From as early as I can remember, Phillip was my favourite person :) some of my first memories are of jumping on Phillip's back, wrestling him to the ground, and physically trying to get the better of my uncle - to no avail; I was three. Phillip was innocently unaware of the impact he had on me, his influence was one of the most positive aspects of my whole life - for example, I 'supported Liverpool' in the hope of impressing him, as well as becoming an avid fan and supporter of the Welsh rugby team (which is still a large part of my life and something i continue to thoroughly enjoy! Football was never for me...), I would even pretend to take an interest in those seemingly everlasting horse races him and Gransh loved so much ;) The reason I feigned a love for all these sport-related things was so that I would have more excuses to spend lots of time with my auntie and uncle, both of whom i loved so much! To my young mind things always seemed brighter when Phillip was around :) i felt safe with him and he was one of the funniest people i knew! Once, during one of our many short breaks down to West Wales, Phillip had me and Sian in stitches in the silver Ford Mondeo (a car i cannot pass without thinking of the couple, and a car i used to consider 'my favourite'. I wonder why?). We were on a roundabout and unsure which road to take, so until Sian found out the correct route we had to circle said roundabout. We must have gone around it at least 4 times when Phillip said sarcastically "take a look at the roundabout guys, it's all you're going to see today." Being rather young, and slightly dizzy, i found this hilarious! I would often encourage Phillip to tease Sian, it made me laugh so much! (sorry Sian!) He was always cracking little jokes like this one, and mixed with his faultless personality his words had a hilarity matched by nobody! :) Aside from being a funny guy he also had a courageous, grown-up side that shone through in any crisis. Another time, down West Wales, princess Brandy got swept out to see in pursuit of a rugby ball kicked by Phillip. Me, Sian and Phil stood motionless on the beach as she drifted off unawares. Immediately Phillip took to the water. Swimming against the tide he reached the dog and returned her safely to the beach. I'll never forget the pride I had for my uncle then. I wanted to be like him. Brave, noble and unfalteringly kind... These are just a few of my memories of a wonderful uncle. He never failed to make people smile. Even during the last moments of time I spent with Phillip he displayed a touching thoughtfulness which caught me unexpectedly: what he said was very subtle, but meant the world to me; he simply remarked "ahh yeah, i watched a programme recently where they were in Norwich. They've got a lovely cathedral there haven't they? it's massive! It looks nice. I thought of you when we were watching it." - I think he said these words without thinking much about them, but they caught in my throat and i wanted to cry. Norwich cathedral happens to be a place that means very much to me, I have a view of it from university accommodation, i visit the place on a weekly basis, and the building (especially the inside) is one of the most overwhelmingly beautiful i've ever seen. Phillip had no idea that I'd been going to that building to sit and reflect about his illness, but more importantly, to think about his life. His mention of this significant place was uncanny and I was honoured that he had been thinking of me while I was away. This is all I will say of such a wonderful man for now. I think it is important that we keep him alive in our thoughts and unashamedly tell tales of him to those who knew him, namely Ben. I will remember and love you forever. I can't look at Norwich Cathedral without thinking of you, but I'm glad that it reminds me of you. You are the definition of positivity, and that is what will live on; that is what you have left behind. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx love you Sian and Ben, thinking of you constantly. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx