A copy of this specially penned poem will be handed out to all at a music event to celebrate the life of a popular 21-year-old.
Andrew Hartlebury died in January after collapsing during a football game at the Park Leisure Centre, Barrow.
The fun-loving young man, from Coniston Avenue, Dalton, is to be remembered at a music night next Friday which aims to raise cash for the charity CRY, Cardiac Risk in the Young and the air ambulance service covering South Cumbria.
Andy died of a heart condition known as myocarditis, which was triggered by a virus he wasn’t even aware he had.
CRY helps raise awareness of such deaths.
The event is to be held at The Engineers Club, Abbey Road, Barrow, and Furness bands lined up to perform include Slipstream, Black Star, and duo, Freefall.
Mr Harlebury’s friend Chris Douglas, 19, will also perform a guitar solo on the night.
The club have given the room free of charge.
Andy’s mum and dad Cath, 40, and Alan, 46, will be there with his brother and sisters Sarah, 18, Alison, 15 and 12-year-old Stephen.
Mrs Hartlebury said they were hoping for an amazing night of fun and music to celebrate Andy’s life and how much he was loved by so many people.
She said: “The response that we have had has been amazing, from local bands donating their own time to help on the night to local businesses in Barrow for their donations for raffle prizes.
“The night means so much to us all. Andy was a wonderful loving son and we all miss him dearly.
“But if having this night for him and raising funds for these very worthwhile charities can help others, I know that he would be so proud of what we all are doing.”
The heartfelt poem was written by 21-year-old Nicola Matthews, a close friend of Andy’s.
Organisers were so moved by the ode that they decided to print it and hand it out to everyone attending the fund-raiser.
The organisers would still welcome donations of items for a prize draw.
Mrs Douglas said Andy loved his car and any motor related prizes would be welcomed.
Among the prizes so far is £50 worth of fuel from the Shell Garage on Abbey Road, Barrow, and Rayrigg Motor Group have donated a breakdown kit.
Anyone who wants to donate a prize or grab one of the 12 tickets left should call Mrs Douglas on 0797 0924 089.
A poem for Andy
This is not the end my friend, it’s only the beginning,
Now we must all prove to you our lives are still worth living,
There’s not a day that passes by that we don’t think of you and even though some days are hard we will somehow pull through.
We could never put a price on what your friendship meant, not even a thousand words could say,
No matter how big the attempt I bet you never realised you touched so many hearts and day by day as life goes on still can’t bear to let you part,
But really your not gone at all coz in our hearts you’ll always be so my friend, rest in peace our dearest Andy Pandy.
