Nick Walsh

Nick Walsh tragically collapsed died of a brain haemorrhage.

The popular and cheeky teenager was a massive personality in the town, known to many as 'Little Walshy'.

Nick leaves his parents, brothers, Tom aged 19, Greg, 18 and sister, Olivia aged 14.

His mother, Julie, said: "He had an opinion on everything. He was such a happy person and wise beyond his years."

His father Tom recalled times when Nick said he hoped to become a plasterer or own a bar in Majorca, Minorca, or Bulgaria.

"He would always come out with these lines from nowhere, it was the simplicity of them that made us crack up."

"He was a cheeky sod, always persuading me to give him money. I remember one time a friend had 50p in her hand. Nick took it from her and straight faced said 'I collect these' and put it in his pocket."

Nick's favourite football team was Arsenal and they sent their condolences this week.

The England and Gunners star, Theo Walcott, who Nick met, said: "I was so saddened and shocked to hear the terrible news about Nick.

"On behalf of myself and my team mates, our thoughts go out to his family and friends."

Clare Muir, of the Swan Youth Centre, where Nick was a regular, said: "Nick never failed to bring the Youth Centre to life with his famous ipod and dance routines. Nick was the happiest young person I have ever met."

Richard Dalziel, Head of Ashlyns School where Nick was a sixth-former, said: "Nick fitted the cliché of a 'larger than life' character who made other people laugh, sometimes at the wrong moment!

"The school was shocked and saddened by the news of his sudden death. His enthusiasm and energy made him such a popular person, not just in school but across the town."

Distraught students were informed of the tragedy at a special assembly and a Book of Remembrance has been opened for students.

There were no warning signs that Nick was ill. Last Tuesday he came home from school and left for a friend's house.

Later, his family received a call from a passer-by who found him and used the youth's mobile phone to call.

Julie said: "We would like to thank James, the man who found him.

"He could have thought he was just a drunken teenager and walked by, but he didn't and that extra time saved meant we could be with Nick."

Nick was rushed to Hemel Hempstead Hospital where it was discovered a blood vessel in his brain had ruptured, causing bleeding.

He was transferred to the Royal Free Hospital, London where he fell into a coma.

Many friends sent text messages urging him to pull through but by Thursday it became clear that Nick was brain dead and the life support machine was switched off.

Hundreds paid tributes to Nick on Sunday in the last Berkhamsted Rangers 2005 match of the season - a game he would have played in.

Mourners filled Berkhamsted Football Club's Broadwater ground, to cheer the Rangers on as they battled from 5-2 down to draw 5-5 with Bennetts Hemel.

Nick's brother, Tom, who wore Nick's number 14 shirt, said: "He would have been really proud of us although he would have shouted at me for being such a show pony."

Nick was captain of Berkhamsted Town U18s and had aspirations to follow his brother Greg's footsteps on to the First Team.

His father said: "He lived for football.

"When he was nine and in unbelievable pain with a serious ear infection he kept quiet because he didn't want to miss Arsenal play Manchester United.

"It was only
when we arrived back from Manchester he told us and we rushed him to hospital."

Rangers team manager, Keith Bayliss, said: "God needed a captain for his under 18s team.

"He needed someone who would tackle like Nobby Stiles, who had the belligerence of Billy Bremner, and the all day winning stamina of Alan Ball.

"He chose Nick- once a Ranger always a Ranger. Score one for me Nick."
Nick will be cremated at a private service on Tuesday, May 22.

A memorial service will be held at St Peter's Church, Berkhamsted at 12:30 on the same day. The family welcomes anyone who wishes to say goodbye to him.

In lieu of flowers Nick's family will collect donations that will be given to Ashlyns School so they can buy sports equipment.

Nick had been due to do a fun run to raise funds for Ashlyns and his family felt it appropriate to raise money for a cause he so ardently supported.

Taken from: hemeltoday.co.uk