Chicco goes home! Mystery donor helps grant popular York market trader his dying wish
York market trader Chicco Peddis is back home after an amazing response to his family’s fundraising campaign.
A crowdfunder has raised more than £11K to pay for Chicco, who is terminally ill with cancer, to return to his homeland, Sardinia, where he can see out his final days.
He has travelled out there with his family. The fundraiser reached its target thanks to a £3K donation from a York resident who didn’t want to be identified.
Chicco, also known as Kiko and Paolo, has sold jewellery from his stall on Shambles Market for about six years.
Very sadly, however, Chicco was diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer, and doctors estimate he only has months to live. He is 62.
Getting him home on a medically-equipped aircraft was too expensive for the family before the good people of York responded in their hundreds to help.
His daughter Nicoletta said: “Thanks to everyone who donated Chicco is now in Sardinia.
“His dream of spending his last months in his homeland came through only because so many people stepped in to help. Thank you from Chicco and from all of us.
“Also, a huge thank you to the anonymous donor that with an extremely generous donation brought us all the way up to our target!”
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Chicco’s friend and fellow York market trader Kev Tuohy said: “It’s wonderful news that Chicco is going home.
“The family have, with the generosity of many caring people , raised enough funds for his air ambulance to Sardinia.
“I am so pleased for Chicco and I’m sure I speak for many others in saying a special thank you to him for enriching our lives with his personality and unique persona.”