I didn't know the lad but was honoured to be asked along on his annual commemorative do yesterday. There were about 60 of us so we instantly filled any pub we went in. I hope Paul's family get to see some of the videos taken on phones of the singing. He'll Never Die being the highlight. Throughout the day I heard so many stories about the personality and strength of spirit of this lad who, although he was almost completely imobile from the neck down, would still go round town in his wheelchair with his mates and could teach most of us a thing or two about positive attitude. Nothing will bring Paul back but while he's honoured like this every year you can say that, in a way, He'll Never Die. .
from barnsleytoday Holiday fall man dies at the age of 37 A BARNSLEY man crippled after falling into a swimming pool on a Caribbean holiday and who found true love with the nurse who looked after him, has tragically died. Paul Rushforth was left a quadraplegic and wheelchair bound after breaking his neck when he fell into the shallow pool on the last night of a two week holiday in the Dominican Republic eight years ago. After being flown back to the UK and spending several weeks on a ventilator in intensive care, the former warehouse manager was looked after for more than a year in the spinal unit at Sheffield's Northern General Hospital. That was where he met nurse Karen Latimer who helped him come to terms with his disability and then after they fell in love, became his wife. But on Sunday 37-year-old Paul was found dead by Karen in their bedroom. Today at their home in Pollitt Street, Barnsley, heartbroken 36-year-old Karen, said: "I just woke up and he was in bed next to me, but he was dead. "I am completely numb, I just can't believe Paul is no longer with me. He meant the absolute world to me and words cannot describe how I feel right now." On Valentine's Day 2, 000 lifelong Barnsley fan Paul married Karen at Oakwell after she secretly organised the entire ceremony and he turned up believing he was going to be a guest at a blessing ceremony for his best friend. After tying the knot in front of friends and relatives, many appropriately dressed in red and white, a delighted Paul said: "I cannot believe so many people kept this a secret from me. "I saw Karen standing there in her wedding gown and she said 'Paul I love you, will you marry me' and I said 'Yes, you know I love you you silly beggar'. Karen, who described herself as "the happiest bride in the world" had moved from her home, family and friends to be with Paul in Barnsley. The surprise Valentine wedding was arranged by a national Make it Happen competition who chose Karen's romantic wish from hundreds of applicants. A year later, nearly five years after the tragic accident, the company Paul had travelled with on that fateful holiday, First Choice, agreed to pay £200,000 compensation and Paul's legal costs of around £50,000. At the time Paul recalled the day his life changed when he fell into just four feet of water. "I had just come out of the toilet, it was dark and I lost my footing," he said. "The next thing I knew I couldn't move my arms or legs." A post mortem will be held. 30 November 2004
I don't know where he originated from Cazi. I didn't have the pleasure of knowing him just the honour of being invited along on his rememberance do.
