Mark's Memorial Fund

My name is Corey Oliver Hill and this is the story of my Daddy. 9 years ago in December, he rekindled an old friendship with my Mummy that quickly turned into a very loving relationship, they began trying for a baby almost instantly, but as the years passed they began to realise that the dream of their own child wasn't going to be easily done when test after test came back negative. Finally, the doctors gave them a chance! IVF! With their very supportive families around them they began on the long grueling path... but ended in the same way as every other time they had tried. Two rounds of IVF, FAILED! :( they finally gave up trying and resorted their life to be just the two of them, their doggy, Rex, and their lovely families and many, many Nieces and Nephews to keep them occupied, Daddy got a great job and it really helped to take his mind off things, finally moving on with his life and becoming happy and grateful for what he had. THEN, on the 30th August, Mummy's birthday, my Auntie made her do a pregnancy test before starting her night time celebrations... (lots of wine haha). And lo and behold TWO bright blue lines showed up straight away, Mummy and Auntie Hannah (Daddy's Sister) screamed and video called him straight away! He couldn't believe it! He actually thought they was joking with him! But was over the moon when he realised his long awaited fatherhood was about to begin!
9 months went by so fast, and on the 14th April 2020, out popped me! Their, first son, their everything, their Beautiful, Blue Eyed boy. Daddy already wanted to start trying for another while Mummy was still in her hospital bed haha!
They got stuck into routine, life as parents, finally after 8 and a half years they have what they wanted, a completed family. Daddy was besotted with me. Spoke about nothing else and couldn't wait to get home from work every night to spend those last few hours of the day with me before bed time.
Then, on 18th July 2020, the disaster happened, we got up like every Saturday morning, Daddy was doing a few odd jobs here and there, so I went out with my Mummy and her Mum, Daddy nipped to see his Mum and Dad. (All my Wonderful Grandparents). He kissed them goodbye and told them he loved them after a short visit and off he went home. Rain had put him off his usual jobs so my silly Daddy decided he was going to use his canoe, just once before he got shut of it. All of the family hated it! He was a stubborn so and so!
But my Daddy didn't have the right protection to go on the lake on a cold, windy day, he lost control of his canoe and this is where Daddy's life story ends. He was 40... I was 3 months old. Just a tiny baby, all i wanted was one last cuddle from him.  I didn't get it.
We are trying to raise funds to buy land and place a memorial bench and plaque at the lake, where we can all go and sit to remember him by, me, Mummy, Grandma, Granddad, his Brother's and Sister's and all of his Nieces and Nephews, we all have a piece of our hearts that has been ripped away, never to be healed again. We miss him so much, he was so loved.


Any money left over if we reach the target amount will be then donated onto a child drowning prevention charity, I think Daddy would like that. 
Thank you for reading my Daddy's story x
Corey Oliver Hill x

Mark died on 18th July 2020 during a tragic accident at Amberswood in Lake Platt Bridge, after he fell from his Canoe and couldn't save himself. Lots of people tried, including fishermen, passersby and emergency services, but it just wasn't to be. We have been in contact with Wigan Council and for the bench, plaque, insurance, maintainance and the land it mounts up to nearly £2000. Us as a family can't afford this but it has torn our family to pieces and we feel we need it as a bit of closure and to go to, to feel closer to Mark.
Thank you so much for reading and for everyone's support, it is immensely appreciated by us all x x