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Inspirational fundraiser hits £10,000 target in Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

Andy McKay, 66 year old musician from Carlisle, has smashed his original fundraising target of £10,000 for Pancreatic Cancer Action in November, Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

Andy has raised the incredible amount from his ‘Happy Henry Round Britain Tour’ which saw him drive his 90-year-old car on a 3,000 mile journey around the country, raising funds and awareness of the disease.

He set of on his journey in his Morris Cowley, Happy Henry, in July raising awareness throughout the country before reluctantly having to cut his trip short due to a mechanical breakdown near Exeter.

Andy Says, “Although the drive was unfortunately cut short, I’m absolutely thrilled that we have topped the £10, 000 target and would like to thank all the wonderful people who have helped to make it possible. There are too many to thank individually but to all those who have helped in some way or have donated. Thank you so much.”

“Equally important are the amount of opportunities to raise awareness that the project has created all around the UK.”

“I will never know but, perhaps, our efforts have helped or will help in some way to save a life. That is what it is all about. I lost my wife, Lyn, in 2013 and our awareness of the disease was practically zero.”

“Happy Henry is currently being fixed and will recommence the journey in 2018 to continue to raise funds to support the excellent work being done by the Pancreatic Cancer Action team, without whose help this would not have been possible.”

Pancreatic cancer is the UK’s 5th biggest cancer killer. The survival rate is just 5% which is the lowest of any cancer.

Pancreatic Cancer Action is committed to working towards earlier diagnosis of the disease so that surgery, currently the only cure, is made available to the sufferer.  The charity fund research into early diagnosis, provide medical education programmes, and launch awareness campaigns.

Ali Stunt, Founder of Pancreatic Cancer Action, said: “We are so delighted that Andy has given so much of his time to support Pancreatic Cancer Action in this amazing challenge. We were very sorry to hear about Andy’s wife Lyn, it is such a lovely way to honour her memory.”

“We rely solely on donations from the public and thanks to people like Andy that we can continue our vital work. We are absolutely thrilled that Andy has raised such a fantastic amount, he has put so much hard work into his challenge.”

You can donate to Andy here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/HappyHenrysChallenge