Malcolm was born in on , to Penny and Robert Brookman.  On Malcolm’s first birthday the family moved to Kintbury, where his brother Stuart was born, before moving to Upper Denford, where sister Helen completed the family.

Malcolm’s education began at Cherry Monroe’s nursery school in Hungerford Newtown, Kintbury and then Hungerford primary schools, where he quickly showed a caring nature and interest in the environment.  Whilst studying for O levels, at John O’ Gaunt school, he began running cross-country at local and regional levels, and singing in Hungerford church choir, where he became head chorister, leading the memorial parade in 1989.

Malcolm’s talent and acting ability showed at an early age, in ‘the Hobbit’ at , and subsequent school productions, but it was with Newbury Community Theatre that he was ‘discovered’ by National Youth Theatre Director Ed Wilson.  Malcolm’s performance in the lead role of Speargrass, as ‘young William’, was memorable enough to win him a subsequent place as the youngest ever member of the National Youth Theatre, performing in the West End shows ‘Nightshriek’ and the 30^th anniversary of the . 

Despite the publicity and acclaim that his performances generated he declared that a career in acting was ‘too frivolous’ for him, and went on to complete his A levels at St. Bart’s, Newbury, before gaining a degree in Environmental and Ecological Sciences at The University of North London.  His lifelong love of , and surfing, persuaded him to complete his thesis based on the quality of water and the effects of pollution off the , and he presented his findings to ‘Surfers Against Sewage.’  The information was used to assist in their case for modern sewage treatment plants instead of the continued use of ‘screened’ sewage outfalls off many Cornish beaches.

 After a brief period of work with the environment agency, Malcolm was invited to start a successful career in recruitment for the Pharmaceutical industry, leading most recently to his post with ‘Shire’ in .

All his life Malcolm loved to travel, from a canoe-camping trip to with his grandparents, Pam & Chris Malcolm, at the age of four, to , , and , , and more recently assorted trips to distant parts of the globe. 

In 2001 Malcolm was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma and, with the help of some very special friends and family, began a concerted fight to overcome the illness through chemotherapy and eventually radiotherapy.  His businesslike approach included study and research into every possible treatment and drug prescribed, or available, and the ability to discuss it’s effects both professionally and as a recipient.  His evaluations and  comments were usually delivered with a smile, but in a firm and matter-of-fact tone that earned him the nickname of ‘Dr. Malcolm’.

Malcolm beat that cancer, and wrote a review of his experiences that was published in the hospital newsletter, to encourage people not to be overwhelmed by what he re-titled the little ’c’.  Through 8 years in remission Malcolm celebrated and motivated, even ignoring a series of serious heart-attacks until they necessitated surgery, but immediately returning to a full and active life.  He always knew that the treatments that he had endured left a legacy of risk, let alone the risk of further cancer, but he refused to let that limit him.

Ill health in Autumn 2009 involved tests that led to a diagnosis of Mylodisplasia, failing bone-marrow, that necessitated a stem cell transplant.  The shocking news was met with his usual organized and methodical planning, and the beginning of blood and platelet transfusions and tests for a donor, finally resulting in admission to UCLH on New Year’s Eve.  With typical good humour he announced that he never thought he’d be happy to be told happy he couldn’t celebrate, and began encouraging everyone he knew, and those he didn’t, to register and give blood.   He never contemplated the idea of giving up, and was unselfish in his wish to inform others of the importance of saving life, by something as simple as blood donation, or registration on a list of stem cell donors.

 Malcolm enjoyed life to the full…  In the last few years he has been happier than ever, meeting and falling in love with Karen, taking her to favourite beaches and restaurants.  Their wedding took place on March 23^rd, and was a wonderful and happy occasion.

He passed away peacefully, with his wife by his side, on Monday 5^th April.

As Malcolm himself said….making a donation to the Anthony Nolan Trust is easy, and after all someone else’s donation is going to save my life.  If you’d like to make a donation, I know money is tight so you can always give blood or platelets, better still join the Anthony Nolan register – its very easy; a mouth swab or a blood test and then a couple more if you are matched to someone, the horror stories aren’t true, It’s only us patients that suffer in the short term!! Go on line and do it now…please.

Penny Brookman

 

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