My brother Richard died on 24th August 2020 after not recovering from an operation to remove clusters of infection from his heart. He was 52 years old. His operation was a pioneering (in the UK) attempt to remove the clusters of infection using a type of vacuum pump. 

While the procedure went well, his heart was not strong enough to pull him through - some history explains why below. While the surgeon chose to offer the pioneering surgery as a means to save Richard's life, Richard also saw it as a way of enabling him to leave a legacy for future patients with the same diagnosis, as the operation had only been performed a handful of times elsewhere in the world and never in the UK.

Richard first suffered a heart attack at 22 and was diagnosed with Antiphospholipid syndrome, a disorder of the immune system that causes an increased risk of blood clots. There followed 2 strokes before he was 30 years old. As he often told me in the 7 weeks he was in the hospital leading up to his death, he had been living with a life sentence for 30 years. He put all his trust in doctors and the NHS to do what they could for him but always knew there were risks. 

Richard was unlucky to have Antiphospholipid syndrome but he never complained about his condition - it was never 'poor Richard' and he lived a full life in the hospitality industry, culminating in running his own Inn with rooms in Holcombe, Somerset. 

He was passionate about supporting the good work the British Heart Foundation do into research into heart issues. It is through their work and that of the NHS that Richard benefitted from the medical treatment for 30 years that gave him a full life and future research that will perhaps give future generations and even better chance at a longer life than Richard was given.

As we have to have a Covid restricted Funeral where so many of his friends can't attend, we are planning a life celebration when restrictions lift hopefully in 2021 with proceeds to The British Heart Foundation. We are asking for donations via this page rather than flowers for the funeral.

Richard will be missed as a brother to myself and Andrew, a partner to Charlotte, a Dad to Ollie and Millie and a great friend to many people.

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