Tributes aplenty for brave Oakley

TRIBUTES poured in for 'the little man' yesterday. Cancer sufferer Oakley Waterman was brave and courageous in his short life, which sadly came to an end at the age of six on Wednesday evening.

'It's just so tragic that someone with such verve and who enjoyed his sport so much has been taken away,' said close family friend Neil Sillett.

'The family and his parents, Dave and Lorraine, have handled it better than anyone could ever have imagined. Their heartbreak is unimaginable and he was loved more than any kid I know,' he said.

John Waterman, cousin of Oakley's dad, said: 'It's nice that he has gone to a place now where he can rest and he can play football all day long, as he wanted to.

'On behalf of the family we want to say that he has been quite a little fighter and 'the little man' kept on in there until this time. We all thought it would be a lot quicker but he has been very, very brave,' said Mr Waterman.

'Although it was expected it is never easy, especially for Dave and Lorraine. He surprised us all with his courage and bravery and that he battled this long,' he said.

Mr Waterman thanked everybody on behalf of the family for their support and thoughts.

Her husband had some children's goalie gloves featuring the Guernsey flag specially made for Oakley.

'I remember the last time we saw him at the caravan. He gave Tardy the high fives and thanked him for the gloves. The whole family have been brilliant and we wanted to do something for them,' she said.

A four-course meal and auction of football memorabilia at Oxford's Kassam Stadium earlier this week raised more than '8,000 for the Oakley Waterman Caravan Foundation.

'He was such a brave, lovely little boy and all the Oxford fans have been fantastic,' said Mrs Tardif.

Former manager Jim Smith attended the event along with professional footballer Linvoy Primus, who drove up from Portsmouth.

West Bromwich Albion players Darren Moore and Russell Hoult also donated shirts to the auction.

Money continues to be raised for the foundation.

Oakley's father, a former professional footballer with Portsmouth and Oxford United, had appealed for donations to help fulfil his son's wish to help others suffering like him.

The initial response to an appeal for money for a static caravan at Church Farm Holiday Park, in which Oakley stayed for respite and as a treat, has been remarkable, with donations flooding in.

'The trust is now very much in the forefront and we want to get that firmly in place and hopefully this caravan will be secured in his name for others. Hopefully, it will give some comfort to the family and those who use it,' said Mr Waterman.

Oakley's Charity Motorcycle Spin 2005, in support of the foundation, is still going ahead as scheduled on Sunday, starting between 2pm and 2.30pm.

Islanders on any bike, quad or trike are being urged to show their support and even non-motorcyclists are invited to see the bikes and make a donation.

'With the sad event of his death, it would be nice for more people to come along in his memory because it was his dream to have this caravan,' said event organiser Shane Rosamond.

'The interest has been very good and all the local motorcycle clubs will be sending members and the general motorcycling public of Guernsey have shown a lot of interest,' he said.

At least 150 motorcyclists are expected to attend.

The round-the-island spin will start and finish at Sir Charles Frossard House.

Anybody wanting to know more about the trust or who wants to donate or raise money can contact Mr Waterman at the Oakley Waterman Caravan Foundation, Jardin des Reves, La Ruette des Corneilles, Cobo, Castel, GY5 7PP, call 255629 or 07781 155629 or email john.waterman@amalgamatedfm.com.