[Albion] Lewis Hammans

[albiongirl]

Sending my condolences to you and your family. I can't imagine what you are going through but your Albion family is here to support at this sad time. Portlock Seagull what an amazing tribute moved me to tears. RIP Lewes [emoji170]

Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk

 

[maltaseagull]

My thoughts are with you and can only join with the many posts on here trying to give comfort at this sad time.

He was a son to be proud of and you have some wonderful memories to help you through the dark times.

Conolences to you and your family.

 

[Wellesley]

Devastating. It sounds as if he was lucky in the sense that he had you as a father. Sorry for your loss and RIP Lewis.

 

[Wozza]

I'm welling up, like most - if not all - reading this thread.

What a sad loss, but an inspiring story about some amazing people. I'm very proud to be associated with you through our club.

Love and best wishes to you all.

 

[Stumpy Tim]

Thoughts with you and your family. Unspeakably sad

 

[Marshy]

Sending you and your family my best wishes. RIP Lewis and Mum.

I am sure you have friends and family rallying around to help, please use them.

 

[madinthehead]

Just writing this for my own selfish/cathartic reasons, but I've been here long enough to know that sometimes it helps ease some pain.

My lad died this morning at 5am. He had Muscular Dystrophy so we knew this day would come for the last 17 years, but it was still very unexpected. He was a massive Brighton fan, which was my fault. We were season ticket holders at Withdean and I used to park his wheelchair under the steps of south stand and carry him up the stairs to his seat. We would discuss the games on the way home, listening to Radio Sussex.

In the move to the Amex, I spunked my redundancy on a 1901 seat, primarily so he could stay warm before, at HT, and after games, and we have had seats there since the Amex opened. We travelled home and away together, his first away game being Northampton, and the number of away grounds he went to increased well into the forties.

He was a mainstay of the Brighton Hove Albion Powerchair football team, playing for them for 8-9 years, scoring more than 170 goals in that time. He was top goal scorer in the country in 2016/17 season, qualifying for Champions League football, where BHAPFC finished 5th in Europe.

He never got to represent his country in powerchair football, which was his dream, but he was close. He did participate in a Paralympic sport called Boccia, and did qualify for England playing tournaments in Moscow and Prague. He missed out on Rio Paralympics by 1 place, finishing several years as England number 2, and GB number 4.

He suffered 6 cardiac arrests since Friday morning, and the staff at RSCH were brilliant. Air ambulance in Lindfield in early hours of Friday, and scenes from ER on Friday / Sat. Stabilised after that and yesterday, we thought we saw light at end of long tunnel, but 5&6 happened in quick succession this morning. They got him going after 5, but could not after 6.

That was my boy, and I miss him so much. The pain is unbearable, and so I thought I'd type some stuff to help me remember all the stuff we did together. Buckleys Sore Hamstring never posted much, but will not post again, and I have no idea where to turn. We are all in bits.

So sorry to read this.. Sorry for your loss!

 

[Al Bion]

Just wanted to add my sincere condolences to you and your family in the loss of Lewis. He sounds a very special son who made the best of his life and achieved so much more than many others in his life, I hope that, in time, the memories of all you did together will be some comfort to you. RIP Lewis.

 

[Hampden Park]

RIP Lewis

 

[mickybha]

So sad R.I.P Lewis

 

[eastlondonseagull]

He was only saying last night that he wanted to play this weekend. I said he was too poorly, so he said he would sit on the bench.
Mum died 4 weeks ago, and just don't know where to turn at the moment. Just crying. Want to wake up and find it is bad dream

Oh, Chris, I'm so sorry. Sending you much love and hugs xx

 

[eastlondonseagull]

Tonight I’d like to pay tribute on this thread to my beautiful, funny and extraordinary talented nephew Lewis. He was only 20 years old and yet in spite of his disability he achieved incredible feats and brought so much joy to his family and friends during his short life. Our pride in his achievements like our love for him as a family will never diminish. His auntie and I will miss him enormously. We are heartbroken too, the pain my dear brother, sister in law and 3 nieces are enduring tonight is indescribable. Only 7 days ago we buried our mum, Lewis’s gran, who loved him more than words can describe and who raised tens of thousands of pounds to help fight Duchennes Muscular Dystrophy. It was her dying wish to be there to support her eldest son and beloved daughter in law through the inevitable day this wretched disease would finally break all our hearts. Alas after battling her own terminal illness for nearly 3 years she finally succumbed to it last month. And so my wife, our dear old dad and I will instead do our best with others to take care of them now. We are a small but very close knit family who care about each other deeply and are similarly blessed with a caring circle of friends, many of whom are fellow Albion fans and we have shared decades of treasured memories with up and down the land, in the Van of Brothers.

But I’d like to also pay tribute tonight to my brother, Lewis’s dad, Chris. I speak for hundreds I know when I say no father has ever lived that did or tried to do more for his son. He wasn’t just his dad. But his carer. His inspiration. And best friend too. They’ve been inseparable as he’s taken Lewis around the world to see and do so many things in his short life that many of us may not despite a lifetime three or four times as long. And yet he also found time to manage the Albions Powerchair team, driving through terrible conditions with other dedicated parents to compete in countries as far away as Denmark and Russia as well as the regular domestic fixtures centred in Nottingham that meant early Saturday departures and late Sunday night journeys home to Sussex. I like the rest of our family have always been in awe of his sheer stamina and devotion to his family and yet he still found time to run his local scout group and other community groups on weekday evenings.

I hope one day that we will be able to watch the Albion together as a family in Lewis’s memory. For now though my dear brother, know that you and Sue did everything you could for your darling son and that we, your family, will forever hold him in our hearts too.

Lovely words, Steve. Chris, you are amazing xx

 

[Fourteenth Eye]

Words are hard to find at this sad time but, stay strong. Lewis was an inspiration & will be held as a beacon of whats possible whatever challenges life throws at you.

He was a hero

RIP Lewis

 

[Psychobilly freakout]

Sincere condolences for your loss to you and your family, you described your son with immense pride, he sounded like an amazing person and one you can be very proud of.

R.I.P Lewis.

Love x

 

[Guinness Boy]

Very sad news. My deepest condolences. Stay strong and be proud.

 

[eastlondonseagull]

He was.

Mike, your signature is perfect for this sad time

 

[kemptown kid]

Sad, sad news. Lovely tribute to your boy.

 

[Frutos]

https://www.brightonandhovealbion.c...tes-paid-to-talented-to-powerchair-footballer

 

[Triggaaar]

Anyone recommend any counsellors?

From Mrs T

http://www.selfhelpguides.ntw.nhs.uk/abmu/leaflets/selfhelp/Bereavement.pdf

Winstons Wish:
https://www.winstonswish.org/a-new-home-in-hove/


Cruse:
https://www.cruse.org.uk/get-help

Child Death Service: This support service is for families who have experienced the death of a child from age 0 up to their 18th birthday. A home visit is made initially to make an assessment of the needs of those in the family with signposting onto other relevant agencies if needed. On going visits generally take place in the home; the frequency and number depend upon individual circumstances and the demands on the service.
Coverage
West Sussex
How To Access
Families can self refer or go via their GP, or other health professional.
Contact Details
Annette Lawrance-Owen
Specialist Nurse Rapid Response / Bereavement Counsellor
Room 3B Stillman House
St Richard's Hospital
Chichester
PO19 6SE
Tel: 01243 788122 ext. 32827 (no answerphone)
Mob: 07984 915869
Email: Annette.Lawrance-Owen@nhs.net
Opening Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9am to 5pm If support is needed outside these hours the National Child Death Helpline is available on 0800 282 986 or freephone for mobiles 0808 8006019
Available 7pm to 10pm daily
How to find us
Although the service is based at St Richard’s Hospital, home visits are usually offered. Where that is not appropriate, arrangements can be made to see the support worker in the client’s GP surgery.
More information
NHS
Time2talk Counselling service for adults available through referral by GP
National Organisations

Child Death Helpline
Tel: 0808 8006019

Winston's Wish (for bereaved children)
Helpline Mon-Fri 9am-5pm 08088 020021
Website: Winston's Wish - there is a local West Sussex service

The Lullaby Trust
This service offers information and support. Contact the freephone helpline. A befriender will be allocated to each family if desired.
Website: The Lullaby Trust
Tel: 0808 8026868
Helpful information: The Child Death Review - A guide for Parents and Carers

The Compassionate Friends
Supporting bereaved parents and their families after the death of their son or daughter at any age from any cause.
Helpline 0845 1232304
Local contact available for support.
Website: The Compassionate Friends

SANDS
This service offers support, befriending and groups for those grieving following stillbirth and neonatal death
Website: SANDS

Cruse Bereavement Care
West Sussex Cruse 0300 311 9959
Website: Cruse Bereavement Care
Email: westsussexarea@cruse.org.uk

Care for the family pregnancy / baby loss
Options: Chichester, Bognor, Littlehampton 01243 784177
Acorn: Worthing 01903 823893
Oasis: Horsham 01403 272723
Haven: Crawley 01293 544211
Mid Sussex 01444 233333
These services offer individual support to those whose babies die at whatever gestation and after birth.

Chestnut Tree House
Children's Hospice serving Sussex can offer individual and family support and counselling to those families who have accessed their services.
Tel: 01903 871800

Snowdrop Trust
A local charity serving around the Chichester area has counsellors for families with children with life limiting conditions. The charity provides financial assistance where needed.
Tel: 01243 572433
Website: Snowdrop Trust

Jigsaw South East
Charity supporting bereaved children, offering a "buddy" service, group work and telephone support.
Tel: 01342 313895
Website: Jigsaw South East

Relate
This service can offer counselling according to need for couples, families and young people who are living with the impact of bereavement and the change that brings.
Further information available on 01293 657055
*There is a charge for each session*

You raise me up
Bereavement charity for those bereaved of a young person aged 16-25. Financial support considered to help towards funeral costs. Based in East Sussex but covers West Sussex.
Website: You Raise Me Up

 

[Bicknacreseagull]

Always been a viewer on NSC and not a poster but really wanted to respond to this very sad news as I don’t know when I’ll see you next. I’ve met Lewis several times when going with a friend to the same lounge as you and always had a lovely chat with the two of you. Lewis was always good company and very knowledgeable about the game. He was always first with the team news and it was great to hear about his travels round England and Europe.

My condolences to you Chris, I can’t even begin to think about what you are going through now and want you to know that you’re in my thoughts and prayers. Look after your physical health and find someone to speak to about it. Hope I will get the chance to see you again in the lounge and speak to you face to face about it. Your post was well-written and very emotional.

RIP Lewis.