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The George O’Brien Trust, or George’s Trust as it has become known, was set up in memory of a very special young man who was a darling son, wonderful brother and a true friend to many people.
He was a kind hearted, gentle soul and always thought of others before himself. Quietly confident and good at most things, but modest as well. He brought strength to those in pain, reassurance to those who faltered and was a role model to others around him.
George was a boy whose lovely face was never without a smile for too long.
George was seventeen years old when he died. He didn’t spend very long on this earth in the great scheme of things but managed to touch more people’s hearts in his seventeen years than most people do in eighty.
The biggest shock of all was that this was completely unexpected as there were no signs or symptoms giving any hint of disease or illness.
He was a fit and healthy seventeen year old who went to bed at 22:30 on Thursday night but died in intensive care at Southampton General Hospital at 08:00 on Friday October 31st 2008 of an acute lymphoblastic lymphoma.
His death shook everyone - the proof of this being the five hundred or so people that attended his service of celebration in Romsey Abbey on the 12th November.
George was born on the 24th September 1991. He went to the local playgroup in Romsey Town Hall, then to the Romsey Abbey Primary School.
He later attended Romsey School where he gained 14 GCSEs. In September, George, who had hoped to become a forensic scientist, began his A-level courses at Peter Symonds College in Winchester. He was taking Law, Biology, Psychology and Environmental Studies.
George sang in the Romsey Abbey Choir, both as a chorister and on the back row with the men, for ten years
In a piece of course work he submitted while at Romsey School he wrote:
“My main hobby at the moment is singing alto in the Romsey Abbey Choir; the alto is the part below the boy’s treble, which is usually sung by men. Since my voice started to break, instead of leaving the choir I decided to move to the back row with the men. I really enjoy singing and it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to be part of a really good Choir, good enough to sing for the Queen on her recent visit to Romsey. I think I will always sing, but I think I will not be able to stay in the Abbey Choir all my life.”
He was a keen sportsman and played rugby, football & tennis. He played the baritone saxophone and clarinet with Romsey Area Schools Orchestra and Romsey Area Youth Jazz Orchestra, plus he was a Young Leader with the local scouts and was just starting his Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
George was very aware of life around him and would help anyone in need. He had projects that he wanted to do in the future, ironically two of these involved fundraising for cancer research.
In the same piece of coursework he wrote:
“One day I want to walk Hadrian’s Wall for Charity, which is seventy three miles long. Some time after that I want to walk the Great Wall of China with my friends. Having been through the trauma of losing a relative to cancer myself, I would like to walk for this cause. I think the sooner there is a cure found for this horrible disease the better.”
George may not have fulfilled all his goals, but in his memory the Trust can support young people towards their achievements
The staff at Southampton General did all they could to help him but unfortunately the tumour was too advanced.
George was a fun-loving, active and caring teenager and “George’s Trust” will be a positive way forward to helping others.
The Daily Mail published an article about George, click here to read it.
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