Telford worker vows to raise £80,000 to help daughter beat cancer
A devoted father whose daughter is battling cancer has vowed to raise £80,000 to fund specialist treatment in Germany for her.
Errol Richards, who works at Ricoh in Telford, has even enlisted the help of soul singer Beverley Knight in his mission for his daughter Anntoinette Richards.
The 32-year-old, from Bushbury in Wolverhampton, battled breast cancer before being told in August it had spread to her liver.
Now the health, wellbeing and support worker has discovered an alternative treatment in Germany called Verita Life, which is thought to give her the best chance of recovery.
It is to cost Ms Richards £77,000 – so her father Errol Richards is on a fundraising mission with friends and family to help raise the overall target and superstar Beverley is helping out with a dinner and dance fundraiser at the Molineux.
Errol, aged 54, has set himself the task of hiking up the Wrekin three times as part of a mammoth challenge titled Miles of Hope, while his colleagues have organised a 25-mile cycle ride with up to 40 riders and a walk and run event around Priorslee Lake.
Mr Richards, who has worked at Ricoh for 27 years, said: “She’s really poorly and we’re doing everything we can to try and raise this funds to pay for her treatment. As a father that’s the least I can do.
“The support I’ve had from my work colleagues has been overwhelming.
“It makes me cry because I’ve never seen so much love for people that don’t even know my daughter. Everyone is doing their bit to help out and it’s blown up on Facebook.
“We’re pushing as hard as we can to raise the money. Every day is another day and each person is doing everything they can.
“I’m gong to be walking up the Wrekin three times for my daughter. I’m not the fittest and I’m asthmatic but have had real support from my work colleagues in Telford.
“For Anntoinette, however big the challenge is, it will be worth it. I’m doing the walk but don’t think my legs could take the bike ride.”
Ms Richards, who has an 11-year-old daughter Kiahna, found lumps in her breast in just before Christmas last year before being told it was cancer at the start of 2017.
In February, she was told she had to have a mastectomy and doctors thought the disease had disappeared.
But later that year, she experienced problems with her breathing and the cancer had spread to her liver.
By August, doctors said Ms Richards’ cancer was terminal.
After lots of research, she’s currently undertaking an organic juice and raw food diet, costing between £80 and £100-a-week.
The target on Go Fund Me has been set at £85,000 to help pay for not only the treatment but other costs she is likely to incur like childcare and more.
Her father added: “She’s found this place in Germany which says it can treat her but it costs £80,000. They do hydrotherapy and loads of different treatments and she’s been having vitamin infusions and doing everything she can.
“From February to August and she’s terminally ill – that’s how awful cancer is.
“Everyone at my work has been amazing. Particular thanks must go to Christine Petrovic, Darren Craig, Lee Massey, Dave Bragg and Sonia Edmonds who have helped with the fundraising.”
Other fundraisers being organised by workers at Ricoh in Priorslee include a pub quiz and selling purple ribbons around the factory.The fundraising page, which was started by her cousin Lorraine Esson, who is related to Beverley Knight, has so far raised more than £21,000 – just under a quarter of the overall target.
A charitable gala dinner with entertainment will be held on December 8 in the WV1 Restaurant in the Stan Cullis stand at Wolves’ Molineux stadium.
The gala will include a special set by Wolverhampton’s finest and Queen of UK Soul Beverley Knight MBE. Limited platinum tickets are available which will include a meet and greet with Beverley.
All proceeds raised on the night will go towards Anntoinette’s treatment and survival fund. Platinum, gold and standard tickets are available. For more information or to donate towards her treatment visit gofundme.com/helpanntoinette.
To purchase group tickets email helptwig@gmail.com call 07743405451 or visit ticketsource.co.uk/helpanntoinette
