Mr Joe Longthorne MBE Memorial (Hull) Re-assigned

A  MEMORIAL  STATUE  TO  BE  ERECTED  IN  HIS  HOME  TOWN  OF  HULL,  FOR  THE  UNIQUE  MAN,  
SINGER  &  VERY MUCH MISSED ENTERTAINER THAT  WAS;  MR  JOE  LONGTHORNE  MBE  31/5/55 - 3/8/19


23/5/20 
NEW ANNOUNCEMENT     NEW ANNOUNCEMENT       NEW ANNOUNCEMENT       NEW ANNOUNCEMENT
(I have left everything else in place, for any new visitors to this page to view, should they wish to)

 
Over these past several months, I think it's safe to say that everyones life has changed; some in more ways than others and some more drastically still;  in my own humble opinion, I don't feel that life for any of us can ever be quite the same again.  For many of us, life had already dealt us a colossal, still at times seemingly unsurmountable blow last August when Joe passed away and then of course, came this horrendous virus on top of that..
Mr Simon Woolston from Heavenly Services in Hull, a long standing personal friend of Joes whose company cared for him whilst at his sister Anns home and during his procession through Hull, first had the beautiful idea of a statue for Joe within his home town. This became even more relevant when tragically the promise of Joe being buried in Hull when that terrible time came, was reneged upon at the last minute;..hence even more reason for a lasting tribute to Joe to be placed in Hull, for his sister, family, close friends and of course a great many fans, who would then have somewhere as a focal point to pay their respects.  Joes eldest sister Ann, Simon and myself took part in a 'conference call' to work things out and so began this fund.  We had fundraisers, raffles and  special evenings set aside for the cause for this 2020 year, none of which can now be held of course...and so..
rather than just sit on this money when it could be doing some good, it is going to be donated as follows instead;

Ann decided she would like it to go to the NHS and in this situation we are all in, nobody could argue with that.
It is, in the midst of this pandemic, what Joe would have wanted and we know that without a shadow of a doubt.
Ann and I then discussed this and decided that it should be split between the five hospitals where Joe himself had received treatment over the years.
Kevin..Anns husband and myself then said at virtually the same time, that it would be nice if it could go to the Patient Amenities Funds within the Oncology Departments of those hospitals.

Ann spoke with Simon and Brian; Simon confirmed he is in the final stages of having his tribute to Joe installed at his Heavenly Services premises, which anyone will of course be able to visit in the future, when 'these times' permit.  Councillors have contacted Ann and regarding Joes Blue Plaque, which is again sadly affected by the present times, but which will be erected as soon as feasibly possible.  I contacted all the lovely people who had very kindly made donations to the fund, to make sure they were in agreement and these funds now have a new destiny, thanks to everyone involved...not least Mr Joe Longthorne MBE of course, because we do it in his name.

The Patient Amenity Funds for the Oncology Departments (or the closest alternative fund any of the hospitals  run internally for their Cancer patients) at the hospitals who will receive donations from our JOE LONGTHORNE MBE GoFundMe fundraiser are as follows;
 
LEEDS GENERAL INFIRMARY
BLACKPOOL VICTORIA HOSPITAL
ROYAL PRESTON HOSPITAL
ROYAL MANCHESTER INFIRMARY
CASTLE HILL HOSPITAL, HULL 

We would very much like to do this for Joes birthday and would sincerely welcome any further donations up until that time.

THE MORE WE CAN GET, THE MORE WE CAN GIVE  &  THEY WILL RECEIVE EVERY PENNY, GUARANTEED!

******************************************************THANK YOU******************************************************

OUR ORIGINAL APPEAL                                                                                       
**We are extremely proud to confirm that Hon. Alderman Brian Petch,
Almoner to The City of Kingston Upon Hull, former Lord Mayor, Councillor and sadly now widower of Brenda Petch, former Councillor and Lord Mayor in her own right, fully supports this Fundraiser; as Almoner, Brian will be kept fully advised on any aspects of this venture, as he sees fit.  We are delighted to have Brians' official consent to fundraise for Joes' Memorial Statue in Hull and as a former entertainer himself who Joe had the honour of working with many many years ago now, Brian approves so whole- heartedly with this cause, that he is actively participating in fundraising activities himself.  Hon. Alderman Brian Petch, Almoner of Hull; Brian, everyone involved thanks you so very very much indeed. xx**  

As a long standing friend of the family,  former Personal Assistant, Secretary and close friend for well over 40 years to the man himself, I am honoured to have been asked by Mrs Ann White nee Longthorne.. the head of the Longthorne Family and Joes elder sister, to operate and administer this Official Go Fund Me Page, for the above purpose, which I vow to do honestly and correctly.  This fund is allied to the original memorial fund, which was set up after Joe's funeral by Mrs Ann White and Mr Simon Woolston of Heavenly Services Funeral Directors, the company who cared for Joe during his night of repose at his sisters home and the subsequent tribute through the streets of Hull the following day.  All funds raised will be amalgamated and used solely for the memorial statue;  this is all  very much about Joe. 

Very sadly Joe was not  buried close to his parents in Hull, which is why he absolutely deserves a long term memorial in his hometown and for everyone involved, striving to get it is the most important thing they will ever do.  So please;  if Joe touched, affected or changed your life in any way; be that through his music, his concerts, personal appearances, or by any private conversations you may have had with him, please donate to help us to reach our target and spread the word along your way.  

Joe was generous to a fault in life, despite so many personal set backs financial and otherwise; not to mention his illness which spanned an incredible 32 years;  he kept on fighting, he kept on trying and he was a shining example to so many people suffering from similar illnesses, or sometimes completely different problems..he was a good listener for sure and he cared. 
So let's join together to give a bit back and show Joe how we feel about him right now and how we will always feel about this man, whose strength, bravery, talent, sense of humour and uniqueness, impressed and captivated us all for so long.  Joe was such a very very special man in so many different ways, but I'm sure nobody reading this needs me to tell you that! 

Thank you all so much,  Rita x