The Mend our Mum campaign

We continue our look back at some of the biggest stories that have appeared on AudlemOnline in the past ten years in the run up to our 10th birthday tomorrow, 25th August.

The busiest ever month on AudlemOnline was December 2014 when over 100,000 readers clicked on with several days seeing more than 6,000 readers.

The reason – the 'Amazing Grace' Mend our Mum video sung by groups and individuals throughout the village to raise funds to treat Berni Cliffe's cancer that was not available on the NHS.

As all will know, the video went all over on TV, radio and the press, nationally and internationally, and the £100,000 target was met early in 2015. Berni is currently in Houston, Texas where she had a major operation almost two weeks ago.

The whole idea was first announced in an article by Ralph Warburton last November on behalf of the Music Festival team,

Ralph Warburton's article

I'm sure almost everyone in Audlem has by now heard of the "Mend Our Mum" campaign. (www.mendourmum.co.uk)

In the words of Terri and Hannah Cliffe – "Hi, thank you for looking at our site. We have set up Mend Our Mum because our lovely, kind, generous, gorgeous mum has developed a very aggressive cancer which is trying to take her away and we don't want to say goodbye.

"NHS drugs can only do so much but there is a successful treatment in the US which could make that time so very much longer."

Terri and Hannah have already organized a number of fund raising events – (see photos of a recent fancy dress walk) and the good people of Audlem have already been very generous, but there is still a long way to go to raise the £100k target.

In a conversation the other night, Tim Lawton , a regular supporter of the village community, suggested we try to emulate the famous 'Do they know its Christmas' video by Bob Geldorf.

One week later – and after the Audlem Music Festival Committee applied their fertile minds to the task, and a few beers, we have a plan.

Music Video

The aim is to produce a music video which will feature as many people from the Audlem community as we can fit in (and are not too camera shy to take part). Of course this is a very serious cause, but we aim to make the video a happy and joyous event for as many as possible who would wish to participate.

Obviously we had to find an appropriate piece of music that would fit the bill and, more importantly, has no copyright issues – to this end it will be based on the tune "Amazing Grace" but with Audlem's own special treatment.

Community Groups

We want to include as many of the community as are willing: groups like ASET, ADAS, Choirs, School children, Church congregations, Fire crews, Post men and Women, Audlem Boat people, Traders, Scouts, Guides, Beavers, Cubs etc, WI members, Doctors, Footballers, Tennis Club members and so on, as well as the community at large.

If we haven't mentioned your group here and you would like to get involved, contact Ralph Warburton on rjw@notrubraw.com or 07813 820157.

The plan is that, behind a mass accompanied background, individuals / groups will be featured singing a line of the song, so that the Audlem community gets as much exposure as possible. The finished product will be linked through the website to YouTube so that we can show the world what a caring and enviable community Audlem is.

And of course, there will be a running text line through the video telling the world how they can contribute financially to the campaign.

Target Date

Although not specifically linked to Xmas, we aim to get the finished product out by mid-December, which is a pretty tall order, so we will need maximum co-operation and flexibility from everyone who wants to get involved.

This is a great opportunity to support a most worthwhile cause, have a lot of fun, and show our wonderful Audlem community off to the world. We do hope you'll join us.

Ralph Warburton
Audlem Music Festival Team

This article is from our news archive. As a result pictures or videos originally associated with it may have been removed and some of the content may no longer be accurate or relevant.