Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

This is for my beautiful Firstborn Son, Richard, known to a lot of you as simply Eddy after the character from the Young Ones.

He was funny, intelligent and cared so much for his friends and family, helping them in so many ways.

From a child, I was always amazed at where his intelligence came from. I can remember him being chased around the house by his Dad for taking one of his gadgets apart as Rich wanted to see how it worked and he was caught in the act of putting it back together again! His father probably should have left him too it as I'm sure he would have worked it out..

At a young age, he could listen to a piece of music and without any training, work out within minutes how to play on his keyboard or flute.

He was often in his own little world and I remember his teacher at school at age 15 telling me that he was unable to teach Richard anything more as Richard knew more than him and could teach him things.

I had a similar message given to me by my IT colleague when Richard did some summer work with me during his Uni years and he helped me to take off running when I had to learn to use computers fast in my first proper role back at work after raising my family (he often had to repeat instructions as he was too fast for me, but kept on until his not so intelligent mother got it 😂!).

He was a gentle giant who really came into his element when he started Uni at Edinburgh, making a lot of friends and graduating with 1st class honours, following on from that to become a Doctor of computer science.

He gathered a lot of friends over the years and I know always wanted to be there for them and help as much as he could.

I cannot put into words all the wonderful things he was and did, but you as his friends and his brother and sister and bigger family will know his ways and complexities and I believe hold them in your hearts with love.

Sadly over the last few years he started to lose his own way; I'm not sure why and I wish we, his family had realised sooner, so we might have been able to get him the help he so desperately needed before it took him over.

He fought hard to try to get out of the hell he was often living, but lost the battle on 3rd November 2023, not deliberately, he so wanted to get well but his body had taken too many falls and used too many lives and gave up on him.

So my big, beautiful boy is gone. He will be forever in our hearts and minds and the pain of not being there for him or being able to help will always be there.

I have picked this charity as they provide help to people in similar situations to Richard (Eddy).

They provide help and support to people with drug and alcohol issues and if any of you are able to donate it may help someone else to survive.

Much love to all of you. Xxxx

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