This has been the hardest 2 weeks of my life, I still cannot believe you are gone.... & I am not ready for you leave, you leave behind a massive hole that none of us can fill. You were my dad, my best friend and someone I will always aspire to be. Grumpy, happy, funny & sarcastic in equal measure, we may not have always agreed on everything but I promise I always listened and the fact I don't have you around to listen to anymore breaks my heart. The best grandad (more importantly the only Grumpa!!) in the world and Martha's best friend, you fought so hard to be around for her and spend time together, she has so many memories that she will treasure forever. You did so much to help her grow into the beautiful young woman she is becoming and she loves you so much.

42 years ago you asked me if you could be my dad, I may have been to young at the time to understood what that really meant but now more than ever I understand, thank you for wanting to be my dad & thank you for never giving up on me. I love you x

p.s I know you were never particularly religious but I always remember you & mum saying this to us before we went to sleep at night

Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray the Lord my soul to keep;

If I should die before I wake,

I pray the Lord my soul to take.

Good night, sleep tight dad x