Given this forum is populated by good folks who have a real appreciation for the joys that racers have brought us in the past, I though I might highlight the current plight of one such racer. Eddie laycock, arguably the Republic of Ireland's most successful racer with three TT wins and several years in 500cc GP racing, has had a spot of bother over the past few years. He developed a nasty cancer in his left leg and after fighting the good fight for some time, the only solution left was amputation. Because this fight had gone on for some time, the disease had spread and the doctors felt it necessary to take the left hip also, which means the prospects of fitting a prosthesis are very slim. Despite all of this, Eddie is in very high spirits or was when I saw him at Christmas. I am sure you will agree though that, regardless of how strong his spirit, he is likely to have some down days too. The operation was performed on December 21st and Eddie was home with his family on Christmas morning. He is a great guy who gave many years of enjoyment to Irish race fans at home and abroad and now needs at least our good wishes for a speedy recovery. His many friends have set up this website, http://www.theeddielaycocktrust.com/Eddie_...ck/Welcome.html and are planning a fund raiser in February. Please take a look and help if you can. At least if we gather good wishes for Eddie on here, I can direct him to this thread and who knows he may even become a regular TNFer.

I am also sensitive to the fact that I have opened this thread at a time when others in the world, the poor people of Haiti, have a far greater need for our help but I am confident there is enough compassion in our hearts to pay attention to the needs of those close to us as well as those in the wider world.
Thanks.

Mo Murray

Mo , a big thanks for that , i'm sure most of us on the forum had no idea of any of this .
Eddie , if you read these comments , and I hope you join us on the forum , or just watch from the sidelines , you were a fighter on the track , and we are , i 'm sure , all behind you , on your fight off the track . ATB matey , to you and your family .
Phil

I'm very sad to hear of Eddie's health problems, I'm sure all of us who have been involved in some way in the racing world will rally round to help.

If you're looking in Eddie, all the very best wishes for you and as Phil rightly said, you've always been a fighter.

Sorry to hear of this, especially after being such a great rider/athlete, to be taken down be this cruel disease seems so unfair.

Hopefully your will to win will pull you through all of this Eddie.


Nigel

Yes sad to hear this too, hang in there Eddie and we'd love to hear from you here.


David

I´d like to add my best wishes to you Eddie, and a speedie recovery. Al the best chum and keep the old pecker up.

Sad news indeed,hang on in there Eddie,you'll win this one mate.
HW

Keep your chin up Eddie, I am sure that you will fight this one like you did in MotoGP, you rode the wheels off that 500 and I am sure that you have the same winning spirit to beat this one (just think of the knight in the Monty Python sketch ,"tis but a mere flesh wound" !)

Thanks for the heads up Mo

Best wishes to Eddie and his family

My best wishes are with you Eddie

Very best of wishes for a speedy recovery Eddie. We're all rooting for you down on this corner!

Ray

Such sad news indeed. Eddie was and still is a legend of Irish motorsport.Best wishes for the future .

Regards Alan

:shameless bump:

Anyone had any news updates on Eddie?

Mo, you out there?

Yes, still here. Eddie's supporters had a really successful fundraising night for him although I did not get a final figure but it was attended by about 700 people. The auction went well and as far as I know it was a big success. I have not spoken to Eddie since then but I understand that he is on the mend and looking forward to riding motorcycles again. I will try again to get him on here as he would I am sure appreciate all of the good wishes.

Mo.

Many thanks for the info Mo, nice to hear that Eddie's on the up and up

Please keep us all informed if you can, there are many on the forum who are great fans of Eddie and I'm sure that all would wish him well