“Fundraising became a natural part of our grieving process, as we wanted to honour Dad’s generous spirit and help support the hospital and staff who care for families during difficult times.”
In January 2023, Claire Revans, her sister Amanda, and her mother Gill, lost their father and husband, Alan Noakes, after surgery to remove an aortic aneurysm. Although he briefly regained consciousness after his initial operation, complications required further surgery from which he sadly did not recover. He died peacefully, surrounded by his family, at Addenbrooke’s.
Remembering their father, they said, “Dad was the centre of our family and valued nothing more than the people he loved. He always put his family first and took great pride in supporting and spending time with us. Throughout his life he pursued many different careers, reflecting his adventurous and determined character.” Alan Noakes was a man of many talents and ambitions; at different times, he was a plumber, he ran a restaurant and a pub, owned a seafood and a record shop (not the same shop, you understand), worked as a bookie, and even performed as a belly dancer, before eventually returning to plumbing.
A family man, he adored his grandchildren, and he spent much of his spare time watching them play football, dance, and fish. A lifelong fan of Tottenham Hotspur, this is a loyalty many of the family continue to share.
During his time in intensive care, the family says they received exceptional care and support from staff, especially nurse Carmela Arroyo, who provided “outstanding care and compassion, staying with both Dad and the family throughout the night.” Her kindness left a lasting impression on the family, and they were grateful for the opportunity to thank her again when they attended ACT’s “Candles for Christmas” memorial service.
“He died peacefully surrounded by his family, just as he would have wished.”
After he passed, his daughters and their mother found solace in giving something back to the hospital that helped their family through such a dark period. As Claire and Amanda describe, “Fundraising became a natural part of our grieving process, as we wanted to honour Dad’s generous spirit and help support the hospital and staff who care for families during difficult times.”
To do this, they organised a family walk in his memory during Addenbrooke Charitable Trust’s “Walk to Remember” event. The walk allowed them to come together, support one another, and remember their father while raising money for intensive care services. “For our mum in particular,” Claire and Amanda say, “it provided motivation and purpose, while for all of us it was a chance to grieve, share memories and find strength as a family.”
“Walking in May, surrounded by sunshine and spring flowers, symbolised a new chapter for us. It gave us time to reflect, to heal, and to feel close to Dad in the simple moments along the way.”
To walk in remembrance of your loved one, sign up here for Walk to Remember.
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