Beverley’s Christmas Eve Fundraiser
We wanted to reshare Beverley’s post on Just Giving including the link to her fundraiser below. Beverley will be completing a 40 length swim, 10km on Cross Trainer, a 10km Bike ride, a 10km Walk on 24 December 2025. Here is her Story..
You can donate to her fundraiser here
My lovely nephew would be 40 years old on 27th December 25. He left us in just his Mid twenties. Those close to me know how much Shaun influenced my life whilst he was here and since he has passed. The LOVE has not diminished and is as strong as ever. I walked the Camino a year after he passed and I wanted to personally celebrate his 40 years of Love (with us and without him). I do not do this for money but for awareness and for LOVE. I wanted to do something that I could push myself a little on my own over the Christmas time that will enable me to think of him and remember happy times. Christmas was his favourite time. I love to see his photo hence opening this page but I ask, if you wish to donate for just a £1 or loose change like you would place in a charity bucket .. For it is only for getting another photo of him out and awareness that I post this….please check your moles and skin. Since Shaun passed 3 other people close to me and family have had treatment for Melanoma , you always think it wont happen to you. It is just a blemish or a mole!!! always get checked.
Please take a Few minutes to read below, take time to reflect on Shaun and how his future was taken from him. As Mothers, Fathers, Aunties,Uncles, Grand- Parents and friends to youngsters please be aware of how easy it is to lose someone you love.
This was my original post 15 years ago when I fundraised for My Camino walk… Shaun’s STORY
On 27th December 1985 my life changed, Love entered my heart (the kind of love that you only have for a child- that which is unconditional and endless.) I became “Auntie Bev”. I was just 21 years old and my wonderful sister Julie gave birth to a beautiful baby boy – SHAUN.He was always a happy, well-behaved, friendly and fun- loving, boy who loved people. He touched my life and all those who met him. Julie had such closeness with her son that was shared by just being the two of them and they forged a strong bond that never went away. Therefore, Loz and I were so lucky to be so included in Shaun’s life growing up (every Birthday, Christmas and holidays) everyday I think myself so lucky and I thank Julie and Shaun for such endless happy memories that are embedded in my heart, Loz and I would take Shaun on long bike rides, camping weekends, to the seaside, bowling, cinema, airport plane watching, day trips on aeroplanes etc. Shaun adored planes and it was his dream from two years old to be a pilot. He loved football and Manchester United too. He also adored people; he always gave them time and listened. He loved to talk, it was as natural as breathing for Shaun and he would call lots and chat especially later on in life when he was driving to and from work. To all of those he cared about he would always say “How are you?” and finish the conversation with “I love you!” He had the gift of the gab; he built relationships which crossed all borders. He spread happiness and joy wherever he went, never asking for much himself.
In 2006, Shaun was first diagnosed with Melanoma Skin cancer. Shaun had a mole that had grown and was misshapen; twice he had been to the Doctors to be told it was just a wart mole!! And they would not remove it as it was cosmetic.
In 2006 it was removed and tested and our worst fears were realised- they said the word skin cancer!!.
Shaun was amazing he accepted it, went through some treatment and for 4 years led a very happy and healthy life. But in October 2010 Shaun became unwell it was so sudden, he had been regularly monitored during those four years but the cancer had returned and vigorously. He went on holiday to Egypt with his lovely girlfriend and came back to find the cancer had spread. Shaun never ever asked how long or if it would kill him. He just fought and fought. In those few months (just 4 months!!) that it took his life, he never ever moaned, he fought the disfigurement, pain and treatments although he never took anything more than paracetamol. Shaun was determined to live, he did not want to leave those he loved and one of the Doctors that cared for him said “ If Shaun were a soldier in Afghanistan he would have a chest of medals.” He was so so brave and courageous. It is his fight and bravery that I will never forget. I managed to have time off from work and I helped care for him with family and his girlfriend. During this time Shaun fought so hard, he never ever gave up and never moaned. He hid his fear and pain from all of us. From his bed or settee he would look around the room and say “Are you alright Auntie Bev?” he couldn’t bear for anyone to be unhappy or look sad throughout his life even as a young boy if anyone had a problem he would try to solve it and would always listen to everyone’s problems. He saw the best in everyone.
When you lose a child family member your life changes and you never see things the same. Never a minute passes without thinking of him and missing him so much.
It was Shaun’s bravery, strength and his battle that will always amaze me and after his death I felt I needed a focus on life.
… Once you have read this please take a moment to think of Shaun, look at his photos and see what a lovely young man he was- he had a good job, a loving family, lovely girlfriend, car, he worked hard, he was happy and had everything going for him BUT his future was taken from him. Please help in the research so it does not happen to someone you know and love.
Over 11,000 people are diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in the UK each year and melanoma is today the second most common cancer in young people. 5-10 people now die everyday of this cancer, Skin cancer is claiming more lives in the UK than in Australia, Tragically, skin cancer often strikes at a younger age than other cancers, and cases of malignant melanoma have quadrupled over the last 30 years. Tragically, rates of melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, are disproportionately high in younger people, with almost one third of cases occurring in people under 40 years old. It is estimated that the rate in young people (15-34) will grow by a further 70% in the next 15 years. Although all research at present states that sun plays a big part in melanoma other factors are now being considered- aerosols and detergents, genetics and diet. Shaun never had sun beds or long periods in the sun – he was not a sun worshipper just a normal happy young man…Please check yourselves, your children for skin abnormalities and please support me and sponsor me to prevent this happening to those you love.
https://www.melanoma.com/ https://www.skcin.org/Documents/SCUK-DOWNLOAD-VERSION-(1) https://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/moles
