Memorial for Devon farmer to help charity
AMEMORIAL service to celebrate the life of an “enthusiastic” cattle breeder from Exeter will also raising vital awareness of the disease he suffered from.
Tom Turner passed away in May 2020 from Pulmonary Fibrosis, a condition in which the lungs become scarred and breathing is increasingly difficult.
Known by many members of the Northamptonshire farming community - and more recently Devon - he was a keen and progressive Young Farmers’ Clubs (YFC) supporter with links to clubs based in Kettering, Thrapston and Newton St Cyres.
An enthusiastic Gelbvieh cattle breeder, Tom was also a keen advocate of the breed and chairperson of the British Gelbvieh Cattle Society, and member of the South West National Beef Association (NBA).
Away from farming, other interests included travel, woodwork, Exeter Male Voice Choir and karaoke.
Survived by his wife Elizabeth and three daughters Christine, Jill and Sally, the memorial service taking place on Saturday, October 16 will help to raise awareness and funds for the Exeterbased charity EPIC (Exeter Patients in Collaboration for Pulmonary Fibrosis).
Anna Duckworth, from EPIC, explains: “Pulmonary Fibrosis, which means lung scarring, is the late stage of a group of illnesses called Interstitial Lung Diseases (ILDs). These diseases are thought to be caused by a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental exposures. One example of an ILD is farmer’s lung, which is usually treatable and is caused by breathing in mould that grows on hay, straw and grain.
“Another is bird fancier’s lung, caused by breathing in particles from feathers or bird droppings. Other substances can cause similar disease patterns. In many cases it can be very difficult to find the exact cause.”
Together with the University of Exeter and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, the EPIC group is working with an active and collaborative patient group to improve early diagnosis, disease treatments and, ultimately, help find a cure for Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Anna adds: “Our team is growing in size and expertise and we believe we are making early progress towards our goals, with our charity-funded projects agreed by the EPIC group.”
Tom’s family welcome any donations to support EPIC and further this research in support of patients and their families in his memory.
Donations can be made online via the website www.exeter.ac.uk/alumnisupporters/supportus/donate/singlegift. Donors can then select the ‘Other’ option for the purpose of their donation and put ‘Pulmonary Fibrosis, EPIC’. Alternatively, they can send a cheque made payable to ‘University of Exeter’ to Dr Chris Scotton, University of Exeter Medical School, St Luke’s Campus, Magdalen Road, Exeter EX2 4TE.
For further details, email Anna Duckworth at ad653@exeter.ac.uk