Richard was always a warm and generous person. I do not believe that there was a malicious bone in his body. He might have been a bit awkward sometimes, but he was never short of extending a hand of friendship to anyone new – and a ready smile and 'Hello' for those close to him – with an arm around the shoulder and a declaration 'My Friend!'....

His humour and impressions of Tommy Cooper (or was it Max Bygraves?) along with his 'Scoobe-do-be-do!' from his favourite cartoon series will long remain – as will his fearless speeches and toast at Christmas time to celebrate 'The Queen'!

It’s mid-August 1957 and a yellow helicopter of the Felixstowe Rescue clattered its way from Ipswich to Hendon in North London. It was carrying a 2-day-old baby boy bound for Great Ormond Street’s Hospital for Sick Children.

Not only had Richard been born with an extra chromosome, but also a life-threatening abnormality – with no connection to his stomach and a hole between his windpipe and throat – he could breath, but couldn’t eat and was in severe danger.

Within hours of arrival, Mr Harold Homewood Nixon, the emeritus senior surgeon at Great Ormond Street, was successfully operating on Richard. He was soon in recovery, consuming Carnation Milk, Water and Sugar.

Described as a ’Teddy Bear’ with his bright blue eyes and goldy-coloured hair, Richard soon captured the hearts of the nurses and ward sisters. He still needed an incubator to help his breathing, but he was recovering steadily.

Our family move to Ballingdon saw Richard attending Countess Balinska’s Nursery on the Croft, learning to say ‘Bonjour’ and ‘Au Revoir’, and transferring to the new Hillside Junior Training Centre with the lovely Louisa Wood and Mrs Bailey. Richard loved the Centre and featured regularly in the school nativity plays - Kings, Shepherds, Chestnut Sellers – he played them all!

His father Robert’s death in 1962 left Joyce managing on her own in Sudbury and Belchamp Otten. So Richard’s move to further education included Limborne House in Clacton, the Gardening Unit at Braintree, the Acorn Community at Mistley and eventually Lufton Manor in Yeovil for Specialist Farm Training.

It was Richard’s farming activities that he enjoyed the most. The halcyon summer days in Belchamp Otten would see Richard routinely up at Coles Farm, feeding John’s cows and Eric’s guinea fowl ‘chickens’ – and, racing back and forth on his tricycle – assisting ‘Trev the Rev’ Trevor Howard and Roy Filby as sidesman, collection official, candle-snuffer and hymn-book arranger – an active member of the village Church.


Routine has always been vital to Richard in coping with his disabilities. He would create his own official capacity or job role, always taken very seriously and reinforced by his strong and vigorous work ethic.

Richard couldn’t go without his regular trip to see Ipswich play at home (even though he was a secret Newcastle supporter!) – and always would take part in the Gateway Club’s Mini-Olympics, Raft-races on the River, Viking-themed banquets at the Town Hall – or later as a regular at the Salvation Army Centre where he made many friends.

But Joyce realised that Richard could not always live at Abbey Road. So in 1997 she bought his single-bed flat in New Street to allow him more independence in the community. 

Always recognised around town on his tricycle, it was bit of a royal progress when I took him out. ‘Hello Richard’,‘Hi Richard’ from all quarters – and when his tricycle was stolen from outside his flat, my enquiries of the policeman on Market Hill brought an ‘Oh yes, Richard’s Tricycle is up on the Colchester Road. I saw it when I was coming to work this morning.’

However, by his good nature his situation was always vulnerable. Generous to a fault, he was always prepared to buy a round of drinks or a pizza with a friend, so I was alarmed to receive a call from Nationwide to say that his current account was £300 overdrawn! In their defence they did say it was his money! But things had to change.

With his long-term friend, Kathy Steele’s help, his move to William Wood House brought peace, security and comfort to his life for which I am always grateful.

Richard brought smiles to people’s lives. Thank you for your fond memories of him – his collection of Dr Who memorabilia and posters have also been a bit of a theme, although he always had an eye out for The Doctor’s Female Assistants! 

Richard had to cope with many issues in his life that he bore with great fortitude. As a family, we couldn’t have done it without you, his carers.

From his first trip to Great Ormond Street Hospital to the support and care that he has received from all the services and agencies throughout his life has been wonderful and amazing.

Kathy, Tamsin, Tracey, Kevin, Dave, Liz, Teresa, Zoe, Marilyn, Toni, Debby, Claudia, Tracey, Steven, Amy, Anesta, Jo, Lisa, Becky... and the many others through out his life who knew Richard and cared...

You are a testament to the huge resource of compassion and concern we have in this country for those less fortunate. You define our nation.

Thank you all for being here today to celebrate his life.