Over the past weeks all i seem to read is stories of Isis, terror, death and killings undertaken by selfish faceless bullies!

Today i am attending the funeral of a mate that lived in our village. Not a great friend but someone i shared many Sunday evenings with over the last 10 or so years playing pool, drinking beer and generally having a good time as apposing pool teams. His team won the title every year ours didn’t! So, plenty of camaraderie.

Though he died at a tragically young age, it is important to focus on celebrating his life and all that he achieved.

He accomplished, in the brief period between his cancer diagnosis and death, more than many achieve in a lifetime – raising more than £26,000 and uniting a community in support of a good cause.

When faced with a terrible personal challenge, Cameron never lost the ability to look outward at others facing crisis and we can all learn from that generous spirit and selfless attitude to life.

It is hard to comprehend a world in which a man of only 24 can die less than a year after being diagnosed with a terminal disease.

But, though Cameron's own journey has ended, the journey of Cameron’s Cause, set up in his honour to help others, will continue on as a lasting legacy to my inspirational young friend. RIP...

Just wanted to share my friends story with the forum, maybe open some members eyes to the evil that is skin cancer. Thanks to all for taking the time to read this.

its very sad when friends die at a early age , or at any age tbh...my wifes best friend did and left two small children and a loving husband..

puts everything into perspective.. ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
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I know exactly what you mean Craig. Whilst we all accept that death is the last thing that we all come to it is really difficult to see it come to people earlier than it should.

It is also amazing to see how people react when given a terminal diagnosis. As you say, what he achieved in those final months is more than some people do in a lifetime. I've often said to the Mrs when she's fretting about work, if any of us knew this was our last day in this world, what would we do? I'll tell you unequivocally that going to work would not even be on my list.

And lest anyone thinks acquaintances are somehow less felt than close family I can tell you that anyone known to you personally has a deep effect when they die. 2 weeks back we lost our nextdoor neigbour to pneumonia. OK, he was 88 and had spent 30 years down the pit so pneumonia was on the cards and also it's more easy to accept than the loss of a young life, by which I mean that young innocent child Kayleigh Haywood. A few miles from us and we know the family through our Son's 5-a-side footie where her family organise the club. To say the whole community are devastated is like saying the Pope is slightly religious.

Thoughts with you Craig. As you say, celebrate the life and achievements. And hold on to the memories. Oh and of course, it would be unacceptable to not raise a glass to all of those things.

Food for thought for all of us. Great post Craig .

Last edited by 362bkr on 20th Nov 2015 11:52am. Edited 1 time in total

Sad that your life is over after just 24 years

As others have said a great post  Paul
L405 now sold

Great post Craig

Stories like this really make you humble.
My son is 24 in 2 weeks time, so this really made me realise how lucky I am to have a healthy family.

RIP Cameron and my heart felt sympathies to his family. Even though I don't know them, never met them, I can imagine their grief. Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

24 is no age at all. A sad story and really makes other less important issues pale into insignificance. Thanks for sharing Craig. SDV8 AB MY 2019
SDV8 VSE MY 2015 - Gone
5.0 S/C AB MY 2010 - Gone
4.2 S/C VSE MY 2006 - Gone

Nice words Craig.

Sorry to hear that Craig made me think about three of my pals who were killed on motorbikes back in the 60s all in their late teens. I do think about them from time to time and like us all I have had my ups and downs in life, and when things have been tough l think to myself get over it at least you are still here. I think about the things I have done since those days when they lost their life and they have not had the chance to do any of them. Makes you realize how lucky we are and as Stan said puts it all into perspective.

Pete The worst thing about being retired is you miss out on all the bank holidays

A very thoughtful piece - stories like this one make you feel very lucky and cause you to focus on what's really important

Yep, just goes to show how mortal we are, what a brave lad Cameron was. Pete

__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Parchment over Navy Interior. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand, Jet Interior. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green, Ivory over Aspen Interior (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

Good post Craig, my deepest sympathy.

My 24 year old son was diagnosed with Leukaemia at 3, relapsed at 7 and suffered a brain tumour at 15, for which they thought there was nothing they could do. He has so far beat cancer 3 times and is an inspiration to us all every day.

As you say, it puts everything else into perspective.

Last edited by xjsracer44 on 20th Nov 2015 10:03pm. Edited 1 time in total

Life is precious - thank you for posting - it does us all good to stop & reflect on what is really important

Sorry for your loss Craig.