Natalie Collins

KENILWORTH HELPING HANDS CLUB
A Social Club for Disabled Young People
· Registered Charity Number 510506 ·

Natalie Collins

23/03/82 - 19/09/08

Natalie passed away suddenly on 19th September 2008, as a result of a road accident.

She was a much loved and special daughter of Michael and Jean and brother to Andrew and long term girlfriend of Gareth who had stood by her during, and after, her serious illness in 2001.

She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Natalie was a quiet, happy girl who had overcome enormous adversity in her life. Most of her schooling was in Witney, Oxfordshire and she moved to Warwick in 1998 when she started at Castle Sixth Form Centre in Kenilworth. Whilst there, she performed Community Service as part of her school curriculum, at the Helping Hands Club at Thorns School, Kenilworth.

In 2000 she went to Portsmouth University to start a French and European Studies degree and it was there that she met her long term boyfriend Gareth.

During the summer break of 2001 she was suddenly taken ill with a blood clot in her brain. This had a devastating effect on her but thanks to the care she received at Warwick, Walsgrave (now University) Hospitals and the Oxford Radcliffe Infirmary she survived. She then spent nearly 4 months at the Heathcote Rehabilitation Hospital re-learning all the basic skills including walking and talking.

Her ultimate recovery was quite good and she resumed a part time job at Warwick Sainsbury’s where she had worked prior to going to University. She also attended Warwickshire College where she undertook ABI courses aimed specifically at people who have had an acquired brain injury and this also aided her recovery.

Through all this her boyfriend, Gareth, had stood by her and he still managed to complete his degree in 2004.

Natalie had continued her involvement with the Helping Hands Club and, tragically, it was during her return from there that the accident occurred.

She will be greatly missed by all who knew her, but especially her parents Michael and Jean, her brother Andrew and, of course, by Gareth.

TRIBUTES

Once all of her friends at Kenilworth Helping Hands Club have come to terms with her death, we will print some remembrances of her from all who knew her at club.