23/03/2026
Evening Everyone,
I wanted to take a moment to talk about something that’s close to home for me, not just as a Funeral Director and survivor, but as someone who cares deeply about the people in our community.
Every single day, I meet families at one of the hardest times in their lives. I see first-hand the impact that losing someone has - the shock, the heartache, and the conversations that often start with “we didn’t know” or “we wish we’d caught it sooner.”
It stays with you.
That’s why what we’re doing with Below The Belt matters so much to me.
Although I’m there to support families when someone has passed, there are still so many people out there right now who don’t even realise something could be wrong.
People putting things off.
People thinking it won’t happen to them.
All I can do is urge anyone - especially men - don’t leave it to luck. Get checked. Have the conversation. Take that step.
We need to keep banging that drum with the same message - early detection saves lives.
I’ve had countless conversations around this, and the truth is, as a community, we need to take this by the scruff of the neck. Look after our own. Be there for each other. Because no one else is going to do it for us.
There are two things that are certain with this:
Firstly, life can change in a moment.
Secondly, some of these situations don’t have to happen if we act early.
I’m proud of what we’re doing with Below The Belt and the awareness we’re building together.
But now it’s time to kick it up.
Because I don’t just want to be there for you when someone has gone. I want to help make sure you’re here for as long as possible.
So please - turn up. Get tested. Don’t put it off.
I’ll see some of you soon, whether that’s out in the community, at an event, or just having a chat.
Bye for now,
Dean.