For those that didn't know Andy, he was one of my very best friends and I miss him terribly.  We were introduced by our wives in 2003 and very quickly became as thick as thieves. As our birthday's are on consecutive days (my birthday is 15th July, Andy's 16th) more years than not, we spent our birthday's together, drinking and laughing and partying with our friends and family.  This year we won't.  This year we can't because Andy isn't around anymore.

Andy was a wonderful man who made a lasting impression on everyone he met.  He was warm and kind, happy to sit and chat with anyone.  Prone to bursting in to song from his encyclopedic knowledge of music for absolutely no reason at all.  His terrible jokes belayed his fantastic sense of humour and, even when he got ill last year, that didn't stop the awful puns and the glee with which he made them.

We lost Andy to cancer in 2019.  It was quick and it was horrible.  I don't think I had really come to terms with him being ill, and then he was gone.  There are so many people that miss him.  If you wanted proof of the man he was well the crematorium was standing room only when we said our final goodbye.

That brings us to now, and the point of this page.  As the 15th and 16th July approach I want to do something to remember Andy on our birthday's.  The ask is very simple, anyone who was thinking of sending me a card or a present please don't, donate to charity instead.  

The charity I'm supporting is Widowed & Young (WAY).  They are a charity that help and support younger people dealing with grief and have done just that for Andy's widow Judith.  I know Andy would approve of any charity that is helping to look after his beloved Ju now that he can't.

So there you have it folks.  I'm not climbing Everest or running a marathon or doing anything that takes any effort on my part.  Quite the opposite.  I'm just asking that you don't send me a card or buy me a gift.  Instead please donate to WAY in Andy's memory.