Though he fought with determination, strength and dignity he has sadly been taken from us.

Harmen Jan van Rijs
Beloved son, brother, husband, father and friend
30th August 1963 – 4th February 2007

 

After months of struggling to walk Harmen was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in September 2004.

MND is an incurable neurodegenerative disorder that affects some 5,000 people in the UK at any one time. The disease affects the parts of the body that connect the brain to muscles in the arms, legs, hands, feet, and mouth. The main symptom is that muscles initially weaken, and then progressively waste away. This causes difficulty in walking, speech, swallowing, use of the hands, and eventually to problems with breathing.

St Francis were there for Harmen in his final days to which his family and I will be eternally grateful.  For his funeral rather than flowers please make a donation to St Francis in his memory.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to donate: Hospice Of St Francis (Berkhamsted) Ltd will receive your money electronically and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in Gift Aid will be added to your donation at no cost to you.

Thank you all for your support, love and friendship

Helen van Rijs