Alison Stephens and I worked together on stage for over 500 performances of our theatre adaptation of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin.  'I’d rather see your show than that film any day and you can quote me on that,' said  author, Louis de Bernières, so I just did. Ali was the mandolinist. She also played guitar, trumpet, tuba and percussion, while Philip Contini and I performed the story.  Actually, there were five of us, Anne Evans (piano and flute) and Jock Brown (technical manager), but only two of us got cancer.  I survived.  Ali died.

Ali and I were treated in the same place at the same time - Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge from November 2008  to April 2009. I was looked after by the hepatic team who dealt with bowel cancer which had spread to my pancreas.  The surgeon, Emmanuel Huguet, performed a ‘whipples procedure’ which saved my life.  Ali underwent a course of radiotherapy for her cervical cancer.  Then we sat side by side doing chemotherapy together.

I told Mr Huguet that I planned to ride to Rome on a bright red vespa to raise money for cancer research.  I thought he would say, ‘don’t be stupid!’ but instead he said, ‘What a great idea.’ So I bought a scooter, did my compulsory basic training, and set off for Rome in August 2009 wearing ‘L’ plates.  Ali did all the administration for raising funds.  She set up a Just Giving Page and sent me off with a
sheaf of address labels and, in return for £50.00, I wrote and sent hundreds of postcards en route.  Not everybody gave us £50.00.  Some gave a lot more. At a gala performance of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin in Cambridge on October 9^th ,2009, Louis de Bernières presented Emmanuel Huguet with a cheque for £24,000.

During the autumn of 2010 Ali and I were preparing our theatre adaptation of A Christmas Carol for the festive season when her condition deteriorated and she died in the Arthur Rank Hospice.

I’m setting off on July 2^nd this year to do the same ride again, to remember Alison Stephens, to thank the Arthur rank Hospice who looked after her at the end of her life, and to raise funds for the hospice.  Would you like to come with me?  Unfortunately I don’t have space for a pillion passenger.  However I will upload photos, videos, and voice recordings here on this just giving site.  . I’ll post the first episode on the boat from Dover to Calais….

The ride to Rome and back is around 5,000 kilometers/3,000 miles.  At a penny a mile that’s £50/£30.  If you give more that’s great.  If your donation is small, even very small, that’s great too. The link to this page is www.justgiving.com/fundraising/michael-maran

You’d rather have a postcard!  OK. Send your address to mike@mikemaran.com  and I’ll send postcards to the first 100
donations of £50.00 or more.

Ali, like everyone who receives care in the Arthur Rank Hospice, did not pay for her care and support.  It is provided free of charge.  So, who pays?  The simple answer is - you and me.  Please help.

Ciao!

Mike