Crawley cancer survivor's bid to get Take That's Barlow to pal's 40th

Pound Hill resident Kreena Dhiman met her friends Atty Hussein and Clare Pullen in a queue at a Take That concert years ago.

Their friendship has grown and when Kreena, 36, was diagnosed with cancer two years ago, they stuck by her taking her out to gigs to keep her spirits up.

Following Kreena’s double mastectomy operation and reconstructive surgery, the trio set up a Twitter and Facebook campaign to get singer/songwriter Gary Barlow to Atty’s 40th birthday party in November.

If he comes it would not be the first time he has turned up and his fan’s special occasions.

The girls have hit about 1,000 Tweets every one to two days and their Facebook page now has more than 500 members.

Kreena said: “The past two years have been full of chemotherapy radiotherapy, surgery, hospital visits and a slow road to recovery.

“However through all that I’ve made some amazing memories thanks to Atty and Clare who have got me to various Take That gigs despite my illness.

“We’ve been to heaps of UK gigs but also been out to Milan and Dubai. The positivity they give me has allowed me to do more than just focus on my illness.

“It’s allowed me to truly live my life doing the things I love, because life is too short not to. And following Take That around is one of them.”

Barlow first made a name for himself as one of the lead vocalists in Take That. When the boyband announced their split in 1996 he went on to a successful solo career with hits including ‘Love Won’t Wait’ and ‘Open Road’.

In 2005 the band reformed, but Barlow kept other project going including writing music for stage musicals Finding Neverland and The Girls.

Kreena, Clare and Atty are touched by how much interest he shows in his face.

Kreena even had word from him as she lay in her hospital bed.

She said: “He cares so much for his fans it’s so humbling. Whilst I was ill he would message to ask how I was doing.

“When my friends met him at various gigs he would check in on my health and when I told him I was going to attempt to get to the last night of his run of The Girls in Manchester he told me I wouldn’t be welcome as my health should come first and he didn’t want to see me.

“He genuinely cares about the people who support him.

“I guess that’s why he offers to sing at fan weddings and birthdays. It’s his way of saying thank you.

She added: “I’m sure lots of people think we are bonkers because we give so much of our lives to Gary and the boys but the truth is, that’s our hobby and that’s what we love to do, so where’s the craziness in that.

“It’s become about more than just the boys, it’s become about love, friendship, fun and kindness.

“Atty is such a dear friend and has done so much for me.

“Getting Gary to her birthday would be the ultimate way for me to say thank you for the support that she has given me through the hard times, she’s always kept me smiling.

To join her mission, become a member of their Facebook group named after the hashtag they use on Twitter #GetGarytoAttys40th.