Presentation To The Beacon Centre
August 2009
The family of former president of Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival Committee, Dave Patten, who died earlier this year has presented a £1000 cheque to a local charity in his memory.
At a specially arranged ceremony at Taunton’s Musgrove Park Hospital, Dave’s wife Joan and four children Clive, Dawn, Amanda and Andrew officially presented the cheque to representatives from The Beacon Centre charity.
The money was raised through generous donations given by family and friends at Dave’s funeral back in May.
Joan said: “We have been completely overwhelmed with the support we have received from our family and friends during this difficult time. Dave would have been so proud to know that so much money has been raised in his honour and going towards such a worthwhile charity.”
The Beacon Centre opened in May 2009 and means patients will now not need to travel to Bristol for their cancer treatment. The centre has radiotherapy and inpatient oncology facilities, an expanded day case chemotherapy suite and outpatient clinic facilities. It will provide radiotherapy treatment for approximately 1200 patients each year.
Dave was 68 when he died, and had been involved in carnival since a very young age. He was a member of Hinkley Point CC (later known as Bohemians CC) and always said that the proudest moments in his carnival life was to be elected as president of Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival Committee in 1998 and being made a life member in 2001. He played an active role in carnival life right up until he died on 3 May 2009.
Joan added: “He was a lovely man and we all miss him so much.”
