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Family remembers tragic Ashley

21/ 8/2008

TRIBUTES have been paid to a dad who has died of a heart attack aged 43.

Ashley Young has been described as a ‘lovely, gentle man’ and a ‘great guy’.

And his friends and family are rallying round to raise money to set up a trust fund for his six-year-old son Cameron’s future.

His wife, Debbie, said: "Ash was a really lovely, gentle man. To see so many people at his funeral showed how much he touched people’s lives.

"He was very sociable, but very modest too and intelligent. It’s just been horrific for us since he died."

Ash, a floor-sander and labourer lived much of the past 20 years in Chorlton and Didsbury. He and Debbie had split up, but they remained on good terms, and he played an active role in Cameron’s upbringing as well as helping out with Debbie’s two other children, Alabama, ten, and Rio, two.

Debbie, 31, who lives on Newbrook Avenue, Chorlton, said: "He was a great person and it’s been devastating for all of us because he would always take the others out when he came to see Cameron, so we were still all a family together.

"He used to love writing poems and stories, just for himself really, but I’m going to compile them and give them to Cameron when he gets a bit older."

Ashley died at around 9pm on Wednesday, July 30. A tribute night to raise money for Cameron is being held on Wednesday, August 27, organised by his boss and friend, Alan Bitterman.

Debbie, an English student at Manchester Metropolitan University, said: "It’s such a fantastic thing for Alan to do and I’m really grateful.

"My other children still have their dads around to give them a legacy for the future, but Cameron won’t have that and I think Alan just wanted to do something to help.

"This will give some financial help for Cameron’s future."

Ashley is also survived by three sisters, Sheridan, 40, Beverley, 39, and Stephanie, 17.

As well as writing stories and poems in his spare time, he loved listening to music by artists such as Nick Cave and Nick Drake. He was also a fan of punk music.

Ashley also like cycling and would regularly ride along the River Mersey between Didsbury and Stockport.

Alan Bitterman, 55, who lives at The Beeches in Didsbury, employed Ashley in his architectural salvage and floor reclamation businesses.

He said: "I was so shocked when Debbie told me Ash had died.

"He was one of the nicest men you could meet. He was gentle and kind and worked hard - he was a really great guy.

"You don’t expect someone of that age to die of a heart attack and it’s such a shame for Cameron.

"My grandson Michael goes to school with Cameron and I just wanted to do my best for the little boy."

The fundraising night will be held at the Woodstock pub on Barlow Moor Road, West Didsbury, from 9pm on Wednesday, August 27.

The night will feature acoustic music by Matt Wolff, Spider Mike King and other acts. An auction of signed football shirts and balls from Manchester United, Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers, is also expected to take place.

Tickets are £5. All proceeds will be donated to a trust fund for Cameron Young.