Michael Proctor: 23 April 1988 - 03 September 2007

The group was established after the organiser, Jeremy, lost a dear friend, Michael, in September 2007. The loss of Michael spurred Jeremy on to raise money for Charities linked with Michael's life.

This page will tell you all about Michael and his family.

Michael was born on 23 April 1988. At 12 days old, he was welcomed to the Proctor family. He was a 12 day old baby diagnosed with Downs Syndrome. Not long after he joined his new family, doctors detected a futher heart problem, unknown to them at the time how severe it was. Not long after this, he developed Meningitis, not yet 4 months old. He had become deaf as a result of the Meningitis, which improved with time.

Not long before he was 7 months old, Michael went into hospital for tests to find out the severity of the heart problem. The family's fears were confirmed, Michael had the worst type of heart defect somebody with Downs Syndrome can have. The family decided not to risk surgery, took him home to give the best that time could allow.

Michael was in and out of hospital until he was nearly 5 years old. Thanks to the care of Michael's doctors, which included the staff on E1 in Southampton General, he went from strength to strength. Michael gave his family a few scares, but carried on. At 13, he went through a rough time, but yet again he outwitted the doctors.

Michael taught all the people he met that life was to be lived with a smile. One of his mother's favourite saying is "He was born on a Saint's day, named after a Saint, but he's no Angel."  He had days like any other child his age did.

Michael reached the milestone of 18. The family were beginning to think he was invincible. But the worst happened.

When Michael was 19 years and 4 months, he passed away suddenly at home. He hadn't been ill, he'd had a lovely Sunday, full of laughter and happiness, but he didn't wake the Monday morning.

The family has lost a wonderful part of their life who will never be forgotten and we hope we can help make sure that doesn't happen.