The family wanted to express firstly how touched and grateful they are to everyone for all the love, kindness and support they have received. The family have also been aware of the fact that many of you have had to deal with the shock of hearing of Alan’s illness at such a late stage and indeed, now of his departure. Alan was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in mid November 2012. It was only after several tests and persistent stomach pain, Alan had a CT scan which led to his diagnosis. Alan and our family were told that he had 3-5 months to live. It was obviously devastating news for Alan and the family, a living nightmare that has never gone away to this day! Upon hearing the news, Alan immediately chose to keep it a secret from everybody and asked his family to do the same. It was a decision he took to protect ultimately the family, and himself to a far lesser extent. Alan did want to carry on as normally as possible, for as long as possible. He also did want to beat the cancer and prove the diagnosis wrong. Every effort was made by Alan and his family to find alternative therapies to cure him, and Alan was desperate to try everything possible. Unfortunately it was against all odds and he went into the hospice two weeks before he died. Alan so didn’t want to go, and the more friends of his the family meet, we can certainly understand why. His life here may have been taken from him, and us all, but the memory of him will certainly live on.