Our beautiful, 
loving & funny youngest son,  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 enthusiasm for life.
NICKs 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 have since joined him), 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, a 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.



 






Thank you for visiting Nicks site today.
We love to know who is thinking of Nick so please light a candle to show you care.
 
Thank you also for the continuing support 
 given to us in this new life without 
our precious son & brother
from Nicks family
Dad Kelvin
Mum Yvonne
and brothers
Nev & Nathan




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. 


Nick and Ross


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.

Nev in Praia da Luz

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 scenario 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 Portuguese 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 liaison 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.

Dylan & Archie by the Tree

27th November 2003

We finally received the news that NICK was positively identified. Now we could bring him home! Or could we?
The Portuguese 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 remembrance, 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
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.

Nicks final resting place




 

Born Nicholas Stamp................known to his family 
as  Nick but to his many friends as Stampy.
Tributes were paid to Stampy as we all waited for 
news of his recovery.
Just a few of the words written at that time were......

"the strongest character"
"he was everything to everyone! 
"a gift to make people laugh, and to make people happy"
 "the guy who was loved by everyone who had met him"
"i would like to thank Nick for always being there for me"
"he was the nicest boy i have ever met"
"simply the best"
 "such a sweetheart [most of the time]"
"a true gem"  
"his ability to light up a room" 
"brought brightness into my world"
"he always had a smile and a kind word"
"incredibly modest and approachable"
"so hard to say but goodbye nick"







Too Soon

This was a life that had hardly begun
No time to find your place in the sun
No time to do all you could have done
But we loved you enough for a lifetime.

No time to enjoy the world and its wealth 
No time to take life down from the shelf
No time to sing the song of yourself
Though you had enough love for a lifetime.

Those who live long endure sadness and tears
But you'll never suffer the sorrowing years
No betrayal, no anger, no hatred, no fears
Just love , only love , in your lifetime.





Nicks love of life is so evident through the stories
 we have been told by his mates.
Many have been added to the tribute section. 
We thank everyone for letting us into Nicks other world..............
 and sharing the special Stampy times 
that you spent together.








Nicks football world



As soon as Nick could walk football became his world.
His love of the beautiful game was encouraged by his football mad brothers.
As soon as Nick was old enough he was taken to the park by them,  stood in goal , and aimed at with such force.
Nick always returned covered in mud, with the widest grin. He adored every minute.
When he was five he wanted to join a football team, and badgered us continually. We felt he was just a bit too young and promised him that as soon as he was seven he could sign for Woodley Saints just as his brothers had  a few years before. 

Nick loved the team spirit and it gave him a feeling of selfworth when he struggled with the academics of school life. Nick was a very popular player and forged many friendships with the Woodley Saints players over the years.

Nick loved Reading Football Club  more than life itself.
His first visit to Elm Park aged six was to capture his heart. He became a Loyal Royal and watched his beloved team home and away as soon as he was old enough to. 
Saturdays were special RFC days.
He became a season ticket holder and his passion continued throughout his life. The ups and downs of supporting a yoyo team never dampened his enthusiasm. 

Nick would have been so proud when his team eventually were promoted to the Premiership.
In Nicks memory a brick was placed in the memorial wall at the Mad Stad.

We know in our hearts that Nick is very proud to be part of the Royals history for eternity

SO MANY IMAGES COME TO MIND WHENEVER I SPEAK YOUR NAME,
I KNOW WITHOUT YOU IN MY LIFE THINGS WILL NEVER BE THE SAME.

SON, SOMETIMES I HEAR YOUR VOICE AND TURN TO SEE YOUR FACE,
YET WHEN I TURN MY HEAD AROUND THE SOUND HAS BEEN ERASED.

OH NICK IF I COULD TURN BACK TIME JUST TO SEE YOUR SMILE,
JUST TO HUG YOU ONE MORE TIME IF ONLY FOR A WHILE.

YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS ARE ON MY WALLS SO I'LL ALWAYS SEE YOUR FACE,
PLEASE KNOW THAT I MISS YOU AND NO-ONE CAN TAKE YOUR PLACE.

NICK, I LOVE YOU AND YOU KNOW I ALWAYS WILL,
YOU'RE IN MY HEART FOREVER, COS I FEEL YOU WITH ME STILL.