'Fitness fanatic' firefighter dies from tragic…

'Fitness fanatic' firefighter dies from tragic diagnosis after he's rushed to hospital with stomach pains

Tributes have been paid to a 'kind' and 'amazing' dad who tragically died.

Andy Sale was rushed to hospital in Spain after he had collapsed with crippling stomach pains in December 2020, just months after a dream move to the country with his wife of 30 years, Denise.

After three months of tests, he received the harrowing cancer diagnosis. The couple wanted to stay in the country to "keep his dream alive" but the following year, they had to move back to the UK after he faced a £10,000 a month in hospital bills.

Sadly, Andy - who was a firefighter for three decades - lost his battle with cancer in December last year. His wife said she was "lucky to have him as a husband" and they never spent "any time apart".

She said: "He loved life and was dedicated to his family. He was so proud of everything his kids did and loved our big family dinners on a Sunday. Every single person he met would get a hug whether they liked it or not and everyone on his watch would vouch for that.

"He would never start his shift or end one without giving everyone a hug it was just how he was, he loved everybody. His motto was 'you may never have another tomorrow'."

Andy, from Childwall, Liverpool, was known for being a "fitness fanatic" and competed in triathlons, marathons, and three Ironman challenges. He regularly raised money for charity with his wife describing him as a man who "never though of himself".

Upon his return to Liverpool, Andy was put on medication and his health had begun to improve, meaning he was able to attend his son's wedding. Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Denise said: "He was so nervous on the day but so good. You could tell he was ill but he was able to do it and my son brought the wedding forward. We all rallied around him and helped him the best we could and it means so much to all of us that we got to share that memory together.

"He was a great dad and worked three jobs to provide for his children so we could go on holiday and give them a great life and that is what we got and had together."

Despite this, Denise noticed that lumps had begun to develop on Andy's neck. Following a doctor's appointment it was confirmed that the cancer had progressed.

In October 2021, he was diagnosed with Richter's Syndrome - a rare and aggressive form of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia. Denise added: "On December 9 he went in for a doctor's appointment and never came home. I was sorting his clothes out in the hope he would come home and I got a call from the hospital.

"I stayed with him for nine days until he passed away on December 23 and it broke my heart. He adored me, he used to say I was the glue that kept the family together and made sure we spent time with each other. We were soul mates there is no other way you can put it.

"His funeral demonstrated how well thought of he was because even the undertaker said he had never seen so many people. He had a full fire service funeral and there must have been 500 people in attendance. He was so well respected and I was lucky he was my husband".

Now, Andy's family are raising homey in his memory and his friend Simon Slater, who also lost his battle with cancer in 2021. A GoFundMe page has been set up for the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre where Andy was treated.

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