Worldwide support for cancer victim justice (From Harwich and Manningtree Standard)

Worldwide support for cancer victim justice

2:00pm Friday 11th January 2013 in News By Helen Barnett

TENS of thousands of people worldwide have thrown their weight behind a campaign to secure insurance money for the grieving family of a cancer victim.

Nic Hughes, from Brantham, lost his ten-month battle with cancer of the gall bladder in October, aged 44.

But insurance company Friends Life has refused to honour his critical illness policy, saying he did not disclose advice to reduce his alcohol intake or pins and needles pain.

Nic’s consultant oncologist has said neither one was linked to his death and that Nic, of Brantham Hill, drank below the recommended weekly allowance.

His wife Susannah Hancock and twin eight-year-old son and daughter have been left devastated that Friends Life has not honoured the £100,000 payout.

But a celebrity-backed petition now has more than 61,300 signatures from as far as Singapore and Spain urging the insurers to change their decision.

Supporters include actor and presenter Stephen Fry, comedians Russell Brand and Miranda Hart, sports commentator Sir Ian Botham and pop star Boy George.

Nic’s best friend Kester Brewin set up the online petition and said on the signing page he had been “blown away by it all.”