The Maureen Barclay MPT Report 2026 – The team’s heartbeat delivers her thanks for this year.
THE MERCURY PHOENIX TRUST IN MONTREUX AND THE 39TH QUEEN CONVENTION – Maureen Barclay
– Maureen and Pete Barclay oversee the Merchandise Stalls at the Official Freddie Mercury Birthday Party and the Queen Fan Club Convention –
With both events behind us and the final fundraising figures in, it’s time to acknowledge the many people who helped make them such a success.
This year marks my 33rd year of fundraising for the Mercury Phoenix Trust, and I am hugely grateful to everyone who continues to support our efforts.
There are several special people I would like to recognise for their generosity and contributions over the years.
First, I would like to remember Lynda Madement, a wonderful lady and huge Queen fan who did so much for the MPT. In the early days, she helped keep our merchandise stall going for several years, supplying the ever-popular Queen teddy bears, along with T-shirts and hoodies featuring colourful stone designs on the backs. After Lynda sadly passed away, I was told that she had left her entire Queen collection to the MPT. Having carefully sorted through it, we were able to put together a wonderful selection of items to sell at both Montreux and the Convention.
One of her hoodies, kindly signed by Brian, went to Montreux with us and raised an incredible CHF 185. I know Lynda would have been delighted to know that her collection is continuing to raise money for the charity she loved so much.
Colin Dobson also deserves special recognition; Colin has been designing and making his wonderful wooden etchings for me for many years. He is a remarkably creative guy, and Brian and Roger are always happy to sign his work for us. These pieces are invariably among the first items to sell wherever we go, making a tremendous contribution to our fundraising. Colin, your time, skill and dedication are invaluable
I would also like to mention the talented Jessica Seal, who lives in the States and paints denim jackets as a hobby. She generously donated two jackets this year.
Michelle and Krissel also donated their artwork to the MPT. We are fortunate to have so many creative people willing to put their skills to so much use.
Then there is my brother Stan, who builds guitars as a hobby and has now donated four to our fundraising efforts. One of his guitars, signed and played on video, raised £3,000 at Montreux one year. This year, another featured in our auction at the convention and raised a fantastic £1,500.
It’s wonderful to see how much generosity and creativity surrounds us. Every donation helps us raise vital funds for the Mercury Phoenix Trust and its work.
None of this would be possible without our fantastic teams!!
To everyone who helped us in Montreux, you were brilliant. Nick, you are a great leader; thank you for all you do. I didn’t get any socks, though!!!
And to the great team at the Convention, your hard work, enthusiasm and support are hugely appreciated.
What we achieve comes down to teamwork, and that’s exactly what we have: one big, brilliant team, all working towards a cause that means so much to us.
One member of that team deserves a very special mention: my husband Pete. I honestly could not do this without him. He is brilliant and the best, and I am so lucky to have him by my side through it all. “THANK YOU, BABE.”
AND SO TO THE TOTALS…
At the Official Freddie Mercury Birthday Party on the Merchandise Stall in Montreux we raised £14,479.11 — our biggest total to date.
At the Queen Convention in Mablethorpe we raised £6,724.74 through the Merch Stall and an auction.
The grand total was £21,203,85.
These fantastic results reflect the generosity of everyone who donated, bought merchandise, bid in our auctions or gave their time to help.
Together we will continue to raise vital funds for the Mercury Phoenix Trust.
If anyone has items they would like to donate to help with future fundraising, I would be delighted to hear from you. I will gladly receive each item and discuss with the donor how best it can be used to support the Trust.
On a personal note, it was a joy to have a chat with Freddie’s sister Kashmira, our very special guest of honour at the birthday party. It was a very special moment for me. The first time we met was in 1998 in an Art Gallery in Wakefield. I was hosting the Freddie Mercury Photographic Exhibition.
THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART
Love to you all,
Maureen.
DONATIONS – If you wish to donate items to Maureen for The MPT, please get in touch with her at: maureen.barclay@hotmail.com