Capt G W Anglin's Care Home Fund

Capt. Gary Anglin - a decorated army veteran, a man of loyalty, honour and moral stability but most of all a family man. A man who took boundless love and passion into his profession, a man who would move mountains to provide for the British army, a man who represents the sheer foundation and intentions of the Armed forces to protect and serve our great nation and he did so with an iron fist. My Dad (Husband for 40 years, father to daughters and grandfather) worked vigorously in the army adopting certain roles that would go above what is typically expected of an Officer in his position and to do something like that is truly a commendable act. Such acts were recognised with multiple Commendations from high ranking officials such as the GOC.

My Dad, the hero we all love as a family was taken into hospital on 18th November 2014 and has been an inpatient since. Dad was diagnosed with an Anaplastic Astrocytoma (an aggressive malignant brain tumour) in December 2014 after undergoing two neuro brain surgery operations, the latter being one that would save his life. There is no cure for this type of tumour and not all of it was able to be removed during surgery; due to this and the fact that what remains is now behaving like a Grade4 tumour Dad has been advised not to plan beyond a year. Dad recently completed a  course of radiotherapy and is due to start chemotherapy after MRI scans to assertain how well the radiotherapy has worked.

Dad being prepared for a radiotherapy treatment

Sadly in August 2014 after serving 40 years in the British armed forces Dad had reached the age of which he had to retire. During his 40 years of service Dad moved up the ranks, enlisting as a Private and retiring as a Captain. He is a veteran of the Northern Ireland conflicts with 8 tours and has been awarded various medals and awards for his service, he also recently received a Commendation whilst in hospital for his service to the armed forces and passionate charity work. This was presented on behalf of General Sir Nicholas Carter, The Chief of the General Staff KCB CBE DSO ADC Gen.


Dad has been a committed and dedicated soldier with a giving and caring nature, which saw him mastermind many fund raising events for ‘The London Welfare and Benevolent Fund’ raising approximately £150,000. Dad would also volunteer his time and expertise to assist large corporate businesses such as Sainsbury’s with their own fund raising endeavours.  As well as this, for five years Dad would volunteer his personal time every Thursday evening to train soldiers in maintaining their bodies physically and mentally and he would also teach in the art of Krav Maga. He is still volunteering even as he lays in his hospital bed, as Dad has given permission for the neurosurgical researchers to use samples of blood and samples from his brain tumour to be used for analysis and research into finding a cure for brain tumours. He also agreed for the surgical team to use new procedures during his surgery.

GPS mapping before Dad's surgery

My Dad is now at a stage where the hospital are ready to discharge him as he is medically stable but he requires 24 hour nursing and medical care as the disease has left Dad with little to no movement of his left limbs and limited movement in the right, his eye sight is also deteriorating. After having an Occupational Therapists assessment on the family home it has been deemed unsuitable for Dad to return there at this time as extremely costly renovations would be required to ensure it is safe and accessible. This has left us as a family to make a most difficult and heart-wrenching decision – to find a suitable nursing home. But Capt Gary Anglin a passionate family man would rather be at home with his loved ones. My Dad never took a day off sick in his whole career and hardly ever had to visit the GP and it pains me to see my once healthy, fit, strong and independent Dad in this position. He deserves the best and more still.

Dad during one of many fund raising events 

In recognition for what my Dad has accomplished and achieved we would like to afford him the best for his end of life - that would be the opportunity for him to enjoy a military based nursing home. We want Dad to enjoy a home that will offer strong military connections and links; where he can enjoy the company of and reminisce with like-minded individuals and where the nursing and care staff understand, appriciate and respect his miltary background. This environment will mean Dad can enjoy some of his retirement and have his loving family around him.

We would love to raise £150,000 in the same way my Dad did but we are not asking for this one single donation, we are appealing for your help so Dad is able to enjoy the best care possible.  Fees for this type of care are in the region of £1090 per week. For this to happen we will need to raise enough money to see him through his stay at such a care home. I believe my Dads hard work and dedication of service to the Armed forces, Queen and country are deserving of your kind donations of which will largely help our loved one to live the rest of his life in the best way possible. 

Dad proudly holding his Commendation with myself

My Dad  has worked endlessly and pushed boundaries for our country and its Army and I only feel it is morally right to give some of that same love, passion and dedication back to him, and I hope you share the same understanding.

 
Thank you for taking the time to read this appeal. 
Marsha
(on behalf of the family)