Living With Trevor

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In 2009 my friend Barry had what doctors at first believed was a stroke, six months later a brain scan revealed an inoperable brain tumour. He was told that he had no more than five years left to live. However anyone who knows Barry, knows that he is a fighter, a man that likes to take on a challenge. He named the tumour Trevor and has learned to live life with a renewed vigor, knowing that each new day brings him closer to his last.

I have known Barry for fifteen years. He is a unique character, an ordinary man who's life has changed utterly. What has always characterised him is his humour and positivity. We are separated now by the Irish Sea, I live in Mayo and he lives in Essex. However we have had many long chats via Skype and Facebook, and Barry has enjoyed coming to Ireland a number of times, always taking back a box of Barry's Teabags as evidence of his visit. Although only in his early forties he has a lot to say about his condition and life in general. The idea of the documentary came about when we were discussing how he might pass on wisdom to his son. I realised then that there was a film to be made, a film that would be difficult [for me] to make, but would allow an ordinary man to say something about cancer, life, love, family, work and friends, to leave a legacy and perhaps inspire others. The longest anyone has lived with his condition is fifteen years, Barry hopes to defy the doctors and Trevor, not only surpassing the five years he has been given, but outlasting the fifteen years that is his personal target.

Your donation would be used to help make the documentary. Everyone who has agreed to work on the film is unpaid, but dedicated to it's realisation. We plan to film Barry over the next ten months. That involves renting equipment, a few ferry trips, petrol, renting accommodation when filming, all costs that mount up. Fifteen hundred Euro would go a long way to helping us make the documentary.

My name is Len Collin. I am a screenwriter by trade and have worked on many TV programmes in the past, including Eastenders, The Bill, The Clinic and Ultimate Force. In recent years I too have had a life change, employment has been hard to come by, I have returned to study and hope to become a filmmaker in my own right. This would be my first documentary.

I thank you for your time and to those who donate I am eternally grateful.
Regards

Len Collin
Director - Living With Trevor