about this website

On the 11th May 2003 Barnaby Hart and Les Turner took part in a sponsored swim to raise money for their good friend, Jo and others like her, who are suffering from cancer.

Inspired by the first sponsored swim, Cathy Wigley and Heath Greenlsade also "swam for Jo" on Monday the 23rd of June. Cathy and Heath raised almost £1000 for the cause! [Full Story here]

Jo's future sister-in-law wanted to help, so did a third swim on Sunday the 20th of July, raising another £1000! [Full Story here]

Jo was diagnosed with malignant melanoma in the roof of her mouth and gums and underwent an operation and a six week course of radiotherapy, which at first seemed successful. In December 2002, Jo discovered a lump behind her ear, which on closer examination proved to be the first sign that her cancer had spread into multiple tumours, and to an advanced stage. Despite a course of experimental drug therapy & chemotherapy, the cancer did not respond and continues to grow and spread.

Jo has recently been told that there is no further conventional treatment available to her. Her hope lies with pioneering light treatment in Germany. This comes at a cost though, and that is where you come in.

First let's meet the swimmers...

latest news

30th September 2003

Friends gather in tribute to Jobug

Jo Chevli (born Swindell aka Jobug) sadly passed away on Sunday 22nd September 2003, the day after marrying her beloved husband Kiran at the Arthur Rank Hospice in Cambridge. We celebrated Jo Chevli's life at the Orchards in Grantchester last Sunday with a day long gathering of eating, drinking and dancing with friends and family. A billboard poster of a beaming Jobug and husband Kiran formed the centrepiece of the day.

Jo died having got her dream of marrying Kiran and becoming Mrs Chevli. She is at peace now and without pain. Her life and legacy will live on amongst her friends and with the work of the Backup Fund in her name. Jo spent her final weeks at Arthur Rank House at the Brookfields Hospital site on Mill Road in Cambridge. Jo & Kiran were married there in a beautiful ceremony laid on in the gardens where they exchanged their wedding vows. The Hospice is a MacMillan Nursing Hospice caring for all types of cancer sufferers. Kiran said the building should be painted gold for having made his wife so happy.

At The Orchard in Grantchester, where the couple had originally planned to marry, Kiran said he was sorry he could not have had more time with his "incredible lady".

"A light like that can never be put out," he said.

"I know Jo is waiting for me, she is happier now and in a better place."

A service was held at Cambridge Crematorium earlier in that day.

Jo told the Cambridge Evening News in August: "We are constantly looking for other avenues and unusual treatments so it is vital funds keep coming in. It's not easy once traditional medicine has left you to die but the more I discover through my quest, the more it can help the many other people for whom chemotherapy is not the answer."

One love Jobug, Kiran, Charlie, Likkle Jo, Sam, Max, Hoff, Bob, Kirsty, April, Dan, Fwing, Carl, Des, Phil, Daz, Tony, Judy, Anne Marie, Andy, Marly, Anabell, Anna, Nessa, Phil, Bonce, Les, Anthea, Sarah, Cathy, Soph, Nicky Butt, Cathy, Megan, Janet, Isla, Antonia, Loftie, Ashley, Helen, Agent A, Esta, Chris, Sam, Bernadette, Chaddy, Bob, Kate, Elenor, Cecille, Bee, Joe, Jenny, Gee, Carl, S, Ax, Charlie, Eva, Marina, Guy, Jane Denny, Heidi, Heather and all who helped us in our journey - Jo's shining on us all.

(text taken from the Rawganics Cancer Backup fund website: www.rawganics.net/rcbf)

22nd August 2003

- Jo received a £1000 cheque the SELOC Lotus enthusiasts club, from which nearly 200 cars drove from London to Brighton to raise money for 10 UK charities (more info at www.seloc.org). She will use the money to fund Reiki healing which makes her a lot more comfortable.

11th August 2003

Jobug has returned to England from a specialist clinic in Germany after developing complications.

Jo, who was forced to discontinue the treatment after developing a migraine and blindness in one eye, said: "The treatment was absolutely amazing. I was on a bike cycling around whereas it was always quite hard to move about before.

"We are constantly looking for other avenues and unusual treatments so it is vital funds keep coming in."

Jo, who is set to marry fiancé Kiran Chevli, 29, in September, adds: "It's not easy once traditional medicine has left you to die but the more I discover through my quest, the more it can help the many other people for whom chemotherapy is not the answer."

Jo, of Lucerne Close, Cherry Hinton, added: "I am grateful for all the fundraising people have done so far - it gives you the strength to keep on fighting.

"I feel very real about what's going on but I'm also so touched by the support I get even from complete strangers."

(text taken from the Rawganics Cancer Backup fund website: www.rawganics.net/rcbf)

20th July 2003

- Chandrika Chevli swam 200 lengths to raise yet another £1000! Full story here!

23rd June 2003

- Cathy Wigley and Heath Greenslade swam 200 lengths each to raise another £1000! Full story here!

16th June 2003

- Jo is in Germany and starts her treatment today!

12th May 2003

- We completed it! Full story here!

8th May 2003

- "A picture paints a thousand words" - how true that is!
- Should be in the Cambridge Evening News today or tomorrow.
- First training session for Bonce tonight!

6th May 2003

- We've published some of the fantastic feedback and words of encouragement from our sponsors.

4th May 2003

- Wow! We don't know what to say but thank you so much! With your help, we raised more than £1000 within twelve hours of the website going live. Amazing!
- Special mention has to go to the members of PistonHeads.com and SELOC for their kind words and generous contributions.
- We have added a video of Jo on Anglia TV News to the media page.