It is with the greatest sadness that the Trustees of OUCH (UK)  have to tell you that Les Charlton, our loved and esteemed chairman passed away at 8.00 pm last night (29 April).  Typical of the man’s generosity of spirit, he did not wish the news of his illness to be common knowledge; he has been suffering cancer for the last eighteen months and found that people’s sympathy was harder to deal with than the illness itself; he didn’t want people to feel uncomfortable about it when talking to him and preferred to keep the news to his immediate family and friends

He fought a very hard battle and dealt with the frustrations of a terminal illness with his usual dignity and dry sense of humour.  He endured very uncomfortable periods of treatment with the comment – ‘feeling a bit rough today’, when he had been through hell.

Les did not suffer fools gladly and was staunch in defence of sufferers and supporters and always fought to the bitter end for what he believed in.  His judgement, empathy and understanding made him an ideal chairman of OUCH and his is a role that will be impossible to fill – they truly broke the mould when they made Les. 

Throughout he has had the support of his family; Joan – our membership secretary, daughter Karen – our publicity officer, son Gary, daughter Debs and much loved grandchildren who were the apple of Granddad’s eye.  Les’ strength came not only from a deep well of personal courage, but also from the love of his family.

The world will be a sadder place without this man who was big not only literally but figuratively – big in heart, in generosity, in kindness and understanding.

Our thoughts are with him and his family at this very sad time.

The funeral arrangements will be announced when they are known.

Anyone wishing to send condolences can do so via info@ouchuk.org

Val.

he was one in a million, i will never ever forget him!!!


sandra xx

I'm terribly sorry.  I hope he is at peace.

Jerry