Hi, we are Odette and Grainne two ladies on a mission to raise some funds for our good friend Bobby Daniels, who is only 37 years old. Bobby was diagnosed with Tongue cancer back in May this year. It is the news that you never want to hear. Bobby and his family took the news with an attitude that we will fight this and get over it!! Bobby also has two young children aged 13 and 9.

After various tests and scans, he was admitted to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital on 2nd July to have a subtotal glossectomy (which is more than half but less than all). This involved removing the tumour and reconstructing the tongue with a skin graft from his leg, and for good measure they removed all lymph nodes from his neck at the same time!! He was given a tracheostomy to ensure that he was able to breath after the op, should his new tongue swell and block his airways. It was a ten-hour, plus, operation and the team of surgeons and plastic surgeons, ‘Bobby’s Hero’s’, were pleased with how the operation went.

The long road to recovery has commenced, he was in hospital for over three weeks, and was allowed home after a RIG was fitted to allow liquid feed to be fed through his stomach. He now faces the challenges of learning how to use his new tongue, to enable him to do two of his favourite things, eating and talking! He has six weeks radiotherapy to look forward to in the very near future. Just imagine teaching yourself these basic skills and hope the outcome is what Bobby, his family and friends pray for, with the additional worry of a financial burden. We can’t be Bobby’s ‘NHS Heroes’ but we feel we can definitely reduce the stress that financial worries bring.

Bobby has faced this with bravery that he didn’t know he had, his humour has helped immensely. To avoid the family sending out multiple updates to his family and friends, he set up a Whatsap group to keep everyone updated. This has turned into a ‘blog’ that we all look forward to reading every day, he is hilarious.

If you have read this far, thank you. To face your worst nightmare is bad enough, but to be self employed with no income, and sadly no insurance, is another story.

Bobby is a proud man and hates the idea of this, but he has received messages from so many people that want to help, he has reluctantly agreed to us organising this.

It is also a way of getting across to as many people as possible the importance of regular dental checks, they look after your tongue and mouth as well as your teeth.

Bobby has great support from a Facebook group called ‘Young Tongues’, who would know how common this awful disease is. Bobby is determined to help other sufferers in any way he can when he has recovered.

Any donation will be greatly appreciated

Thank you

Odette and Grainne ❤️