For Max... x

From Charlotte

There was always something so special about Max. His smile could light up a room, and if he was out, you knew that the night would be full of adventure with always something to talk about the next day. I can't actually remember the first time I met Max but I do remember endless lunch times sitting in my year room with Holly and the girls watching the boys play football in the back cage. It was Owen who I first became friends with out of the 'Queens Park Boys'. I was in year 8 and in the school production of the 'Wiz' with him and Rosie. I think it must have been around that time that I was first introduced to Max, the handsome, playful, crazy member of the group who could charm you in a second and always took a minute to see how you were doing.

That was the thing about Max, it felt like there was nothing fake about him, he had time for everyone and everyone loved him for it. I remember walking home from school with him one day after the masses had dispersed form the school gates. (I must have been about 14 so he would have been 16) I felt so totally comfortable talking to him about all my (at that point ) incredibly important and top secret love life issues which back then I obviously would never have dreamed of talking about with a boy, but even then there was just something so honest and true about Max that made you immediately open up and trust him. I remember wishing that I had lived further away form school so we could have talked for longer, I just couldn't get over how friendly and incredibly 'cool' he was.

The thought of Queens park without Max seems so far out of reach. Just thinking of the park, the Irish centre or the Montrose immediately makes you think of Max and the boys, of summer days watching them all play football, of being so nervous to drink in the pub with them when I was so obviously under age, of feeling so excited each time I came into the area and knowing that whatever happened, as long as we were with the 'Queens Park Boys', we would all be having fun. But above all, remembering how privileged I felt to be able to hang out with such an exceptionally special and true group of people. Max was at the centre of it all, making you feel at ease and included, Max always made you feel like he wanted you to be there and to be having as much fun as he was. of course, he succeeded every time.

After the boys went travelling and then on to university I saw a lot less of Max, but even when he wasn't there you always knew that come Christmas eve or new years, him and the boys would be back, ready to party and bringing the Hampstead crew together again. I think that this Christmas in particular made me realise how lucky I was to be apart of such an amazing and secure group of friends back home. Max organised the new years celebrations and in true Max style brought everyone together for a perfect evening.

Thinking back to it now though it just makes you realise how blissfully naive we all were, it never seemed imaginable that this could happen to someone who was as widely admired and loved as Max was. Its like a new door has been opened and on the other side nothing feels quite the same. I can't imagine how hard the last month must have been for those lucky enough to have been fully a part of Max's life, his qualities were those that many of us could only ever aspire to or wish for in a friend. It hurt so much not being able to attend the funeral and be there with the people who knew Max and feel how huge this loss is, but in a way I don't ever want to say goodbye to max, instead I want to remember him exactly the way he was when I last saw him; giving a huge hug, a cheeky smile, with endless warmth and energy.

My thoughts are with everyone who had the privilege of knowing Max, he was never just a name or someone who people vaguely knew but instead he always took the time to become a friend and I'm just so thankful for each of the happy memories he's given me. He was a true legend and I will never forget him.

Missing you always Max.

All My Love,

Charlotte x x x