For most people a 60th birthday is simply a date to remember and celebrate with family and friends.
For one former Aylesbury man, however, there has been an added poignancy to 2025 and the arrival of that special date this month.
Nigel Crawley decided to mark his 60th in a very special way – instead of receiving random birthday presents he has asked members of his family and friends to make donations to our charity, the Cancer Care and Haematology Fund.
Nigel, who was born and brought up in Wendover, near Aylesbury, became seriously ill with a blood cancer, aggressive lymphoma, at the age of just 23 in 1988. An otherwise healthy young man who was a keen local footballer and cricketer suddenly found himself being treated by specialists at Stoke Mandeville Hospital's haematology and general medicine ward. Thanks to the dedication and support of the clinical team at the hospital Nigel was eventually treated successfully and he recovered fully.
During his treatment Nigel was cared for by Sister June Wilson who was about to launch a fund-raising campaign to build a specialist cancer and haematology unit at Stoke Mandeville – a facility that would not only directly treat patients' illnesses but which would also provide a range of other important services that would significantly improve their overall experience of what can be a daunting treatment process.
Nigel and his family on the day they left for Australia in 2006
Nigel quickly joined June's campaign and, in 1990 gathered together a small group of younger cancer patients to help him support the growing fundraising campaign. Over the next three years, driven on by June's incredible ambition and energy hundreds of people from around the Aylesbury Vale joined Nigel in finding unique ways to raise cash for a stand-alone Cancer Care and Haematology Unit that would prove to be such an important future development.
Nigel explained: “When Sister Wilson asked me if I was interested in helping her with raising funds for a dedicated cancer unit at Stoke, I jumped at the opportunity. I was half way through a brutal course of chemo and it gave me something else to focus on and a purpose which I embraced.
“June was a force of nature. Her drive and enthusiasm was infectious. Myself and some other young cancer patients formed a young committee which worked alongside the main fundraising group. It took on a life of its own and over the next three years we raised hundreds of thousands of pounds.”
Nigel added: “We had cheques on rugby balls, a barrow push around Aylesbury and a charity squash tournament. I even remember June somehow talking me into being a raffle prize at an Anglo Italian dinner and dance night; we raised thousands that night. And the Unit became a reality. It was a hell of a ride and seeing the Unit today and all the people that have passed through makes me very proud.”
In a birthday tribute to the Stoke Mandeville cancer and haematology team, Angela Crawley said: “Without CCHU Nigel and I would not have had the fantastic life that we have lived since. We have been blessed with children and grandchildren. We look forward to even more happy times as we move into retirement. Thank you.”
Dr Ann Watson – who remembers Nigel when she was working as a haematology consultant in 1988 – is today a trustee of CCHF: “It's wonderful to hear that Nigel and his family have done so well since his treatment at Stoke Mandeville and we are so grateful for his generosity on his birthday. Nigel's is one of many inspirational stories of people who have made the successful journey through treatment for cancer and who are now leading fulfilled and happy lives. These stories must be encouraging for those who have the misfortune to be recently diagnosed.”
Nigel and his wife Angela decided to emigrate to Perth, Australia, in 2006. They wanted to make the most of Australia's great outdoors life and warm climate for themselves and their two sons, Gareth and Ewan. Nigel has since become an author having seen his novel, Ellie B, published in 2015. But Nigel has never forgotten the role played by the cancer and haematology team at Stoke Mandeville in securing his future and for the unit that he fundraised so hard for all those years ago.
The late June Wilson's vision for a dedicated Cancer Care and Haematology treatment centre began to be realised by 1993 and CCHU was formally opened by the Princess Royal in 2001. The Unit was extended in 2007 and has developed into a major treatment centre run by the Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust.
Nigel's family and friends have rallied around wonderfully and have already donated nearly £500 to the Cancer Care and Haematology Fund (CCHF), via our online giving platform, Peoples Fundraising. CCHF is the charity that supports the important work of the Unit at Stoke Mandeville Hospital and the Sunrise Unit at Wycombe Hospital. You too can help us by donating here.
Our main picture above shows Nigel with his wife, Angela, at his 60th birthday party, and with his sons Gareth and Ewan
9 October 2025
