Abseil for NETs – in memory of Heidi and Gary Veacock

Such Sad news. I was totally shocked to hear some heart-breaking news late on 5th February 2026. I had been online friends with Gary Veacock, a recently retired Lt Col in the Royal Marines. As a veteran, the comradeship was instant. Initially he would ask questions about NET and my experience. I guess he was keen to hear about others experiencing the same condition as his wife Heidi. Later on, I helped him fundraise for Heidi via a Royal Marines sponsored abseil organised by Gary with all proceeds going to Royal Free London, one of the top NET centres of Excellence in the world. The news I received was from public media sources and I was profoundly shocked to read that both Gary and Heidi have passed away. Gary passed unexpectedly on Monday, January 12, from undiagnosed high blood pressure. A statement from Amber posted on 5th March 2026, “We never imagined we would be sharing another message like this so soon after losing Dad, but it is with great sadness that we let you know that Mum, Heidi Veacock, passed away at home on Sunday 1st March, with us by her side, after a long journey with neuroendocrine cancer and carcinoid disease”.

My thoughts are with Amber and Mia

Please note the fundraising in the original post below is replaced with new fundraising sources as follows:

Future abseiling events have been planned by the Royal Marines as a tribute to Gary – click here if you wish to donate or take part.

Loved-ones have since launched an online fundraiser to support Amber and Mia – click here if you wish to donate.

Original post February 2025 (less charity links which are now above)

I have some online friends who I speak to more on message than in public pages or in my private group. I’ve been chatting with Gary (Gaz) Veacock for over 3 years and watching the path of his wife Heidi who is being looked after by the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust – one of the world’s top places for treating NETs. Heidi was diagnosed with a NET around 4 years ago and has had surgery and 6 sessions of PRRT and open heart surgery (at St. Barts). Gary is currently serving in the military and we intend to meet up if Chris and I are travelling close to where they live in beautiful South Devon.

Gary and Heidi are in payback mode and are helping to organise a charity abseil for the Royal Free Hospital charity. It will be in the form of an Abseil down The Pears Building right next to Royal Free. In fact Heidi is taking part! Gary is a Royal Marine and those who know about this elite fighting force will be aware they are pretty good at this sort of thing. Gary has organised a team of Royal Marines to provide the equipment and supervise the abseil.

Having been diagnosed with a Neuroendocrine Tumour almost 5 years ago, the treatment and service provided to Heidi (my wife), has been nothing short of exceptional. From the outset, the staff we have routinely dealt with, including Professors Caplin, Toumpanakis and Dr Davar have been amazing. I am indebted to them for the first-rate support they have kindly provided. During our frequent visits to the Royal Free Hospital, I have been inspired by the level of professionalism provided by all staff. For me, the importance of effective teamwork is something that resonates with me as a current serving Royal Marines Officer. As a high performing team, it is not about you, it is about supporting your work partner and remainder the team. This is a key mantra with being a Royal Marine. Given the skills I have been fortunate to acquire during my 38-year military career, I am keen to deliver this abseil event to let individuals experience an activity we routinely undertake within the Royal Marines. Whilst not exhaustive, this will include abseiling in a mountainous and cold weather environment, and equally from helicopters in the jungle to ships within the maritime domain. Consequently, this event will provide an ideal opportunity to raise much needed funds for the Royal Free Hospital Foundation, which has 12,000 employees that provides support to c2 million patients each year. I encourage you to participate, and if you are slightly apprehensive about the abseil, do not worry, as you will receive excellent instruction from Royal Marines Mountain Leaders. Come and join us!

Thanks for reading.

Ronny

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