My father was an adventurer. When I was small, he would send us postcards from Sri Lanka, Egypt, and many UK based locations, bringing back little treats and gifts from his travels, he loved to see the world and meet new people. As I and my siblings got older, we took an interest in sport. Myself and my sister into sprinting and jumping, his eldest son into long distance and his youngest son into football, with us so busy competing his adventures remained home bound. At first watching us in support then slowly he began coaching us, and newcomers to athletics at Ipswich Harriers, our local club. As we began to grow more, my brothers and sister starting their own families and me venturing off to University my father threw himself into athletics, and after some training began officiating events. He always worked hard, and it showed when he became a top UK official. The 2012 Olympic Games was a proud moment for my father, all his training and achievements saw him on television showing his love for his craft and growth in his new chosen field.

Those travels around the world began again and this time his athletic career took him there. New Zealand, Hong Kong, and many UK locations, he was seeing the world again, all whilst operating 2 businesses and honouring his commitments to British Athletics. 2017 saw him planning a big trip, many weeks touring Australia, something he has always wanted to do and with the past few years of hard work behind him, he truly deserved the time off. Unfortunately for my father the day he went to the doctors to get his checks for his upcoming trip, only a week before his flight he was hit with the news of his tumour, from being so busy he hadn’t noticed he was sick. His trip was cancelled and on the 16^th October 2017 he was given the frightening news that he may only have 2 months to live.

This of course would cause many to shut down, accept their fate, not my father, this spurred him on!

He attended his treatments with the same attitude and determination he had for his business endeavours, nothing was to stand in his way, he was going to recover. He passed the 2 months milestone, then 6 months, and after a year and his tumour under control he realised that his life had changed due to cancer and he was going to do everything he could to stop others from going through the same life altering experience. He arranged yearly charity walks around his beloved Olympic Stadium with his fellow athletic officials, his sons arranged charity football matches with their friends but most importantly he began trials at The Royal Marsden Hospital in London. He was prepared to risk his newfound health to aid future treatment for others.

After 3 years of fighting cancer, raising thousands of pounds for Cancer Research UK, spreading as much awareness as he could and proving to himself and his family that he could do anything he put his mind to, my father passed away peacefully on the 16^th October 2020, 3 year since his 2 month diagnosis. He never did anything half hearted and was so strong willed all the way through difficult treatments and hospital visits.  

In the wake of his passing I have been flooded with love from family and friends but much of the love I have received has been from those I’ve never met. Athletic officials, athletes themselves and those who have followed his journey from the beginning of his athletic career over the years. He was adored by so many and with him in mind I thought it best to continue his fundraising efforts but this time in his memory. Those who are wanting to make a donation to my father’s charity of choice, Cancer Research UK, I thank you so much for supporting him and thank you for taking the time to read my father’s story.

Although his adventures with us are over, I hope that those who loved and supported him throughout his career and his illness will remember him as a fighter, a friend, and a comrade.