Darragh McConville
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Fundraising for Mat Davis Foundation
Story
Mat’s Story – By Mum
This is the story of an inspirational and amazing young man with a zest for life beyond recognition. Mat Davis had a heart-warming smile and a presence so huge that it could light up any room. He was bright, bubbly, lively and determined, yet thoughtful, caring, generous to a fault and always considering everybody else’s needs before his own.
Sadly Mat’s life was turned upside down when he was served some devastating news in 2009. At the age of just 20, after suffering a series of seizures, Mat was diagnosed with an inoperable cancerous Grade 2 Brain Tumour but that did not stop him.
“Mat never stopped living, laughing and loving!”
Mat was the most fun-loving and carefree human being you could ever meet. If anyone met Mat in passing no one would ever have guessed that from the age of 20 he had been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. Mat NEVER stopped living, laughing and loving!
During the following couple of years, Mat underwent several operations, Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy, in an attempt to keep the tumour “under control”. This did not undermine his zest for life. He was forever the optimist, had no no fear, was a fighter to the end. He never asked “why me” but always “why not me” and was still giving in more ways than one but not giving up himself. Even in his professional life he worked as a support worker, helping people with learning disabilities which meant the world to him. He was such a natural carer and had a real connection with the people he supported. He always put them at the centre of everything he did. Mat often went that extra mile without expecting anything in return and ALWAYS with a smile on his face!
In the face of adversity he chose to raise both awareness and money for Cancer Research. He arranged a Bingo night, 70/80′s disco nights, auction nights, had his legs waxed and very courageously attempted to cycle from Lands End to John O’Groats. Unfortunately he came off his bike in Manchester after suffering a seizure and as a result he ended up in hospital and couldn’t finish his journey. Even though he didn’t manage to finish what he started, Mat still raised just over £12,000 forCancer Research – Mat’s Just Giving page.
In a further bid to raise the profile of Cancer Research he recorded 2 of his own youtube videos telling his story:
Mat’s Stand up to Cancer Video
Unfortunately, this amazing story doesn’t have a “happily ever after ending”. In June 2012 Mat started to have pins and needles down his left side, he was admitted into Walsgrave Hospital and tests revealed that although the primary tumour had remained the same, there was now another tumour, but this time a Grade 4. Again this tumour was inoperable and Mat was told that he would have at the most six months to live. Mat’s health deteriorated very quickly……Mat lost his battle on Saturday 3rd November 2012, after spending 10 weeks being cared for by the amazing team at Myton Hospice in Warwick. He was surrounded by his loving and ever supportive family and friends.
The Mat Davis Foundation
One of Mat’s final wishes was to set up a Foundation in his name – to help others who find themselves in a similar situation and also to ensure that his legacy lived on…..
Mat’s determination
Mat’s sheer determination to fight this dreadful disease and his selflessness along the way has touched the hearts of many. He has proved to so many just how brave you can be if you put your mind to it. Mat was so courageous in his battle to live as much of his young life as possible and has inspired so many into believing that anything is possible under ANY circumstances. Mat’s story has been told so many times to so many people and this has meant that his memory will live on and on offering hope to others who may find themselves and their families in similar situations.
“How can you judge a life?” None of us know the answer to that question, but I don’t think you can judge it in years, I think you can judge it by what you have achieved and the way that you have touched the hearts and souls of those who come into contact with you……….and I believe that all those who knew Mat are most definitely richer for it!!!!
A Star that burns twice as bright burns half as long!
If LOVE could have saved you Mat you would have lived FOREVER!
View Mat’s Just Giving Page.
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