When I met James for the first time I was already aware of his illness and approached him  to say that I would obviously understand if he didn’t want to work any more.  He told me that work was important to him and that it took his mind off thinking about the illness.  

Over the coming months I came to understand what James meant.  He definitely brought his whole self to work, put everything into it and always wore a cheeky smile – particularly a few glasses into the 7.30pm evening calls!

I was honoured to have known James for a short period of time and shared the laughs and of course the moments of real sadness when our colleague Marty passed away. He approached everything in the same way – moments of real focus and seriousness laced with that cheeky smile and an infectious laugh.

The picture is from one of my favourite moments with James at the races over the summer.  Julie met James for the first and only time and commented what a lovely guy he was.  Who would have known that he was carrying the horrible illness with him every day.  He just soldiered on with a big smile.

My heart goes out to Sophie his wonderful sister and Harry his best mate and all that knew and loved James.  His time with us was way too short but I know all of our lives are richer for it.  I will just leave you with his last text to me…

‘Thanks’