Praise for 50p plan (From Stroud News and Journal)

Praise for 50p plan

CANCER survivor John Coneley is campaigning for lifesaving treatment for the disease to be made available for all.

The Stonehouse businessman wants to see a weekly 50p tax introduced to pay for badly needed care.

And he already has the support of Stroud MP David Drew, who is to raise the idea in parliament.

In the past 15 years both Mr Coneley, 71, and his wife Maureen, 68, have staved off major forms of the illness that kills millions every year.

He spoke out after the recent legal ruling which found that NHS chiefs were within their rights to deny breast cancer drug Herceptin to sufferer Anne-Marie Rogers, from Swindon.

The grandfather-of-two - who owns Coneley's Fairgrounds - says too often the best care is only available to those who can afford it.

"I want to see everyone except pensioners pay 50p per week - the price of a cup of tea - to go directly to those who need treatment," he said.

"We know how lucky we both are but I have lost a brother and other family members to cancer.

"About one in four get treatment and I feel that any help should be offered to everyone.

"If someone's got lots of money they survive but poorer people are left to die."

Mr Coneley was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2001.

"When you are first told it is absolutely terrifying and it would be nice to know that you will be looked after," he said.

Labour MP David Drew has been touched by Mr Coneley's campaign.

He said: "This is a wonderful idea and I am more than happy to suggest we all make a little contribution.

"The couple are unsung heroes and have done a lot for charity and fundraising over the years.

"It's great that former sufferers are thinking about other people like this."