Many people will know Chicco Peddis, one of the most colourful characters on Shambles Market in York.
Chicco, also known as Kiko and Paolo, has sold jewellery from his stall on the market for about six years.
Very sadly, however, Chicco has been diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer, and is terminally ill. Doctors estimate he only has months to live. He is 62.
He’s now receiving excellent care in St Leonard’s Hospice in York. But his dearest wish is to spend his last months in his homeland, Sardinia.
Getting him there is a huge challenge. The Italian embassy will fund medically-equipped aeroplanes to airlift people who need lifesaving treatment back to Italy.
But because Chicco is beyond treatment, no money is available.
Instead the only hope is for his family to fund the flight themselves. The cost is put at between £15,000 and £17,000. His wife and daughters have put in all the money they can afford but that has still left a shortfall.
So they have launched a Bring Chicco Home fundraising campaign.
“Our father has been a shepherd and a farmer for most of his life and has a very deep bond with the land where he was born, and we want to do everything we can to grant him his wish,” his daughters say.
“We know it’s a big sum, but we only ask everyone to donate whatever little they can and together we might be able to bring Chicco home.”
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Friend and fellow York market trader Kev Tuohy said: “Kiko is a very warm and colourful character. He seems to have an aura about him – people are drawn to him, both in Sardinia and here in York where he is so well known.
“He’s always done his own thing and is lovely with it. It would be marvellous if we could get him back home.”
Folk in York and Sardinia have left messages with their contributions. One said: “I hope we’ll get you back home, lovely man!”
Another said simply: “Will miss you on the market Paolo.”