Over £10,000 has been raised to support a much-loved Southport mum in her battle against cancer.
Scores of local people came together at Hey Amigos bar in Southport on Saturday to enjoy the Katie Froggatt Fundraising Festival.
The special event was inspired by Katie Froggatt, aged 39 and mum to two-year-old Myla.
Katie was told before Christmas that her cancer was terminal and that she had less than a year left to live.
But she has recently been given fresh hope of treatment in Germany with her many friends and family leading a huge fundraising drive to secure the funds needed for treatment.
Mark and Mel Pickup at The Katie Froggatt Fundraising Festival at Hey Amigos in Southport. Photo by Dave Brown Photography
The Katie Froggatt Fundraising Festival was brilliantly organised by Mark Pickup, owner of Southport TV and Digital Media Boutique.
It was originally due to be held at Victoria Park in Southport. But a stormy weather forecast saw Hey Amigos come forward to stage the event at the 11th hour.
The Festival was well supported by a number of local businesses who made contributions in different ways.
Alongside DJ Mark pickup on the bill at the Festival were Jimmy Allen, Ryan Holland, Paul Elder, Channe, Seani Mac, and Miech Martin.
Katie’s sister-in-law Shelley Wareing said: “The money raised is going to such a worthwhile cause, ultimately giving Katie so much precious time with her hugely supportive husband Steven, and my beautiful niece Myla.
Katie and Steve Froggatt and their baby daughter, Myla
“The event couldn’t be more suited to our festival loving Katie.
“We are so thankful to Mark Pickup, Jimmy Allen, DJs and everyone involved in organising such a fun, important event.”
Mark Pickup said: “Thank you! I am so happy to announce that we have raised a grand total of £10,107 for Katie Froggatt’s cancer treatment in Germany.
“This includes £7,107 in donations from Saturday’s event and a large donation of £2,900 from Southport Lions Club who told me they would make whatever we achieved up to £10,000, so a huge thank you to Ray and the team over there and a massive thank you to my boy Danny Howard for the connect with them.
“Where do I start about Saturday? All I can say is wow!
“I’ve put on many parties and events in the last 25 years but that was special!
The Katie Froggatt Fundraising Festival at Hey Amigos in Southport. Photo by Dave Brown Photography
“The vibe and the love in the room was immense and delivered in true Southport Disco Festival style.
“Let me start with the DJs. First off Derek Kaye, thank you for taking the time to come over to Southport and play with us, a big thank you to all the other DJs, Ryan Holland, Paul Elder, Seani Mac, Channe, Cliff Barclay, Mieche Martin.
“Thank you Niall, Reiss, Craig and Donna at Hey Amigos for the last minute venue offer and preparation which saved the event and thank you for the donation from the bar also.
“Thanks to Tony at North West Marquee Hire for the marquee we were going to use in the park and for Alan from Victoria Park for originally accommodating us at such short notice.
“Huge thank you to Mel for helping me with everything on the day and Mum for having the kids whilst we were executing all this. Nic Patterson and again Mieche for filling in the dots with the decor and Jack for helping on the door.
Danny Howard (left), Mel Pickup (centre) and Mark Pickup at The Katie Froggatt Fundraising Festival at Hey Amigos in Southport. Photo by Dave Brown Photography
“Huge thanks to Moonlight Events for the LED signs, Woz Rimmer (FusionHot) for the additional speakers, Kelly at Unique Glitz & Glam for the glitter station and donating all funds, Liz at Huga Balloons for the amazing balloon arch, Paul and Danny at Print Quarter for donating the signs and Dave Brown Photography for capturing some amazing photography on the night.
“I can do all the designs in the world but if people don’t hear about the event / fundraiser it’s not enough so thank you to Andrew at Stand Up For Southport for his consistent support, as well as Steve at Southport News, Paul at Mighty Radio and my team at What’s On Southport and Southport TV for all the posting / sharing.
“Thank you to each and everyone of you who bought a ticket or non-attending ticket to help make this happen, I am overwhelmed by the support and I couldn’t have done this without your donations!
The Katie Froggatt Fundraising Festival at Hey Amigos in Southport. Photo by Dave Brown Photography
“It’s been a pleasure to become one of ‘Katies Angels’ who has arranged a fundraiser on her behalf so please I urge you all out there to become one and no matter how crazy the idea, see it through and help raise much needed funds for a local legend.
“Finally the £7 in the total amount that was donated was by my seven-year-old daughter Christabella. When she got into our bed on Saturday morning and asked where Mummy and Daddy were going and why she was going to Nannys, I reminded her we were doing the event to help raise money for our good friend Katie. She said ‘Is this the friend who is ‘poorly ick’ with cancer?’ ‘Yes that’s right Bella, she has cancer’ I replied. She climbed out of bed, went to her room and got her little purse and gave me the £7 in it, and said ‘Here you go Daddy she can have this.’
“The moral of this paragraph is… Katie, there is such immense support out there for you from all ages, everyone is alongside you on this journey and rooting for you to win your battle.”
Bea Verity (left) and Shelly Wareing (right) at The Katie Froggatt Fundraising Festival at Hey Amigos in Southport. Photo by Dave Brown Photography
Katie Froggatt initially thought she was just fighting off a cold in the summer of 2021, but as weeks passed, she started to find she couldn’t breathe at all.
She then discovered she had an aggressive tumour, leading to horrific surgery in a bid to help her survive.
Family and friends have since raised thousands of pounds to fund treatment for her, through a series of events.
Earlier this year she was told by the NHS that there is nothing more they can do for her, but Katie says she has recently discovered a professor in Frankfurt who has been providing treatment that has seen her cancer shrinking.
She said: “I have had significant reduction and now Professor Vogl is now speaking about stabilising my cancer with monthly visits to Frankfurt and he is confident he can get a grip of this.
“It’s the first time since being diagnosed nearly two years ago that someone has confidently said we can do this!
“These trips cost £5,000 a month on top of the £1,200 a week I have been spending at an amazing alternate treatment clinic that has honestly been the only thing that’s kept me alive.
“I just wanted to take this time to thank everybody that has donated and all the beautiful people that put together all of the amazing fundraisers because of each and everyone of you I am still here now.”
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