Tom Harrington (5 Jul 1955 - 23 Mar 2016)

In loving memory of Tom Harrington who sadly passed away on 23rd March 2016

As Tom’s final gift we wish to donate funds to the Great Western Hospital, Dove Charitable Fund so that a team so dedicated and caring can continue to be trained in new and improved treatments to conduct stem cell transplants and provide the best care to their future patients.

Collection boxes will be available at the Funeral Service. Alternatively donations can be made by cheque payable to 'Dove Charitable Fund' & sent to:

Hillier Funeral Service
170 Victoria Road
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN1 3DF

A year ago in April 2015 Tom was diagnosed with a combination cancer of Myeloma and Lymphoma and under the care of the Dove Ward & Haematology Doctors at Great Western Hospital he underwent a series of chemotherapy treatment in hope to plateau the cancer and provide Tom with more years ahead.

Tom took all the treatment in his stride and demonstrated more courage and strength than believed possible for a person with such a diagnosis. Over the year Tom was in and out of GWH Dove Ward & Osprey Day Therapy Unit, he amazed consultants and professionals with very little reaction to the chemotherapy and whilst he begrudgingly admitted himself each time his genuine spirit for life and laughs and love of people stayed with him. A friend to everyone, his presence in the Dove Ward was enjoyed by the staff with a sarcastic sense of humor they soon got used to, daily laughs and jokes, educational chats, running sweep stakes for bottles of wine on when chemotherapy would end (which he won) & on New Year 2016 trying to convince doctors to allow the ward a tipple of champagne supplied by him. Even on the few occasions when Tom was tired and irritable nothing was too much trouble for the Dove Ward staff, I think it is fair to say they had grown a fondness for him.

Dad went into his stem cell transplant recovery with chance & hope; he fought & stayed strong in mind to his final day, we could not be more proud to call him our father, husband, son, brother and friend.

For all donations made big and small as a family we thank you for supporting Dad’s final gift & one he truly would have believed in.

To all the team involved in Dove Ward, GWH we simply thank you.

All our love
Brenda, Fiona & Daniel xxxx