Family 'overwhelmed' as community rallies to fund cancer operation for former Gosport shop owner

Lee Morby-Bagley took matters upon himself with his siblings and mum after his proud dad, George Morby, declined any outside help after being told his operation for prostate cancer was being cancelled.

But with time of the essence in reducing the risk of the cancer spreading, Lee rallied support so the operation could be carried out privately in Cyprus where George, 71, retired to live two years ago.

The medical bill for the operation cost £7,000 - with family friend Jason Fox, owner of Best Price Car Sales in Southampton, stumping up the cash before the family paid him back.

Friends and well-wishers then clubbed together through a Just Giving campaign to raise the funds for George in just 10 days.

Lee, from Gosport, also raffled off Pompey memorabilia to raise funds to pay for the operation.

Lee, 43, said: ‘My dad was meant to be having his prostate operation out in Cyprus but when the Covid-19 outbreak happened they announced that all non-essential operations were being cancelled.

‘But we didn’t want to wait because it is better to have the operation as early as possible to have more chance of recovering.

‘My dad said he didn’t want anyone to know about it so we didn’t tell him about what we were doing.

‘Once we shared the fundraising link the donations came flooding in. To raise the money in 10 days is incredible. We are so overwhelmed and thankful to everyone.’

George is well known in the community having run Premier Stores in Rowner for 20 years and a convenience store in Grove Road.

The Pompey fanatic was also part of the Lee carnival organising committee back in the 1980s.

Lee added: ‘My dad has lived his whole life in Gosport until when he decided to go to Cyprus to retire.

‘He’s had the operation and is now recovering well thanks to the fantastic generosity of everyone.’

Additional money raised will go to Prostate Cancer UK.

To donate click here.

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