Hello, my name is Sue , and I have created this funding appeal to ask for your help for my dearest friends of over 30 years. Richard and Sara.

Help is urgently needed to raise funds for the vital, life‑extending treatments Richard now requires.

As you’ll read below, Richard has spent years dedicating his time, energy, and heart to helping others—often putting their needs before his own. Now, in his greatest moment of need, it’s our turn to stand by him.

Every donation, no matter the size, helps ease the immense financial pressure Richard and Sara are facing. Your support will go directly toward:

Advanced Cancer‑Fighting Treatment

Richard and Sara are urgently exploring treatment options that could extend Richard’s life and improve his quality of life. After meeting with his oncologist, they have been advised to privately fund a medication called Avastin — a treatment that is not currently available on the NHS for brain tumours.

The cost is overwhelming: £3,000 per treatment cycle, and Richard will need three cycles to begin with. This is an expense no family should have to face alone, especially during such a frightening and uncertain time.

Richard has always been the person who shows up for others. Now, we have the chance to show up for him. Your generosity will make a real and immediate difference in helping keep this selfless, extraordinary man with us for as long as possible.

Any donation, will help towards this overwhelming financial pressure.

ABOUT RICHARD AND SARA

Last year Richard was diagnosed with the most aggressive form of brain cancer, 'Glioblastoma Multiforme'. Please click on the link to read more about this horrendous disease: https://www.thebraintumourcharity.org/brain-tumour-diagnosis-treatment/types-of-brain-tumour-adult/glioblastoma/

This fundraiser has been set up , not just to support Richard and Sara as they navigate life following the diagnosis, but also for the immense challenges it has bought, personally and financially.

It was January 2025. Richard and Sara had just moved into their new home in Wales; a place rooted in their shared passions of nature, sustainability, and community, where they were lovingly transforming it into their own perfect haven.

They had planned to spend their life enjoying nature walks, the local bird and wildlife and living gently on the land, as a couple who find genuine, deep joy in the outdoors.

Within a month, Richard became very unwell and after many tests and scans, March brought the heart-breaking news of the diagnosis of a brain tumour.

Richard underwent surgery to remove the tumour, followed by several bouts of hardcore Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy. Despite these gruelling treatments, Richard faces his illness with extraordinary courage and determination, doing everything in his power to continue living; switching to wholefoods to try and starve the cancer, healthy woodland, and coastal walks, entertaining friends and family and most importantly, making memories.

Richard is now medically retired and Sara has stepped away from her job so she can be by his side and care for him, round the clock.

Prior to this devastating diagnosis, Richard had an extensive career.

Earlier in life in Hospitality, as a Chef and Manager; then later Economic Development became a big passion for him, where he worked on many initiatives to improve the economy in Berkshire and Oxfordshire.

For instance, Richard helped establish 'Connect Reading', a corporate social responsibility charity, whose purpose is creating connections which positively impact the local community, local environment and local economy. https://connectreading.org.uk/

Richard was also a Chair of Trustees for 'Green Health Thames Valley', a charity dedicated to improving well-being through nature-based activities and growing food produce. His commitment to helping others, truly speaks volumes about the kind of person he is.

https://greenhealththamesvalley.org.uk/2023/05/a-big-thank-you-and-farewell-to-richard-our-chair-of-trustees/

PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO READ THE TOUCHING AND HEARTFELT TRIBUTES SHARED BY RICHARD'S FRIENDS AND FORMER COLLEAGUES.

"Celebrating a Career of Quiet Leadership, Lasting Impact, and Unmatched Dedication"

For anyone who knows Richard Byard—or has even simply crossed paths with him professionally—it comes as no surprise that he has never sought the spotlight. Praise, recognition, or public celebration have never been his motivation. In fact, Richard has often preferred to step back rather than step forward.

Yet his impact across Oxfordshire over more than a decade is far too significant, far too far‑reaching, and far too deeply felt to remain unspoken. This tribute is long overdue.

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A Transformational Influence on Oxfordshire’s Business Landscape

During his years as Director of Business Development at OxLEP (now Enterprise Oxfordshire), Richard championed businesses, education providers, and individuals across every corner of the county—and beyond. His personable, warm, and quietly confident approach has supported thousands of businesses, entrepreneurs, and budding innovators, many of whom saw their small ideas grow into major achievements thanks in part to his guidance.

His leadership contributed to the creation and safeguarding of thousands of jobs, while countless people left meetings with him feeling more hopeful, more energised, and more inspired about the future.

Under Richard’s direction, numerous programmes designed to help people access meaningful employment, develop new skills, and forge powerful connections between business and education became genuinely transformative.

Richard’s belief in the potential of people has always been a defining feature of his professional life.

A Trusted Voice and a Steady Guide

Though never one to seek the limelight, Richard became a reliable and reassuring spokesperson during media appearances, keynote events, and podcasts. With trademark wit, calmness, and profound knowledge, he communicated the region’s story with clarity and confidence.

Internally, he has been the steady hand on the tiller, lifting colleagues during difficult moments and navigating the uncertainties of a constantly shifting national LEP landscape. His determination to champion the work of the organisation—and the people within it—never wavered.

A Man of Humility, Generosity, and Dry Humour

Those closest to Richard often speak of his selflessness, his willingness to give his time freely, and his wonderfully dry sense of humour, always arriving at just the right moment. These traits have made him not only a respected leader but also a deeply valued friend.

A Call to Support

Today, as Richard faces a period of significant personal challenge, his colleagues, former colleagues, and friends at Enterprise Oxfordshire are coming together to support him. They encourage everyone who knows Richard—or has been touched by his work—to rally behind the initiative to help fund his ongoing, vital treatment.

With Gratitude

This tribute comes with heartfelt thanks from all who have worked alongside Richard, learned from him, or benefited from his quiet but powerful influence.

-From his colleagues, former colleagues, and friends at Enterprise Oxfordshire.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this, for your kindness, and for any support you’re able to give — whether through donating or sharing this page.

With much gratitude and love.