Wednesday 12th October 2011
Nina had a sad job today, to take us to Weston Super Mare to say goodbye to our very dear friend, Malcolm Bradley, or 'Malc' as we called him. Malc had been suffering for over a year with cancer, putting up with a major operation to remove his bladder, and the following hospital visits, chemotherapy etc. He did it with dignity and courage, most of all with love for and from his family and friends. I'm sure I wouldn't have been as brave in his shoes. Sadly after suffering a major set back when the cancer returned, Malc passed away at his home, surrounded by his family and friends. We visited Malc, Mary, Bel, Pete and Mel a couple of times in the later stages and were lucky enough to spend precious time with all of them. Even though Malc was in bed, feeling just about as grotty as you could feel, he wanted to see us and share some memories and laughs. We were very lucky to get that time.
When I was converting Scooby, Malc loved advising me on the electrics, and we talked about the conversion almost every time we met. He was very helpful to bounce ideas off. He had a van, a Renault Trafic, called Rusty :). His plan was to build a removable modular camper interior, so that it could be used for camping in, and then everything easily removed so that it could be used as a stock van for the various events and shows held by the Last Resort Dog Rescue, of which he was a co founder and Director. Sadly he never had the funds, and in the end, the time, to carry out his plans.
This makes me even more determined to push the boat out as far as I can with Nina, make her something I can be proud of, and as importantly, that Malc would be proud and impressed of.
After Malc passed, Mary, his wife, asked that I bring Nina to the funeral, she said Malc would have gotten a real kick out of it.
So there we go, Nina carried out her duties, there was enough Ambulance left in her to raise a few smiles as she pulled up at the crematorium.
I know Eric and Joan, who are Malc and Marys bestest of friends !, were able to look at Nina sat in the car park after the funeral and manage a small smile through their tears. Mary was right, Malc would have loved Nina there.
R.I.P Malc, I hope that you are surrounded by fur babies (dogs) and loving family and friends that left before you, and that you still inspire me as I convert Nina over the next few months or so.
We all miss you already.
Damon (Ninas Dad)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Weston Super Mare
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