We are very sad to report that in the early hours of Sunday morning, 15th July, Team Support Group member Howard Gilliland, aged 68, passed away following a long and debilitating illness.

Howard, a friend to all in the team and with a great sense of humour, first became involved in the team, when along with his wife Teresa, they both followed their daughter Elaine into the team, joining our Support Group in July 2008.

Whether this was so mum and dad could keep an eye on what their daughter (Who soon became and continues to be, our Training Officer) Elaine was up to as a Call Out list member is open to some debate! but both Teresa and Howard very quickly became stalwart and very valued members of our Support Group.

Whether it was helping with team catering, fundraising, or just keeping our Team Leader in place with gentle and good humoured ‘put downs’! Howard was always at the side of Teresa at all occasions the active team required their help and that of the Support Group.

Early this year as Howard’s illness gradually worsened, he sadly had to leave attending team activities, as did his wife and Support Group member Teresa, who cared for him alongside the help of Elaine (Our Training Officer)

Howard’s funeral will take place on Tuesday 24th July at 15.00hrs, at Charnock Richard Crematorium, with team representatives from the Support Group and Operational Call Out membership due to attend.

The funeral service will be followed by a celebration of Howard’s life at the Hoghton Arms Public House.

The whole team expresses sincere condolences to Teresa, Howard’s loving and supportive wife, his two loving daughters, including Elaine Gilliland our Training Officer, and other family members and friends.