Two cities, one brave girl
Nadine (Deanie) Wilson was brought up in a scootering family and at the tender age of just 16 lost her battle against cancer. Her love of the scooter scene was sparked by her dad and mum. Two years ago, she inspired the two cities of Salford and Stoke to come together to raise money for the children's unit at Stoke hospital. Deanie was a remarkable character, and even planned her own funeral. On the day it was requested that Stoke City Shirts or bright colours (no black) be worn, and that a guard of honour be made up of scooterists. The day was to be a celebration of Deanie's life. The vanguard of the cortege was H and Wolfie, then followed by clubs and scooterists paying their individual and collective respects. I never knew Deanie, so that's why the words shouldn't come from me, but from those who knew her best…
Pete and Kerry, Deanie’s parents
“Deanie was always a planner. We sat with her for many a night arranging her funeral and her legacy. She was all too aware how hard it was for us, but she wouldn't waver. Things had to be put in order. Her charity (Deanie's Retreat) was her dream. She wanted to help families in a similar situation to ours to be able to have a break and some respite. These were things and thoughts that a 16 year old girl should NEVER have to do. Yes. Many tears flowed, but she insisted we carry on.”
From H
“Deanie's selflessness inspired me, when she was in the local hospital having treatment she noticed lots of the things you'd expect on a children's ward were missing or old, she inspired us to put on ‘Scooters v Cancer' and after the money was raised instead of giving it straight to the hospital where it would just be sucked in to the system, she gave us a list of things to buy for the kids' ward, from computers and dolls to art things for all ages, her thoughtfulness will stay with me – along with her cheeky smile.”
Skafather Phil Eccleston
Deanie's story is a sad one, but it is also a remarkable one, in that it encompassed so many other lives and had an effect on so many people. It's a story of courage and determination as well as hope. Deanie was and still is to me one of the most courageous and inspiring people that I have ever known, in the two and a half years of her illness, that shone through like a light in the darkness. She was a normal teenager, who could have been bitter and resentful but wasn't, when I asked how she felt she simply replied with a smile: “It's just the hand I've been dealt.” To hear that from someone so young was to hear it from someone who had a better understanding of life than people twice her age. She was dealing with the situation the only way she knew how – by being selfless.”
Deanie's memory and legacy carries on, she set up a charity, a respite retreat for those suffering all the turmoil that an incredibly poorly child brings. The funds are building, incredible work has been done, but it needs that ‘one more push' to finish it. Please, chuck in a couple of quid and help complete the work of a young girl who loved our scene and gave so much to our own: www.gofundme.com/deanies-retreat Words: Rik Photographs: Rik & Ghost