Written by Stephen Cropp
|
01 May 2008
On 22nd April 2008 Richard died at age 40 years from a medical condition which he had bravely borne for most of his life. This was evident to all as a growth on his forehead. Although he was not prominent in Brighton Scout Local Association, he was by example a scout who lived up to the highest standards of our Promise and Laws. He was a cub scout at 23rd Brighton (St Margaret’s, Rottingdean) but schooling away from Brighton meant that he did not carry through to become a scout.
Richard accepted the challenge of adult leadership when he became a ‘helper’ with the Beaver Scout section of the ‘23rd’ in September 1995 and moved on to become Assistant Beaver Scout Leader in May 2001. He was quite happy with the six to eight year olds, as they were with him. I know that he took great care in explaining to new ‘Beavers’, in simple terms, how and who had started the Scout Movement and also taught them the Beaver Scout Promise, motto, handshake and salute. This was his “forte”.
In the summer of 2004 Richard’s medical condition worsened so much that he had to resign from the ‘Beavers’. Hospital treatment failed to find a cure but thankfully he was wonderfully cared for at a care home in Littlehampton.
Aside from scouts, Richard worked in the DHSS; he carried ‘The Cross’ regularly at the Sunday services at St Margaret’s Church; supported ‘The Saints’ (Southampton Football Club); and enjoyed a pint in our local pubs. I never heard him complain of his affliction and I am not alone in my admiration at the manner in which he so cheerfully lived as normal a life as possible.
Rest in peace, brother scout.
