Susan was a frequent visitor to Hampton Pool over many years and described it as her 'happy place'. The photo here is Susan celebrating her 60th birthday with a group of friends from the gym & pool. Sadly, this was only last year.

The money that we raise together in memory of Susan will go towards paying for one of the silver birch trees planted in the new garden by the main gate to the pool site. This garden was financed and installed by Hampton Pool Trust as part of the renovations ongoing on the site.

Three of the four silver birch trees have been named already. The remaining tree will now be the "Gym Bunnies & Bucks Circuits" (or similar!) tree. It will not be specifically Susan's tree, but it will be sponsored by us in her memory and we will get the chance to propose a name for this tree. More on naming the tree via WhatsApp...

Susan was indomitable and talented. There's one of her paintings in the gallery and nothing was more delightful than the video of Sue playing chopsticks on her brand new floor keyboard! As for the Boxing Day charcuterie board - how did she manage to consume that lot?!

Here are a few thoughts from her gym friends at Hampton Pool:

Susan F: A dear, very talented person. I remember when she was quite shy and reserved with us as a group at one time then became more confident - I can hear that giggle now.

Barbara: Susan was a lovely little woman. Because of her size she was subjected to some very unkind ridicule, but never at Hampton Pool. She said Hampton Pool was her safe happy place because everybody saw her as Susan, a lady with a great drive and determination. Sadly she also had frailties (don’t we all) but she was at her happiest amongst us all so I hope this will bring a little bit of comfort to you all. I just wish Susan had been able to fulfil her ambitions. She impressed me enormously with her stoicism.

Becky: Absolutely shocking and tragic news about Susan, who was such a determined person, and didn't let her height disadvantage get in the way of how she lead her life. It was laudable the way she took on endless physical challenges that nobody else in her situation would dream of doing, and she was so incredibly focused on the goal in hand. I've always been full of admiration for her. Unbelievable to think she's no longer with us.

Sam: She was amazing in so many ways. Also a talented artist, she loved to sit in the Woodland Gardens in Bushy Park and do watercolours. I’m so glad she enjoyed her time with us all at Hampton Pool. We all loved her and I hope she knew it. I think she did, as she was so chuffed when we organised that lunch at the Jolly Coopers for her 60th. Taken far too early but she certainly made the most of her life.

Paul: This is such sad news it brought a tear to my eye, she had such a great sense of humour. One of my fondest memories was when we got paired together in one of Richard’s classes: me being 6ft and 20 stone, she labelled us the little and large pairing. She didn’t hear what Richard asked us to do so she said 'what did Richard say?' I told her 'he wants us to piggyback our partner!' She looked me up and down and we then spent the next 5 mins giggling.

Clare N:

The Bunnies & Bucks of the pool

Found a Garden so pleasant and cool

Where they felt very Safe

In a shared Happy Place

'neath a birch at the pool

And from us all: Rest in peace dear Susan

And now to business! By sponsoring one of the birch trees in Sue's memory we will enable the Hampton Pool Trust to divert funds to other projects. The new garden is very much in need of additional sponsorship, so lets see if we can smash the target for the tree!!

Our target amount is £1000, which is based on rough costs for 1 tree. This includes the silver birch tree, container, installation (delivery, labour, soil etc) and a plaque.

Any excess funds will be put to good use by Hampton Pool Trust to enhance the place that Susan so loved to be around.