter. Mark has been supporting them as much as possible however their level of debt has built up.

Eva's Aunt has set up a donation page through which money raised is being used to help the family stay out of debt whilst spending time with their daughter. Donations can be made through the following website http://www.gofundme.com/de6gro" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; or cheques can be made payable to Hayley Blackwell and sent directly to

John Hunt
Branch Secretary
Essex Amalgamated Branch
Short Street
Southend-on-sea
Essex
SS1 1AA

Receipts will be sent for any cheques that John receives.

Please find attached a letter from John Hunt providing greater detail of the situation and reiterating how to donate.

Any enquiries on this LTB should be forwarded to the General Secretary's Office gsoffice@cwu.org, quoting reference GS16.0

Yours sincerely

W HAYES
General Secretary









Dear Colleagues



RE: MARK BLACKWELL - OPG BASILDON DELIVERY OFFICE

On behalf of our named member, the Branch Officers and members of the Essex Amalgamated Branch respectfully appeal for financial assistance to assist our member's family hardship.

Mark Blackwell works as an OPG in Basildon Delivery Office and is also the CWU Local Distribution Representative in his office. After many months of illness it was discovered that Mark's granddaughter Eva has a 13cm tumour and was diagnosed last week on her 2nd birthday with Nuroblastoma Stage 4 Cancer and she is currently staying in Great Ormand Street Hospital.

Unfortunately, both parents are employed by companies who do not pay their staff when they are on sick leave and this has now meant that financially the family are going to be unable to pay their everyday bills and support their daughter in hospital. Up to this point Mark has tried to support his granddaughter's family financially as much as he can and has managed to keep the level of debt as low as he can, however a level of debt has been built up. Obviously, her parents want to spend as much time as they can with their daughter going forward and this will not be possible unless some financial support is forthcoming.

The long term prognosis is unknown and the family were informed that there is a 50/50 chance of survival following a treatment plan which has now been put in place. The treatment plan will not be short and it is anticipated that a long term prognosis will not be known for in excess of 3 months.

Mark has indicated that any donations will be used to fund the continued support for the family through this difficult time and should the prognosis not be positive, make what little time Eva has left as comfortable and enjoyable as can be.

A donation's web page has been set up in the hope that donations will be made which will assist Eva's parents in their time of need. All donations go directly to the family and not as some charitable websites process donations through a central pool.

Mark and his family would greatly appreciate any size donation to this fund and would ask for your support at this very difficult time.

Donations can be made directly to the website through the following link http://www.gofundme.com/de6gro" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; or cheques can be made payable to ‘Hayley Blackwell' and sent directly to John Hunt, Branch Secretary, Essex Amalgamated Branch, Short Street, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS1 1AA, receipts will be sent by return for any donation kindly given.

Mark would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of you in anticipation of your support at this very difficult time.

Yours sincerely

John Hunt
Branch Secretary

[Ray Von]

I wish you and your family all the best. Ive made a donation and its a simple process which takes seconds!!!