THE family of a veteran and former chef to the Royal Family are raising money in an effort to source him a powered wheelchair after being diagnosed with a brain disease.

Ordinarily Mark O’Brien Yeo, lives in Bude with his husband Terry who he has been with for 20 years. Having joined the army at age 17 years old, he trained and qualified as a chef. During his service, Mark won multiple awards, worked his way through the ranks in the Army, before finishing as House Sergeant to Commander of the British forces, the Aides-de-Camp to the Queen.

During his career, Mark brushed shoulders with royalty during dinner parties on many occasions, having even met the late Princess Diana.

Toni Barraclough, Mark’s sister said: “Mark then utilised his skills and worked as a head chef in several places, had been head hunted to work in specific hotels. Mark had a massive following due to his culinarily skills, wherever mark worked, many customers would follow.”

However, after becoming unwell during the Covid-19 pandemic, Mark and his family are now looking for the support of the region in an effort to source him a powered wheelchair.

“During Covid, Mark became extremely unwell which lead to him having a stroke and being diagnosed with long Covid,” Toni continued. “He has unfortunately been unwell ever since with a variety of issues.”

Following the deterioration of his health, doctors diagnosed Mark with Encephalopathy. This is a term used to categorise diseases or damage which cause malfunction of the brain, however, in Mark’s case, toxins that the liver and kidneys usually filter, are unable to and therefore travel to his brain and cause malfunction.

“This unfortunately has lead to him being immobile,” continued Toni. “He has tried many exercises to strengthen his muscles but this is to no avail, as this issue is the 'messaging from the brain'. Mark has been having many falls also which has lead to other hospital admissions.

“This means that Marks independence has taken a massive hit and he will be housebound when he is finally discharged.”

As such, Mark’s family have launched a GoFundMe page in an effort to raise money to help purchase a powered wheelchair to give Mark some of his freedom back and enable him to move around the house and get out into his garden, which Toni says is his 'happy place'.

So far, the community has come out in force, raising more than £1,100, however, with a goal of £2,000 there is still a way to go.

“I am appealing to anyone, including those that know and love him to help raise funds for this,” added Toni “Any amount no matter how small will help. Anything that is raised above and beyond will go towards other things that will improve Marks quality of life.”

More information about Mark’s story can be found and donations can be made via the family’s GoFundMe at: www.gofundme.com/f/trying-to-help-raise-money-for-a-small-powerchair