He will attend the most precious concert of his life, in this case a concert at the mythical Glastonbury Festival, which begins Wednesday, June 22, in England. An event of which Nigel Stonehouse, 58, is an unconditional fan. For thirty years, he has followed all the editions, there has applauded the Rolling Stones, David Bowie or Johnny Cash. For nothing in the world, he would not miss this musical appointment, except that this year the disease gets involved and that is why his face, his story is found in the British press. In reality, Nigel Stonehouse is hospitalized, bedridden in palliative care in a room of the Hartlepool hospital, for a double cancer of the kidneys and the lung.
In early June, doctors told him he only had weeks to live. So he told his friends his last wish, his ultimate wish, to go to Glastonbury and see disco diva Diana Ross sing. Without wasting time, the friends in question, Maria and Lizzie, consult the medical team and draw up a list of what is needed to materialize this last wish: an ambulance to transfer to a heliport, a medical helicopter, then a team to take it and set it up near the stage, with all the equipment and medical staff that this entails. Obviously, the operation is expensive. Nigel, a modest mason, has no savings. Neither did her friends Maria and Lizzie, so they launched an online fundraiser, without too many illusions. But very quickly, the kitty makes noise.
Folks. I’ve been contacted by the friend of a terminally ill man who wants to go to Glasto 1 last time. He’s so poorly with cancer they’re going to have to fly him in by air ambulance. If you’d join me in helping Nige’s dying wish then pls donate here. https://t.co/Nc9ljPm0jg
— Fatboy Slim (@FatboySlim) June 19, 2022
DJ Fatboy Slim talks about it on Twitter, newspapers pick up the story, and donations pour in, by the hundreds. In one day, the objective of 12,000 pounds sterling is reached and exceeded, the additional donations will go to associations and Nigel Stonehouse will therefore be able to fly to Glastonbury. “Because there is nothing stronger”writes one donor, “because sharing music with those we loveadds another, it’s the most beautiful experience.” A wave of solidarity which, from her friends, upset and reinvigorated Nigel Stonehouse. On this June 21, we have no better illustration of what music can do, and especially what friendship can do.