Nick Stamp

Our beautiful, loving & funny youngest son, NICK, adored " little bro" , treasured grandson,
a much loved nephew and cousin .
A friend to so many.


NICK was born in Reading on 4th December 1987 and died in Praia da Luz Portugal as the result of a
tragic drowning accident on 25th October 2003, aged 15 years.

NICK was a very special person. He touched everyone with his infectious personality and his
enthusiam for life.
NICK glass was half full , not half empty. He had "NICK" names for everyone and a sense of humour
that he inflicted on all. NICK always saw the best in people.
His passions in life included football, -he was a season ticket holder at Reading F.C.- and played
for local teams from the age of seven.-, his dogs Dylan and Archie, (who miss him so much too), his
friends and his family.


NICKS life was taken so suddenly, on holiday in Portugal. He was swept into the sea from rocks as
he was having his photo taken by his friend Ross.

We miss NICK so much. Our life has continued without him, ..........different life with trampled
dreams.

We love NICK
We love the happy person he was, and the beautiful memories he has left with us. We value the gift
of love he has given us and treasure the time he spent with us.
Remembering NICK will always be a very special thing, and he will live on in our memories forever.




NICKS STORY

24th October 2003


NICK had to wait on the doorstep when he got home from school,he had forgotten his key again. NICK
and Ross dashed to the travel agents to change their money.The long awaited holiday to Portugal was
almost here. His case was packed and he was ready to go. Their flight was early so he was staying
with Ross that night.
" Laters" said NICK giving me, his mum a high five. "Give your mum a kiss" I said, so he did and I
waved him off, not knowing that was the last time I was to see him.


25th October 2003

They arrived in Portugal. NICK rang us at 11 o'clock to say he'd got there safely. After a brief
chat to his Dad, I said " Have a lovely time, see you on Saturday". He said "I will, Bye".

NICK and Ross couldn't wait to explore ( look for local talent!) They took a couple of photos then
decided to go back for lunch at a local pub with Ross's parents. They then returned to base for a
rest.
After a short while, NICK and Ross went out again, this time in the opposite direction.The coastline
was far rockier and NICK asked Ross to take his photo by a large rock, closer to the sea. Just as
his photo was taken, the sea came over the rock knocking him over. It was too slippery for NICK to
get to his feet. A second wave swept him out to sea. Ross raced for help.

A search & sea rescue was launched and continued until dusk. It was to be resumed at first light.



THE SEARCH

The search began again, to no avail. It continued the following day, but was finally abandoned. The
experts knew that the sea would only return NICK to us in its own time.
We decided not to travel to Portugal. We would be of no help, if the experts could not find him,
what chance had we.
We decided that we would fly out when NICK was recovered and bring our son home. Or so we thought.

The waiting was all too much for Nev. He decided to go to Portugal with his friends.He carved NICKS
name into the rocks where he disappeared but returned home after a week devastated that he couldn't
find him.


11th November 2003

A day of very mixed emotions.
We received the news that a body had been found three miles up the coastline. Finally, after
eighteen days, NICK had been found.We were elated because the worst senario for us was never to get
NICK back.This was short lived, when reality set in. NICK was dead. We were distraught.



12th November 2003

A new phase of the nightmare was about to begin.We were advised not to travel to Portugal straight
away. The identity of the body was proving to be difficult. It would depend on D.N.A. and this could
take some time.The Portugese authority could perform the test but the results could take up to six
months to process.This was totally unacceptable.
The next few days were spent in a bubble, cushioned by shock, to the awfulness of the situation.We
walked for miles, just to fill the long days. We visited the tree,which was a meeting place in the
local park where Nick and his friends would hang out. Flowers had been placed at the foot of the
tree as a tribute to their friend.

Our family liason officer D.C. Mike Bland had become our anchor. He was given the go ahead to
travel to Portugal. He was to collect a D.N.A. sample from the body and return to process it here in
the U.K. The results could take up to three weeks.


27th November 2003

We finally received the news that NICK was positively identified. Now we could bring him home! Or
could we?
The Portugese authority would not release his body to us.They claimed he was a health risk.We were
told that a cremation would have to take place there. It seemed that they put every obstacle in the
way of NICKS return. We decided after advice, that NICKS body would be returned to us, somehow, as
he was not a health risk to anyone.We would have to go to court in order for this to happen.



4th December 2003

NICKS 16th Birthday.
We desperately wanted NICK back for his 16th birthday, but it wasn't to be.
We joined his friends at the tree.


6th December 2003

The inquest in Portugal.
The international undertakers represented us in court. They were prepared to return NICK in a sealed
casket. The Portugese at last relented, and signed the release documents.
Mike advised us not to travel, as he did not want any further delays to Nicks return. We could not
see NICK or even travel with his casket so the repatriation was to take place immediately.



8th December 2003

NICK finally came home.



22nd December 2003

A service of rememberance, love and thanksgiving for NICKS life was held at St Peters Church in
Earley, and was attended by over four hundred family and friends. It was followed by a cremation.
A reception was held at The Moat House Hotel, Sindlesham.



24th December 2003

Christmas Eve

NICKS ashes were interned by his family at Mays Lane Cemetery in a private, and emotional
occasion on Christmas Eve.
We finally had a resting place for him.




Other sites in NICKS memory

http://www.freewebs.com/robbo699/index.htm

http://nick-stampy-stamp.memory-of.com/About.aspx

to be continued...........