For Dad From your little girl, Ruth In my work I try to bring people's stories to life, But Dad's story, is my life, He shaped the person I am, the type of person I want to be. He had fun, He read, a lot, He was a fan of sci-fi, and folk music, He travelled. He played golf, He wore bright, jazzy clothes, He laughed, He enjoyed life. He cared, He listened, He learned, He loved, and was loved. He mentored, He supported, He championed, He believed in others, when they didn't believe in themselves. He found strengths, when others would only find weaknesses. He saw light in the dark. He was Dad, he was my hero. He was Nigel - He was Mum's rock. He loved us and was proud of us, He taught us to live with passion and joy, He guided us, all of us. And he's still guiding us.... When I was feeling overwhelmed, he used to say... “How do you eat an elephant? - One bite at a time” That lesson has stayed with me. And it's been guiding us as we navigate through these early days of utter shock, heartbreak and grief. It's clear he meant so much, to so many. We've been overwhelmed and heartened to hear the many messages, memories and stories from people since his passing. The overriding theme is that he was a kind and gentle man. A true gentleman.

"He is gone" by David Harkins You can shed tears that he is gone, or you can smile because he has lived. You can close your eyes and pray that he'll come back, or you can open your eyes and see all he's left. Your heart can be empty because you can't see him, or you can be full of the love you shared. You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday, or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday. You can remember only that he is gone, or you can cherish his memory and let it live on. You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back. Or you can do what he'd want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

Thank you so much to everyone who has donated in Nigel's memory to Heart Research UK. We really cannot thank you enough.