In January of this year Nick Gandon (M 69) the Society’s most immediate past President was given the most unimaginably awful news with a diagnosis of incurable pancreatic cancer.

Those of us whose lives have been touched even briefly by Nick’s magic know him as a vibrant, energetic, caring and engaging individual who is absolutely committed to the service and well-being of others. A teacher, cricketer and social entrepreneur who recently retired to the Cotswolds, Nick was considering writing his memoirs. Following his diagnosis his daughters Jo (LS & H 00) and Amy (LS & H 02) together with family and friends, have encouraged him to make a series of podcasts.

In Amy & Jo’s words earlier this week:

‘Dad is unwell – though he is in remarkably good form. As he keeps reminding us, he’s still very much ‘alive and kicking’..! We have been making some podcasts with Dad, which broadly capture his ‘life and times’, thoughts and reflections. There will be four episodes in total and we released the first one last week and the second one has been published this evening. Both of these touch on Dad’s time at Haileybury as a pupil and his time on the staff’.

We encourage Society members to listen and appreciate Nick’s very personal and candid Haileybury memories in episodes 1 & 2 below, with two more episodes to be released soon – https://rss.com/podcasts/inningsdeclared

Nick’s charitable ventures continue tirelessly despite his illness through a charity called ‘The Legacy Fund’ to which you can donate £10 by texting LEGACY to 70460. The Gandon Prodger Legacy Fund is supporting the work of the East Africa Character Development Trust (delivering cricket and character education in Nairobi, Kenya), The Alsama Project (delivering cricket and education to Syrian refugees in The Lebanon), the Saracens Foundation and the Club Cricket Charity.

We wish Nick strength and courage on this sticky wicket and send all our best wishes to him, Carole, Jo, Amy, his family and many friends.