WILLIAM OSWALD BOWES  -  AGED 71

2ND MAY 1942  -  18TH JULY 2013

OSSIE was days away from enjoying a long awaited holiday with his family and grandchildren, when of his own accord he attended hospital suffering from excruciating leg pain.

Advised the condition was muscular, he was sent home with a prescription to alleviate the pain.  By late evening and with no relief, an emergency ambulance was urgently requested and he was rushed back to hospital.

Doctors struggled to identify the cause of his agony, however after many hours of distress and medication his pain appeared to subside and he finally drifted off to sleep.

Tragically he was found unresponsive during a routine ward observation - and despite their best efforts Hospital Staff were unable to revive him.  Only 12 hours had elapsed since Ossie first chose to visit the hospital the previous evening.

At the time of his passing Doctors were still no closer to diagnosing his illness.  A Coroner’s Inquest at a later date determined the cause of death as SEPSIS.

The UK SEPSIS TRUST are committed to creating awareness of SEPSIS to both health professionals and the general public.  Life saving treatment can be relatively straight forward in the form of fluids and intravenous antibiotics - if the condition is recognised in the first hour of arrival at hospital.

Despite this SEPSIS still accounts for 37,000 deaths in the UK every year – more than bowel cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer put together.

OSSIE was a wonderful man who touched the lives of many people and will always be remembered for his generosity of spirit, selflessness and kindness to others.  He is, and forever will be, greatly missed by his family, friends and the close community of Shildon.

Please keep his memory alive and help the UK SEPSIS TRUST save others by making a donation via this page.

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THREE PEAKS CHALLENGE - JUNE 28TH 2014

IN MEMORY OF OSSIE BOWES

Stuart is taking on the 3 Peaks Challenge in memory of his Dad and to raise further monies for the UK SEPSIS TRUST - this involves scaling the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales within 24 hours.

The challenge starts in the spectacular setting of the Scottish Highlands.  After summiting Ben Nevis he will head for the Lake District to climb Scafell Pike before the final drive to North Wales to tackle the last of the 3 peaks - Snowdon.

The timer starts at the foot of the first mountain and from that point Stuart will have only 24 hours to climb and descend each peak and journey between the locations – without any pause or stopping of the clock.

He will encounter knee deep snow and night time walking during the challenge which includes 743 kilometres of roads, 42 kilometres of hiking and a total ascent of 9,800 feet.  The Three Peaks is a tough event requiring many months of training, mental stamina and physical endurance.

Please sponsor Stuart by making a donation in memory of OSSIE.  Your support will help the UK SEPSIS TRUST save the lives of many people.