Home   Stamford   News   Article

Subscribe Now

Tributes paid to former RAF technician Simon Stevens, from Stamford, who has raised more than £14,000 for Daybreaks Trust greyhound charity in Solihull




The legacy of a ‘kind, caring and thoughtful’ Stamford man who was hit by an aggressive cancer is to live on through a drive to help a cause close to his heart.

Simon Stevens lost an 11-month battle with peritoneal mesothelioma, aged 38, on Saturday, November 13, with his new wife Lynne and mum Julie at his side.

Simon and Lynne met through friends in Stamford 14 years ago, and married in the Marie Curie Hospice, in Solihull, just 18 days before he died.

Simon with one of his two beloved nephews
Simon with one of his two beloved nephews

A deterioration in Simon’s condition meant the service had to be brought forward at just a few hours’ notice.

Lynne said: “A friend went and got the paperwork and the rings, and the bridal shop arranged the alterations to the dress that day and brought it over.

“We had all sorts of things donated through Marie Curie to make it really special.

Simon joined the RAF aged 19 and served for 12 years as a technician
Simon joined the RAF aged 19 and served for 12 years as a technician

“Simon got married in his pyjamas on his hospital bed. It was just lovely.

“People have said you can plan something like this for 18 months and it would not go as well.

“It was just amazing what people can do when they pull together.”

Simon and Lynne have cared for four greyhounds and volunteered at a greyhound re-homing charity
Simon and Lynne have cared for four greyhounds and volunteered at a greyhound re-homing charity

An active and energetic man, Simon enjoyed a range of outdoor pursuits from mountain biking, skiing and snowboarding to camping and, his main passion, motorbikes.

But he became ill in January and was diagnosed with cancer two months later.

“From being a strong, fit and healthy man who hardly ever took time off ill, overnight he suddenly became very poorly and from then he never had a chance to recover,” Lynne added.

Simon with Bert
Simon with Bert

“He never spoke about how poorly he was. He just faced up to it, like he did with everything else. He was so strong and brave.”

Despite chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatment, his condition became terminal and he was moved to the Marie Curie Hospice in October.

“Simon was brave and strong and refused to let go, even in his final days,” said his brother Martin.

Simon represented RAF Marham at ice hockey after Lynne persuaded him to take up skating
Simon represented RAF Marham at ice hockey after Lynne persuaded him to take up skating

“He amazed doctors with his determination to keep fighting for his life, despite his body giving up on him.

“This strength and determination is a true reflection on the type of man Simon was, and is why he is adored by so many.”

Simon was born and raised in Stamford, attending St Gilbert's Primary School and then Robert Manning School, in Bourne.

He joined the Royal Air Force at 19, serving for 12 years as an aircraft technician at RAF Marham, in Norfolk, whom he represented at ice hockey, and RAF Brize Norton, in Oxfordshire.

He also served in the Falkland islands, Oman, and Basrah, in Iraq.

After leaving the forces in 2014, he began a job with Jaguar Land Rover, in Birmingham, and Lynne joined him there in 2016.

The owners of a greyhound, Bert, they adopted three more - Skip, Sam and Nadie - after being introduced to the Daybreaks Trust, in Solihull, a charity which rehomes retired greyhounds.

They both volunteered for the Trust, and as well as general duties, Simon helped with building maintenance and fundraising.

One of his last wishes was to make more money for the trust, and a fundraising page was set up in his name.

It hit the £10,000 mark just days before he died, and this week stood at more than £14,200.

“Simon was just really kind, caring and thoughtful, but with a bit of a silly side,” said Lynne.

“He was held in high regard. I don’t think there was anyone he didn’t get on with.

“He was so easy going and we never had an argument in the whole time I knew him. He was just a wonderful person.”

Simon also leaves parents Julie and Allan, sister Sophie, brother Martin, and stepson Robert.

His funeral is at 2.30pm on Thursday, December 9 at the Robin Hood Crematorium in Solihull. Anyone wishing to attend is asked to contact Simon’s family.

To donate to Simon’s fundraiser, click here.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More