On May 15th 2024 my beautiful brother, Steve, sadly lost his fight with cancer aged just 40. He had always been a fit and healthy young man and had always led an active life serving in both the police force and in the RAF. Less than two years ago we very proudly got to watch him marry the love of his life, Maddie. He told me he felt he was 'riding on the crest of a wave' and they were both excited to be making plans for their futures together.

At the end of November 2023, after visiting the doctor with a lingering cough that wasn't improving, Steve was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. He was given the prognosis of 3 years and so whilst totally devastated, we remained hopeful that we had time to spend together and to make memories.

After his first round of immunotherapy in December Steve became unwell and was admitted to hospital. In the months that followed his health deteriorated quickly and he probably spent less than a month at home, needing frequent re-admission spending time at Shrewsbury, Telford and then Stoke hospitals.

On 5th May he was blue lighted to Stoke hospital struggling to breathe and on 6th May we were told that we should prepare for the worst. Steve picked up a bit in the 48 hours that followed but was still incredibly poorly. He hated being in hospital and so the the news that he was going to be admitted to Severn Hospice in Shrewsbury came as very welcome news. Steve was so desperate to have a ‘good death’ and really did not want to be in hospital when the time came so this was just the best news for him.

During Steve's time at the hospice, one of his final wishes was granted and that was to be able to spend time with his beloved dog, Lil, who spent hours curled up on his bed with her head on his knee. Over the next few days Maddie, my Mum and Dad, my boys and I were able to spend time with him in a 'home from home'. We talked and hugged, laughed and cried, before we then had to say our final goodbyes. Steve was always treated with such kindness, dignity and respect and this was also extended to us as his family and I will be forever grateful for this.

Severn Hospice is a very, very special place and its staff truly angels in disguise. Thank you will never be enough for everything that they did for Steve and us as his family in those darkest of hours. I would very much like to create something positive from his passing and so I will be running the London Marathon on 27th April 2025 (which would have been his 41st birthday!). In doing so, I hope to raise funds to ensure that Severn Hospice can continue to do the amazing work that they do and also ensure that more people and their families can receive the wonderful care and support that we did.

During his life Steve touched many lives and in this way we can continue to spread his light. I would be so grateful for all your support!