On the 26th March 2020 Mick was taken to New Cross Hospital with suspected COVID-19. On the 12th April 2020 he passed away peacefully with his girls by his side.

During these two dates, we were unable to visit him until the end due to COVID-19. Not being able to visit your loved one is one of the most painful experiences we've known, but there was always a shining light.

The staff on the ICU wards at New Cross Hospital were nothing short of incredible. They looked after him, held his hand, talked to him and cared for him when we couldn't. They spoke to us daily, gave us updates, let us talk to him, listened as we asked questions about his condition and reassured us he was being looked after as if he was one of their own, taking our fears and sadness on their already stretched shoulders.

On the day we went to the hospital to say our goodbyes to Mickey Drip, we saw first hand how hard they work and dedicated the staff are in incredibly difficult circumstances. Despite what they are up against, each and every person we saw in the department spoke to us, reassured us how well he'd been looked after and how sorry they were that they couldn't save him. Multiple Nurses cried with us and gave us their precious time. When we thanked them each replied they didn't need thanks, it was their job, oblivious to the very real difference they had made to both us and Mick. There is nothing we can ever do to repay them properly.

Mick himself was a big character. Full of life, an eternal optimist, rarely (if ever) sad and always the first one to buy a round :)

If he was here he would be telling us not to be sad. He'd had a good innings, and to remember that life goes on. It feels fitting that we try and pay tribute to his memory by aiming to raise some needed funds for the incredible teams at New Cross Hospital.

Whatever amount you can spare (if any x) would be so very much appreciated. And in true Mick style, 'cheers pal!'