Hello, my name is Bazil Figura, I’m a 61-year-old Training and Development Officer who works for a company in Norwich, I have grown up listening to Madness and the music has never lost its appeal.
The reason I am writing to you is in the hope you may be able to help me, allow me to explain;
I have been a widower for just over four years, I lost my beloved wife in 2015 to a very aggressive brain tumor, Marie was first diagnosed in 2012 and underwent three major operations between 2012 and 2015, unfortunately the last operation was too much on her failing body and she never recovered from the operation.
The staff at Addenbrooke’s hospital in Cambridge were brilliant, from the consultants, the surgeons, the nurses even down to the admin staff who arranged my stay on site during the long days and nights at my wife’s bedside at the hospital, but the group who helped in more ways than I can ever be thankful for were the Macmillan nurses.
They not only cared for my wife during her end of her life but they provided vital support for myself and the family as they understood those who are left behind have their own battles to fight; grief, sadness, acceptance and the practicalities of being alone and the expectations for being able to cope.
I will forever be in the debt for the time, kindness, understanding and help they gave to my family.
To help say thank you in a practical way to these brilliant and beautiful people I have signed up for Ride London 2020 and will be riding for Team Macmillan, in order to secure a coveted place, I have pledged to raise a minimum of £600.
In order to achieve my promise of £600 sponsorship I have come up with what I think is a clever way of fund raising – a charity auction of celebrity items.
So, I am writing to stars of stage, screen and TV, politicians, lords and ladies, sporting hero’s, icons of business and industry if fact as many people as I can think of. I realize not everyone will reply but if only 50% do then I’ll be on my way to achieving my goal
This is why I am writing to wonderful people like yourselves asking you to donate something that can be auctioned off, it can be absolutely anything, it could be a signed book or script, framed photo, an item of clothing – in fact anything that might raise interest. The bigger and more interesting or unusual the better.
I cannot think of a more iconic band who might be able to help me in some way, I know you must get inundated with requests such as this but in the hope you can help me achieve my goal I would be a fool not to approach you and ask for your kindness and help.
I will be getting in contact with my local commercial radio station to arrange the auction as they can give me enough media exposure to maximize my effort to hit my target.
So please, if you can help by donating something, anything that is signed or autographed that can be sold at auction you will be helping some very special people, special to me and my family for the kindness, compassion and support they gave when we needed it the most and special to the people they look after giving the exceptional care which is needed and appreciated by all.
I have also included the detail of my justgiving page where if you wish you can donate directly to my target. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Bazil-FiguraRideLondon2020
On behalf of my late wife, my family and myself thank you for taking the time to read my letter.
Kind regards

Oh also, I’m looking to release a single(ie Rockin in a flat and Tom hawk) I was wondering, and I know this is a bit hopeful, if I got some mixes down could I do a one single deal with lucky seven records?

Presale ticket code for gig in Oakland 2020.

Hi… excited to buy tickets for Boston… is there a presale for that venue? Code? can’t find anything…. don’t want to miss out… got friends coming from all over to see you there! xoxo

Thank you , thank you, thank you for coming back to the states. I’ll be buying tickets to the Boston show. My family took our first ever international holiday to see you in Cardiff last year and it was one of our best experiences ever. We love you guys and are so happy to have you in the US. Was I supposed to ask a question?….. Which band members are on Santa’s naughty list?

Do you sell a sheet music book with all of your songs? My partner plays the piano and is a HUGE fan!
I have only found websites that sell individual sheet music pages. It would be nice to have it in a book….
Thanks Nicole

Dear Chris,
What a jam packed 40XL of a year , topped off by a teaser of new material. In fitting with past, present and future themes, I would dearly love you to finally record sunshine voice in mash up of old and new tunes. God knows I’ve been banging on about this particular song on various media platforms for eons!! Possible?
Looking forward to new stuff next year.
Have a cracker of a Christmas and love to you all and all the mad heads out there.
Regards Eric
Ps. As your last correspondent highlighted , I too was in a band in the mid naughties- a scaled down ska band called Fullstop. We did a mixture of originals and covers Inc the prince, and in our own little way did ok supporting the Beat in Manchester in 2004 and getting Horace Panter guesting on bass at a one off gig in Coventry. This proved how democratic and real the 2tone movement was in connecting with the people. If you have time or inclination you can check out the band on my YouTube site along with my solo non ska songs under my name Eric Coudrill

Good Afternoon,

This is a random question. My name is Tom from a pub called the Royal in Tankerton. Suggs is a regular in here when he visits Whitstable, Just wondering if we were to do a one off event here would you be interested and how much would you charge.

Just out of curiosity more so, to see it it would be fee sable.

Thanks,
Tom

I’m sure you get this question all the time but I just noticed you will be touring in America in May… I notice you’re not playing in LA or San Diego… Do you think you guys will add dates and make that happen? I do not wanna miss you guys this time around and I have to get a ticket to another area I will… Thank you

Hi Chris, I’ve seen you live six times now and I’ve loved it every time. Keep up the excellent work! My question to you is, what is your favourite song to perform live?

hi chris I saw you on the way to London I was of to see harry potter play you were on the train from brighton you knew I recognied you but kept my distance but I realy wanted to shake your hand to say thank for the 40 years you made me happy I hope to see a new album in 2020

Hello Chrissyboy. Very nearly had my Madness themed pinball machine at H.O.F this year but it wasn’t quite ready. You may have some stuff coming your way via management to sign to go on it ready for next year, they are very keen to see it in the flesh. Fancy a go on it when it’s done ?!

Hiya Chris I hear you & the boys have had another cracking HOF Wkender unfortunately I couldn’t make it this year but I have been to 7 of these and have throughly enjoyed seeing my Idol’s.
But I hear that 2020 will be your last HOF could you please tell me why ?

Hi chris!
We’re at the madness butlins weekend and I was just wondering if I could make it extra special and have my dad meet the guys. He’s been in a ska tribute band and has been supporting you for years. He’s rubbed off his love of Madness onto me and my brother as well!! Our family has been through a difficult time recently and we’re using this weekend as a way to forget about it. Please 🙂