Tamsin wanted me to share with you some of the many lovely and heartfelt correspondence she has received by post, email and via Alan’s RNLI tribute page which have touched her, brought tears to her eyes yet strengthened her at this very difficult time.

Dear Tamsin,

The English language is one of rich diversity and yet, at times like this, it is so difficult to find the correct words.

Although the outcome of Alan’s illness was inevitable, it must still have come as a great shock to you.

I just want you to know that my thoughts are with you and will remain with you at this time.

I can assure you, dear girl, that things do get better although it takes some time.

Alan said that Errol was the first person to welcome him to the HYC so maybe, just maybe, he is doing the same thing now.

With sympathy and much love to you,

Glen (Mulvenna)

Dear Tamsin,

I am really very sorry that I shall be unable after all to be with you next Thursday as I have not been able to change my flight.

It is a huge disappointment to me as I had hoped very much to be at the funeral and at the Club afterwards.

I will be thinking of you both that day.

I keep my copy of Alan’s book as part of my ‘Top Ten Desert Island choices’ and will treasure it – what he did was a bit mad but very brave. He was also very brave in a different way when facing up to things before the end.

With very best wishes,

Ross (Luke)




 
Dear Tamsin,

I am so sorry that you have lost your soulmate, Alan. I hope the fact that you did everything you could for him will make it a little less difficult.

I will try to be here for you to help in any way I can.

Love you sweetie!

Bev (Mulvenna)

My dearest Tam,

I have been thinking of you so much and I got back this afternoon and finally I can write down a few words.

I am so, so sorry that you have had your dear husband taken away from you. I only met Alan a few times but I was always struck by what a lovely man he was - so elegant, handsome, (such romantic eyebrows!), relaxed, charming and funny - it was always a pleasure to see him. He was one of those rare straight men who seemed truly happy being himself without having to act a part - and clearly totally and utterly devoted to you. I cannot even begin to imagine what emotions you must be going through. You were so clearly such a wonderful team and I'm sure it will be a long journey ahead to work out how to come to terms with it all. I looked back at the date you sent the previous message and I see that the months they talked of turned out to be only weeks - life is very, very hard and difficult to understand sometimes. I'm sure Stephen will continue to give you the support that you have always given each other over the years. I'm so glad to hear that he died peacefully with you by his side.

You have had more than your fair share of tough times it seems to me - but on the other hand I'm not sure how many people have the luck of meeting the right person and having the sort of relationship you two had. It has been so horribly cut short - but no one can take that away from you.

Sending you so much love,

Sophe x (Sophie Daneman)


 
Dearest Tamsin,

You know that our thoughts are with you at this time. We will never forget the good times we had together, whether it was just Alan and Dominic or the four of us. We are blessed to have friends like you and will always be here for you whether you need a laugh or a cry.

With love,

Dominic and Elaine

There will be a gap in the world that will be very hard to fill. Such a lovely, kind and gentle man. He will be much missed.

Ruth and Fred

Your final voyage, to that far blue, blue sky, blue sea. We'll remember you!

Andy Oliver

In the loving memory of Alan Rush who will be greatly missed.

RNLI is the most extraordinary charity that Alan would be so proud to support.
May he rest in peace.

With lots of love Alex & Joss

Dear Tamsin,

I am very sad to hear the news about Alan.

You were clearly a very devoted couple – a precious thing which I hope brings you some comfort.

Thinking of you.

With much love,

Corrie xx

Dear Tamsin,

So sad to hear that Alan has left us.

He was a lovely man and a great friend to all of us.

If you need anything or would like to go out to lunch or just chat, I’m always here.

Bon Courage.

All my love,

Annie Dawson

Dear Tamsin,

We are so sad to be writing this card but want to say just how much we like the company of Alan at the HYC.

Honestly, he was probably one of the nicest members ever.

Our support for you is offered unconditionally, no matter what.

Much love,

Alan and Pam Russell

Dear Tamsin,

So sorry to hear that Alan passed away this morning. He was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed, my heart weeps with you at this very sad time.

May he rest in peace now and his memory live on, such a lovely man.

Best wishes to you at this difficult time.

Lots of love,
Jim.
R.I.P

This is an email sent to Alan by his nephew Darren when he was told by his parents Maureen and Dave that he was unwell. Alan read it and told Tamsin that it brought a tear to his eye:

Hi Alan

I think the last time I wrote to you I had to put the letter in an airmail envelope and attach about 6 stamps.

I wanted you to know that although we haven’t seen each other for years I often think about my “cool” uncle.

The amount of people I still tell about you and how you sailed the world and lived on different small islands that no one has heard of (fanning island is the one I remember most).

My daughter May who is now 7 (I have attached a photo,) must be fed up of me saying to her whenever we see a boat “my uncle was a sailor”. I just can’t help telling whoever I am with when I see a sailing boat.

Even May has got some of the family adventure genes swimming with dolphins.

You have given me and Ian so many memories that very few people can say about their uncle, the excitement we felt when we got a an airmail letter or when we went to Nan and Granddads and would see real sharks jaw or teeth, or even when you were back and would tell us stories or show us photos. Can you imagine being those young boys with an adventurer of an uncle (with an accent).

I wanted you to know that these are memories that will be with me forever and I am proud to have such a cool uncle, I will continue to boast about you for many many years to come.

It would be lovely to hear back from you as it would bring back memories of the excitement as a child of hearing from my adventurous uncle.

Regards

Darren

Alan replied and they spoke briefly on the phone on a day shortly before he died.