Many of us are still reeling from the fact that Mel Cook, editor of the Nottingham Post, is no longer with us. Mel died more than a month ago and his funeral was packed to the rafters with the great and the good of regional newspapers. If you missed the tribute to him, it is here. Now his partner Helen (pictured with Mel) is working hard to ensure his memory burns brightly. Helen and Mel's paper are marking his birthday, November 8, by sponsoring a day at Maggie's, a cancer support centre in the grounds of Nottingham City Hospital. Friends, family and colleagues are trying to raise at least £2,400, the amount it costs a day to support patients at the centre. Some of the Post's staff have already organised a cake sale, others are competing in the Ikano Robin Hood half-marathon and there will be a vintage tea party. If you knew Mel, and even if you didn't, here are a couple of dates for the diary - a fundraising barbecue on the August 24 and a charity ball on April 1 next year, the anniversary of Mel's death.
A friend of Mel's jumped out of a plane on Sunday and one of his nieces is running the Race For Life in his memory. Helen's reasons for the campaign are clear: 'Even during his own adversity and distress he wanted more than anything to help others suffering this terrible disease, emotionally and physically. By marking this event in honour of Mel to raise much needed funds his legacy and spirit lives on to help others.'
If you have any ideas on how to support Helen, please let me know and I will pass them on. And if you want to make a donation to the Post's fundraising page, you can do so here.
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