Steven was born in the RoyalGwentHospital on 28 July 1980.  He was very close to his family, and from the beginning of his life just like at the end of his life he was there to help, support and comfort all around him when the times were tough.    His consultant, Dr Miles Allison, is running in memory of Steven and other patients from Gwent looked after at home by St David’s.

 

From the age of 9 months Steven was a natural in the water.   He won the Best Swimmer award later in JuniorSchool, and at the age of 10 swam in the Swimathon to raise money for charity and to the family’s astonishment as they marked off every length, he swam the 200 lengths in 1 hour and 40 minutes.  He went on to complete more Swimathons when he improved his times and the amount of money that he raised for charity each year.

 

As well as his swimming which more than kept him busy, he joined the 10 Newport Boys Brigade as an Anchor Boy when he was 5.  He progressed to the Junior Section and in his last year in the Junior section of Boys Brigade he won the Best Boy award.  He went up to the Company Section and became an Officer, also achieving his Queens Badge.

 

Steven left school at the age of 16 and became a life guard and swimming teacher.    He taught thousands of children in all schools in Newport bar one.  Anyone who knew him would agree that he absolutely loved his job. He climbed up the ladder of the Leisure section of Newport City Council to become an Operations Manager at the Active Living Centre.

 

Just weeks before he passed away he was advising all who would listen on new cleaning methods he had watched the cleaners carrying out at the Royal Gwent Hospital and insisted on telling his Manager about things that he thought he ought to know about the Plant room.  Steven made some wonderful friends throughout his working career and along with all of his other friends they were a great source of comfort to him in the last few months proving what true friends really are. 

 

Steven married in May 2011 in Cyprus, and returned to settle down to married life in a new house that he and his wife had purchased. In June 2011 he completed a 24 hour gym marathon with his friends for the Sparkle Appeal.

 

For the last year of his life Steven suffered with indigestion, and it was discovered in October 2011 that Steven had stomach cancer, which is thankfully an extremely rare condition amongst people under the age of 55.  Throughout his illness he worried more about the impact that his incurable illness was having on those around him, and was an inspiration to all.  After a brave battle for 2 months in hospital, and at home with amazing support from his family doctor and the St David’s Nurses, Steven passed away on the 21 December at home aged 31 with his family all around him. The legacy that he left for us will never be forgotten.