Wayne Horlick Memorial Fund

Anyone who knew Wayne will tell you what a hard-working, fun loving, family man he was. He certainly did not deserve the cards he was dealt at the age of just 37.  Wayne was a fighter and put up with a gruelling course of treatment to try and beat an aggressive cancer which sadly took his life on 26 March 2019.

Wayne has been with his partner Sarah for 13 years, and together they have two gorgeous sons, Joshua 8 and Lucas 5.  Wayne has been a self-employed Painter and Decorator since he left school and has grafted hard to provide for his family. 10 years ago, Sarah found an angry mole on Wayne's back, it was confirmed as a melanoma, then swiftly removed and no one thought much more of it until March 2017 when he found a lump in his armpit.  The melanoma had come back, and in early 2018 he got the news it was in his liver. It was now in his lymph nodes and travelling fast around his organs.  The year was filled with hospital appointments and stays, a variety of treatments, and severe illness from side effects. Finally the news came in September that the immunotherapy he'd been having was working on the cancer in his lungs and liver. The side effects gave him crippling arthritis but he battled on throughout, still going to work to pay for the family to take a trip of a lifetime to Lapland in December.  We thought he might not make the trip as he was in so much pain but the doctors gave him some steroids which really helped.  Wayne got down on one knee while they were in Lapland and popped the question. Of course Sarah said yes!  Christmas was a happy time as they knew the treatment was working and the steroids were keeping the pain at bay.  He started another type of treatment in Jan to treat the cancer in his bones and at the same time he had to come off the steroids.  Within a week he was slurring his speech and losing the feeling in one side (all this time continuing to work!)  He had a brain scan which showed multiple legions around his brain.  The doctors delivered the heart-breaking news that there was nothing they could do for him now and that time will be short as the cancer was aggressive. 

Wayne and Sarah were still determined to tie the knot and fast made plans to do so. They did the official signing of the documentation at the registry office on 25th Feb however the blessing was what they were really looking forward to.  The date and venue were booked, dress purchased, 109 day guests confirmed, food, entertainment, decorations and extras with some last minute help from a wonderful charity, The Wedding Wishing Well - the venue was going to look amazing.  Wayne fell ill a week before the day and had to be admitted to hospital.  Doctors did their best to get him well for his big day and he was all set to leave hospital on the day to attend the ceremony.  The guests were due to arrive at 3pm, Sarah was preparing for the big day but they couldn't wake Wayne up.  After an hour doctors confirmed the news that he would not be able to attend the blessing ceremony as planned.  Sarah was overwhelmed with feelings and had to quickly make a decision about what to do. Sarah wanted the day had to go ahead as planned as that is what Wayne would have wanted.  Sarah went to sit by his side in his hospital bed, hoping he would at least open his eyes and see her dress. Meanwhile, the guests arrived, and the day went ahead as they wished. Joshua and Lucas cut the cake, had the first dance in their parent’s honour and did Wayne proud. Wayne never did wake up and passed away quietly the following day surrounded by loved ones.

Wayne lived for the moment and grafted hard to provide happy memories for his family especially in the last year of his life.  We want to give Wayne a send-off he deserves and if there is any money left it will go to Wayne's family to help them get through the next few months without having to worry about money.

Thank you for your support.