THE family of Burnham-on-Sea Carnival’s Vice Chair are fundraising to restore a ‘lifeline’ classic Mini.

Vice Chair of Highbridge and Burnham-on-Sea Carnival, Wayne Carlisle, who has been involved with the event for many years as the Traffic Controller, is currently undergoing treatment for cancer.  

In early 2021, Wayne fulfilled his dream and bought a classic Mini in need of restoration. But by September 2021, Wayne was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, which is a form of cancer that is treatable, but incurable. His beloved Mini is a comforting distraction from the rigorous treatment he is undergoing.

Symptoms of Multiple Myleoma can include bone pain, weakness and fatigue, nausea, and mental fogginess or confusion. The link to the fundraiser can be accessed at: https://bit.ly/48y3ba1

In the three years since his diagnosis, Wayne has undergone a stringent treatment programme with no breaks, including: chemotherapy injections; full stem cell replacement; full dental extractions; and monthly bone strengthening injections.

Writing on GoFundMe, Wayne’s wife, Louise said: “After a brief spell in remission, he [Wayne] was last month advised that his cancer again is no longer in remission, and the high intensity chemotherapy has to restart. This, as you can imagine, devastated our family.”

With the help of some friends, the family were briefly able to restore the car to running capability, including a new spray in Papaya Orange – the colour Wayne’s favourite F1 team, McClaren. But the Mini soon needed a new engine.

Louise commented: “Using the very last of our savings and borrowing money, we purchased an engine from someone we thought was reputable… but they have completely ripped us off.”

Wayne’s family are asking for some help towards getting a new engine, or for a mechanic to look at the current one. The orange Mini represents a “lifeline” from the “horrors of cancer” Wayne is facing.