Sam always joked that when he got old he was going to set me up in an apartment near the Royal Hospital Chelsea, and he was going to move in as a Chelsea Pensioner. I don't think I was going to have much of a say in that choice LOL! So, with that in mind, it seems right to raise funds for them in lieu of flowers.

Having read the comments on Facebook and the comments in the sympathy cards I received, it is plain to see that Sam (or 'Raff' if you knew him in the army) meant a lot to many.

He was a gentle giant, a gentleman in the true sense and would help anyone, without question. He used to say "there's always a solution.  It might not be the one you want, but there's always a solution."

With his perpetual smile and sense of fun, he was always up for the craic (crack).     

One of our "things" together was raising funds for charity.  I know in my heart that if anything good can come out of this situation, Sam would be happy. I'm sure he'd agree that raising funds for the Chelsea Pensioners in lieu of flowers is something good.

Pat x