We thought you would like to know that our dear friend and colleague Sue Bailey was laid to rest yesterday in a wonderfully peaceful woodland setting in Buckinghamshire.
Whilst we and many others will miss Sue’s immense sense of fun, her wonderful creativeness and willingness to help others, we know she would be wondering what all the fuss was about and wanting us to carry on as normal.
Many people have asked if there is anything they can do to show their respects and there are two causes that were very close to Sue’s heart.
The first is the charity MIND, the leading mental health charity in England and Wales. They work to create a better life for everyone with experience of mental distress. If you would like to make a donation to MIND you can do so on the MIND website. You can buy or sell items on eBay with a percentage of the sale price being donated to MIND, or you can click the “donate” tab on the MIND Missionfish page to donate through PayPal.
The second cause which Sue absolutely supported won’t cost you a penny. Sue was fully signed up on the NHS Organ Donor Register and encouraged others to do likewise. Helping someone live after you have passed away is possibly the greatest gift anyone can give and we would encourage those who are not on the Organ Donor Register to consider adding your name in memory of Sue.
We also will be organising a time for those that wish to meet up and remember Sue towards the end of September and will let you have details nearer the time. This will of course be in the way that Sue would heartily approve of and how many of you will remember her – in the pub.
We would like to thank everyone who has left tributes in memory of Sue and emailed or telephoned us. They have bought an awful lot of comfort to both us and to Sue’s family. The messages have given Sue’s family an insight into just how well known, respected and loved she was, as well as the help she gave so many people over so many years and we would like to thank you for that on their behalf.
Chris Dawson and Dan Wilson
7 Responses
thank you so much Chris and Dan for keeping us all updated on everything.
I am so pleased that she is resting in a peaceful green place. And I look forward to raising a glass to her shortly.xxx
Friends,
I just want to report that I have reconfirmed my registration with the organ transplant people today.
I have a donor card, but have registered online, to be doubly clear.
I encourage everyone who wants to, to do that, and let their family know.
If the clever transplant people can find ANYTHING whatsoever of use, they can have it! ;o)
Dan Wilson
I registered online after the death of my brother although I already carried the card. My brother died while on a ventilator but they were unable to use his organs due to the wishes of the next of kin.
So please also make your wishes known to your family this is just as important.
I have cheerfully signed up to donate anything that’s remotely useful.
Additionally, I’m running the Bristol Half Marathon in memory of Sue and to raise money for Mind. Some lovely people have donated a gigantic £310 so far. I’m trying to raise £1000, so every penny will be very gratefully received and will keep my feet pounding the tarmac 🙂
Here’s the link if you have any change rattling around going to waste:
http://www.justgiving.com/Georginadavies
Thankyou 🙂
Georgie
I’ll go with the MIND option, don’t think my organs would be much use 🙁
Steve
Steve: MIND do great work. Wonderful. Re the transplant folk: I’m sure they will have a rummage around and find something of use from anyone. But I do understand some people don’t want that.
I’m quite happy to be a human junkyard when the time comes. :o) I doubtless can’t offer rich pickings!
Georgie: good for you! Really lovely.
All: I made some personal reflections about Sue’s funeral here: https://www.wilsondan.co.uk/2011/08/22/sue-baileys-funeral/
Best,
Dan Wilson
Surgeons actively use donated parts that you don’t necessarily think of as “organs”, such as skin, and who knows what they’ll be transplanting come the time of our own passing…
MIND is an organisation close to my heart, and have raised funds for them in the past. PLEASE PLEASE everyone, please consider donating and fundraising for MIND (or another similar charity or organisation) – mental illness is more common than a lot of people think, and too many people suffer in silence with no proper access to EFFECTIVE and/or RAPID/EMERGENCY treatment. Mental illness breaks down relationships and families and personalities, and is often a painful and isolating and debillitating and lonely place to be in. The *official* statistics say that “1 in 4 people will suffer mental distress at some point” – and that’s just counting the numbers that actually seek help.
I still can’t believe Sue has gone, but I know she is at peace now.
Please let me know when the ‘meet up’ will be. I can’t guarantee I’ll be there in person, but certainly in spirit.
Thank you.