Call Sign October 2011
Page 7
Mickey Gordelier's
Several years ago, former Dial-a-Cab driver
Mickey Gordelier (ex-L27) was given
between one and three years to live after
brave fight for life ends
being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease
(MND). He then began a long association
with Greenwich & Bexley Cottage
Hospice in Abbey Wood.
"The most telling thing is that in the three
Mick told Call Sign that while he accepted
years I've been coming here, I've not once
that he needed hospice care, he had no
watched the television. I come in to talk to
intention of leaving this life anytime soon!
people. Before you know it, it is quarter to
Although he shared his time between the
three, you're putting your coat on and you're
hospice and home with Sue, his loving wife
wondering where the time went!"
of 32 years, Mick told us that the care he
Mick never complained about his situa-
received at the hospice was nothing short of
tion. He was 56 and together with Sue
magnificent. So much so that he wrote to us
they had three children. He told this
last year to see if we could help a campaign
magazine last year that he'd had such an
the hospice was running aptly named after
enjoyable life, a wonderful family,
Mickey because the suggestion of raising
friends and even said how much he had
funds for another hospice nurse came from
enjoyed his job as a licensed taxi driver
him! His aim was £30,000 and he beat that
on Dial-a-Cab.
total raising almost £32,000.
Mickey and Sue in happier times
But on 22 August Mickey's brave fight
Mickey also beat the odds with his own
for life came to a peaceful end.
and all the staff at the Hospice to carry on
life, living with his illness far longer
Hospice care is free, so fund raising is how
making the most of what I have. The level of
than the doctors thought until finally
they have to get most of their much-needed
care, support and friendship I receive at the
slipping away peacefully in his sleep on
revenue. As we all know because Mickey
Hospice is nothing less than magnificent and
22 August.
told us last year - taxi drivers aren't famous
I've made so many friends from all walks of
Mick began fundraising to demonstrate his
for minding their own business! So Mickey
life. I'm proud to be here. If I had to say
appreciation of the care that he had been
Gordelier decided to step in and launch his
thank you to all the staff and volunteers who
given at the Hospice. He told Call Sign at
appeal! What a memorial it would be to him
are now so close to my heart 1000 times, it
the time that the public just didn't know
if we all decided to help our local hospice
would not be enough. I am so lucky and
enough about hospices and palliative care
whenever they asked for help. One way or
grateful to have met each of them and will
and that the care he received there was just
another, Mickey will be there to thank you.
always be in their debt."
unique. As well as benefiting from the dedi-
His journey for this world ended on 7
His time at the hospice was often based
cation and expertise of the nurses, Mick thor-
September at Eltham Crematorium. Rest in
around his appeal and last year he was quot-
oughly enjoyed his visits to the Day Centre.
peace, Mick...
ed as saying:
He told us: "I feel I owe it to Sue, my family
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