Many will have seen the wheelchair photo but it is special to me for a few reasons. That year I had fallen off my bike and got an infection causing severe pain and unable to walk (funny how things never change 🙂). Mum borrowed a wheelchair off friends and Phil literally carried me up and down three flight of stairs multiple times in the day, not complaining and not making me feel a nuisance. He even cracked a joke “he ain’t heavy, he’s my brother”. That song, since then, has always brought Phil to my mind. He carried me many more times in my life and when I was seriously ill a few years ago made sure to come to the hospital every single day, both to see me but also to ease the stress on Wendy. Because that’s how Phil was, there when you needed him. And now he isn’t, and I need him. Love you Phil.
Paul Spittle
12/03/2025
