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Max Neill who blogged about cancer fight has died

Posted on - 1st March, 2016 - 6:51pm | Author - | Posted in - Broadgate, Charities, People, Preston News
Max Neill in the St Catherine's Hospice grounds Pic: Sarah Walker

Max Neill in the St Catherine’s Hospice grounds Pic: Sarah Walker

A Preston man who blogged about his battle with cancer has died.

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Max Neill, from Broadgate, had been diagnosed with bowel cancer

The 49-year-old had written for Blog Preston and the Mail Online about his time in St Catherine’s Hospice and the need for ‘end of life’ care.

Friends and family have been paying tribute to Max.

His family posted on his Facebook page to say: “Just to let everyone know, Max sadly passed away early yesterday (Monday) with his close family and friends around him.

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“We would like to thank everyone who have sent us their best wishes.”

Chief executive of Disability Equality North West Melanie Close has also paid tribute to Max.

She said: “I’ve known Max for probably over 10 years – initially through partnership boards for people with learning difficulties (LD) and then later through Max’s different roles.

“When I first met him he was the lead for person centred planning and supported lots of individuals with LD to get the support they wanted in the way they wanted it – he gave them a voice when planning for their future and their support. He also supported lots of organisations to learn how to do person centred planning with the people they support.

“He was also a real advocate for ‘circles of support’ ensuring people with learning difficulties had a network of formal and informal support around them – he was so passionate about this, and would speak about it and practice it whenever he could.

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“Max was so person centred and such a great advocate for people with LD – he was an expert in engaging with community members to identify issues and then solutions and sources of support – he would never dwell on the issues, always the solution.

“When he was diagnosed with bowel cancer, he treated it as another challenge and another opportunity to help people learn – to learn about cancer, about dealing with pain, about planning for end of life – this passion for person centre approaches and support and the learning he passed on to us all, will be Max’s legacy – I know our organisation (staff, volunteers and service users) is much better and much more supportive for having known Max and for the things he taught us.”

Ben Ashworth, who also lives in Broadgate and is battling bowel cancer, had treatment alongside Max.

Ben Ashworth with his Berlin Marathon medal

Ben Ashworth with his Berlin Marathon medal

He said: “Such sad news about Max. I was devastated when I heard of his passing.

“He was a lovely man with a sensitive and thoughtful nature. I’d only know him a year or so, but we bonded through our shared experience of cancer and receiving treatment at Rosemere.

“He was a really great bloke, another wonderful person sadly taken too soon by cancer. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Max’s funeral is to take place on Friday 4 March at the Crematorium at Red Scar from 10.30am. His family say all who knew him are welcome.

They have asked anyone who would like to bring flowers to instead consider donating to St Catherine’s Hospice.

Blog Preston would like to say thank you to Max for his blog posts, and also urge you to consider donating to the hospice.

If you knew Max you can leave a tribute to him in the comments below

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