Music star Bugzy Malone has backed a Carlisle man’s wish to marry his fiancé before he passes away.
Joel Gray wants to marry his girlfriend and a fundraiser to help the couple achieve their dream has already smashed the initial target of £1,000 and is currently sitting at more than four-and-a-half times that.
Joel Gray was just 17 when he was first diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a rare and aggressive form of cancer in 2012. After fighting the disease, he was told he was in remission in 2015.
Three years later the cancer returned, this time the acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) was paired with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).
After another round of gruelling treatment, Joel was told he was cancer-free for a second time.
Earlier this month he found out the cancer had returned for a third time – and this time it was terminal.
A fundraiser has now been started by family friend Stuart Drummond, based in Stirling. Joel moved to the Scottish city to be with his girlfriend, after living and growing up in Carlisle.
He will soon return to his home city to be closer to his family.
Doctors say Joel may only have a matter of months or weeks.
After hearing about the story, grime star Bugzy Malone posted an emotional video on Instagram.
“This video is not about my album, nothing about that. It is about Joel Gray. A while ago someone sent me a video of him receiving a pair of the B Malone trainers and he got upset when he got the trainers,” Bugzy said in the video.
“I remember it kind of hit me and feeling like wow, are these the people that support me? Do you get what I’m saying?
“Is that how much my trainers means to somebody. That was that. Today I got a message to say that Joel has battled cancer twice and this time it is not going so well, so he’s not got long left.
“Joel, this is a message to you. I’ve seen your GoFundMe page and I’m going to be donating a thousand pounds and I’m sharing it here. Hopefully you can come to one of the shows I’ve got coming up, I’m going to get my team to get in contact with you and make that happen.
“I’m gutted bro. Forget all this famous stuff, I’m gutted for you brother. This stuff upsets me man. Go and enjoy yourself on me. Love.”
Replying to the video, Joel commented: “I actually can’t believe you can remember from basically 17 months ago when I got your first set of X1scorpions and they are the most comfortable trainers I’ve got, which still look fresh from day get go.
“And you also took your time to speak to me, comment on my posts, talk to each other… I’m not the legend you are @thebugzymalone. I can’t wait to receive your vinyl that my Mrs purchased for me. You’re a man.”
