‘Michelle has a lot less time than we hoped’
The brother of Michelle Cook, who is fund-raising to allow her to complete her bucket list, has providing a devastating update on her condition.
Gerard Wheatley, a service manager from Peterlee, set up an online fundraiser in the hopes of raising money to allow his sister, Michelle Cook, to fulfil her bucket list after it was revealed that she has incurable lung cancer.
Michelle, aged 49 from Peterlee, battled breast cancer in 2015, but she was sadly diagnosed with incurable lung cancer in February this year and is undergoing treatment at St Benedict’s Hospice in Ryhope, Sunderland.
Michelle is mum to Aisha, 29, Megan, 26, Poppy, 25, Ben, 24, Daniel, 22 and Carter, 20 – with Gerard hoping to raise enough money to send them all and her partner John Turnbull on the trip of a lifetime.
So far, the 46-year-old has managed to raise over £3,000 in less than two weeks in hopes that he could give his sister and her family the trip of a lifetime and the chance to create some more memories before she passes away.
He said: “I just wanted to give Michelle and the family an opportunity to do something that they wouldn’t possibly have been able to do, with her bucket list trip being Bali or The Maldives.
"I basically want to allow them to create as many memories as possible with whatever time that she has left.
"Michelle is a well-loved woman who has so much respect from everyone.
"I’ve been taken aback by the response that the fundraiser has had.”
However, on Thursday, May 13, Gerard has shared a devastating update via the Go Fund Me page, which has tragically put an end to the plans.
The update said: “So here we are, devastating news that sis has a lot less time than we hoped and thought.
“Had the privilege of her and the family's company today. Sun was shining and had a KFC at Michelle's request. Small memories that meant the world.
“Your donations and efforts will never be forgotten, not by me or the family or most of all Michelle.
“Much love to each and every one of you. Have to give a massive thank you to the staff of St Benedict's hospice. Amazing staff and caring people."