Andy was diagnosed with a rare form of Thoracic Cancer in November 2017. Having had no real signs or symptoms, the original prognosis came as a total shock to him, family and friends. The severity of the orignal prognosis resulted in Andy starting chemotherapy almost immediately. With his world turned upside down and that of his family and friends, including his wife Nicola, his 3 year old son Archie, sister Sarah and a doting set of parents, Andy bravely faced up to a series of unrelenting and ongoing treatments with awe inspiring tenacity and strength. Although having a number of set backs, Andy continued to fight this indiscriminate disease and amazed us all with his positivity. Every day was a challenge with changing horizons. Unfortunately, having fought it to the end, he finally lost his battle in the early hours of 20th February with his family at his side.

I met Andy at University in 1993, he subsequently was my usher at my wedding and godparent to my eldest son. Whilst at University we played together in the uncompromising leagues of the Potteries as fellow centre halves; to survive we needed to have each ‘others back‘ at all times, a strong bond of trust.

To recognise Andy‘s thirst for life, I had planned to run the Grantham Half Marathon (4 March), Fleet Half Marathon (18 March), London Marathon (22 April) and finish with the Worksop (Andy’s home town) Half Marathon on 28 October 2018. Unfortunately due to the adverse weather, both the Grantham and Fleet races were cancelled.

Although initially we were hoping to help Andy, we will in time know how best to use the kind donations and I will keep you informed accordingly.

Thank you.