Tom, my dear friend of over 20 years, sadly passed away recently. It was very sudden and has left his family and friends in a state of complete shock. Tom was an amazing cameraman and frontline reporter and his passion for telling stories and reporting the truth would take him to distant countries. Tom left his Newcastle roots and moved to Damascus, Syria in 2012, where he married his beautiful wife, Fourat, and worked tirelessly over the next 10 years doing everything he could to help those in need. Tom and Fourat returned to the UK last year as Tom was scheduled for an operation. Fourat returned to Syria shortly after and Tom stayed in the North East to convalesce. Whilst recovering, Tom suffered a massive heart attack and sadly passed away in January. This devastating news has been harder to bear as it has been an absolute nightmare for Fourat to gain entry back into the UK to get back to Tom. Incomprehensibly, her initial request for a visa was denied. Eventually, thanks to an appeal launched by Andrew Ashdown, a close friend of Tom’s, Fourat has eventually been allowed to travel to the UK and has now arrived safely. The costs for the visas, transport etc have been staggering and now there are the further crippling costs of the funeral to arrange. I’m hopeful that those who knew Tom, or people who know me, will be willing to donate any amount to help me contribute to this fund and give Tom the send off he deserves.
Those of you that attended my wedding may well remember a tall, thin, friendly Geordie chap pointing a massive camera at you throughout the day and evening. That was my friend Tom and that was his wedding gift to me. Some of you were given copies of the amazing dvd he produced as gifts. I can never repay him for such an amazing, lasting gift. I hope that by helping Fourat now, I can in some small way repay the generosity and friendship he gave me.
If you have taken the time to read this and can spare a thought for my dear friend Tom I would be very grateful. If you could find it in your heart to share this page or even pledge a small amount to help the fund it would be hugely appreciated.
Much love…Vaughan xxx ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????