Neil passed away in August 2013 after a long and difficult battle with pancreatic cancer.

Up until September 2012 Neil was fun loving and hard working - a man who lived life to the full. He was a wonderful Husband, a brilliant Father, a great Son and a fun Brother.

Neil enjoyed sport all throughout his life. He excelled at football and tennis in his younger years and in 1984 Neil picked up his first golf club - this became his passion and subsequently his career for the next 23 years.

Neil won his first golf tournament at Weston Turville Golf Club and ironically this is where Neil landed his first job as an Assistant in the Pro Shop. Neil then got offered a job as Assistant Pro at The Oxfordshire Golf Club and later became their Golf Professional after having qualified. 

In 2003 Neil applied for the position as the Professional at Ferndown Golf Club and out of nearly 100 applicants Neil was successful in securing the position. Neil loved his job at Ferndown - he was always a dignified gentleman and known to all the members as a kind happy person with a great sense of humour. He was a wonderful golfer and a very patient teacher. Trying to please golf club members is the hardest job in the world but Neil had it down to a fine art!! 

In 2005 Neil and I started dating. We had known each other for a while already as I was working behind the bar part time at Ferndown Golf Club during my studies. We got engaged in April 2009 and married in June the following year. In 2011 we welcomed into the world our beautiful baby boy Oscar - we were incredibly proud.

Just after Oscar's 1st birthday Neil was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He had a major 10 hour operation at the start of October to remove the tumour which was successful. Neil began a course of chemotherapy at the beginning of December. Unfortunately in January a scan showed that the chemotherapy had been unsuccessful and the cancer had returned and spread into the liver. Neil continued with 8 week cycles of various chemotherapies, none of which were successful. In July, after what was to be his last course of chemotherapy, Neil's health quickly deteriorated and he passed away on 2nd August 2013 surrounded by the people that loved him most.

He fought such a courageous battle but is now at peace. The way that he bore his illness and his enduring cheerfulness and optimism in the face of such suffering was extraordinarily brave.

We thank God for Neil's life - he left a part of himself in Oscar, a very special gift.

So please dig deep and donate now so we can help find a cure for this incredibly brutal disease. No other families should have to endure the heartbreak of losing someone so very special at such a young age as we have.

We will all miss you dearly Neil. Life will never be the same without you.